Equal Sign - A Positive Vision

Equal Sign - Who we are

Equal Sign is a translation service provided by EyeGaze - a Bristol based social enterprise. EyeGaze was established in late 2003 by its’ three directors (Neil, Natalie and Mick) all of whom have worked for the Centre for Deaf Studies at Bristol University. With over 15 years combined experience of working with the Deaf community on a wide and varied number of projects the directors of EyeGaze have gained considerable knowledge in a number of areas relating to the Deaf community and to hearing parents with Deaf children in a bilingual home.

This mixture of skills and diverse experiences affords EyeGaze an holistic view of all issues surrounding communication, information delivery and the Deaf community.’

The EyeGaze Directors

Mick Canavan

Mick Canavan is the father of two children one of whom is bilingual in British Sign Language and written English, the other who is tri-lingual in French, English and British Sign Language. Mick became interested and passionately involved in Deaf politics after the 'recognition' that his first daughter was Deaf almost 13 years ago. Mick moved from Brighton to Bristol so that his daughter could be educated at Elmfield school, one of the few schools where children are taught in British Sign Language and where their Deaf identity is treated with respect. Bristol also offered the chance to work at the Centre for Deaf Studies at Bristol University and Mick worked on a number of diverse projects during the seven years that he worked there before leaving to set up
EyeGaze.

Natalie Smith

Natalie Smith is a member of the Deaf community who has a rich Deaf heritage, coming from a family with nine generations of Deafness. She has a deep knowledge and understanding of the Deaf community, its culture and language. Natalie is a native British Sign Language user.

Natalie has previously worked as research assistance at the Centre for Deaf Studies, Bristol University on two projects - WISDOM and SL Codec where she was involved in all aspects of research, analysis of results and communicating with the Deaf Community and Deaf focus groups.

Natalie was also involved in the researching, translations and development of scripts for BSL film production as well as presenting the materials and working on the post production.

Since joining EyeGaze Natalie has developed her presenting skills and has translated, developed, monitored and presented BSL materials for organisations including:

• British Deaf Association - Sign Community Web Site
• SS Great Britain Museum Guide
• BBC open-I BSL Videos
• Tate Britain - Degas, Sickert and Toulouse-Lautrec Exhibition
• HTV News - BSL presenter
• Valerie Davey - MP Bristol West

Neil Finlay

Neil Finlay is a multimedia design and implementation specialist who has spent over five years conducting research and development into the delivery of sign language video over fixed and wireless networks. An expert in developing applications for mobile multimedia clients and in video post production Neil can usually find a solution to any problem that involves sign language video.