Neighbor Jennifer Oakley said it’s important for everyone on the street to feel included.

He said: “I think it’s a really great idea; everyone in the world should be included, whether they speak British Sign Language, English or whatever language they speak, it’s good to include everyone.”

William Stavert, who is also deaf and uses BSL, said he remembers a time when the language was rarely used.

“When I was very young, sign language wasn’t even allowed, you had to learn to lip read and when I was six there was very limited sign language available.

“There were close to 50 words in the vocabulary at the time, and there was definitely a language deprivation in deaf education at that time, from the 60s to the 70s.

“I think it’s really important now for deaf children to have sign language and to be able to access the world around them for their development and well-being,” she said.