Posted: 26 March, 2026
Wheels for All has partnered with Warrington Deaf Society to launch “Deaf-Friendly Cycling Training”, a new initiative making inclusive cycling sessions and volunteering opportunities more accessible for Deaf participants and volunteers across the UK.
This partnership unites two organisations committed to a shared mission: breaking down barriers to sport and community involvement for d/Deaf people, and creating meaningful opportunities to participate, contribute, and belong.
As part of the initiative, Emily Keatley and Richard Jones from Warrington Deaf Society have produced a dedicated British Sign Language (BSL) video, highlighting essential cycling-related signs and phrases commonly used during inclusive sessions. As a second phase of the project, easy-to-use printed materials will be developed to support staff and volunteers in delivering confident, effective, and inclusive sessions.
All resources will be hosted on the UK Deaf Sport platform and Wheels for All website, free and open to the public, partners, and participants. By increasing confidence, improving communication, and fostering understanding, the resources aim to ensure that d/Deaf participants and volunteers feel fully supported, included, and welcome every time they ride.
Emily Keatley, PA & Fundraiser at Warrington Deaf Society, said:
“This partnership is an important step in making community sport more accessible for d/Deaf people. By giving staff and volunteers the tools to communicate basic cycling instructions and greetings in BSL, Wheels for All is helping break down barriers and showing a real commitment to inclusion. We’re delighted to have worked together on this project and can’t wait to see the difference it makes at sessions.”
Ian Tierney, Chief Executive of Wheels for All, said:
“Inclusive cycling is at the heart of everything we do, and communication is a huge part of that. This training ensures our teams are better equipped to welcome d/Deaf participants and d/Deaf volunteers, creating an environment where everyone feels understood, supported and able to enjoy the freedom of cycling. Working alongside Warrington Deaf Society and UK Deaf Sport strengthens our commitment to making both cycling and volunteering accessible to all.”
We would like to add an additional thank you to UK Deaf Sport who have endorsed this resource and provided additional training resources which include further detail into areas people may wish to learn more about.
Shannon Howarth, Partnerships Manager (Participation) UK Deaf Sport, said:
‘It is fantastic to see Wheels for All and Warrington Deaf Society create a bespoke resource focussing on deaf people’s inclusion in cycling. We know to create meaningful opportunities for the deaf community to be active and volunteer, partnerships such as these need to exist to ensure everyone has a positive experience.
We look forward to working with Wheels for All further and continuing to strengthen our partnership’
As part of the partnership, all three organisations are also encouraging d/Deaf people and allies to explore volunteering opportunities – from supporting local cycling sessions to helping deliver community programmes and events.
Anyone interested in getting involved can find out more at:
• Wheels for All – www.wheeslforall.org.uk
• Warrington Deaf Society – Warrington Deaf Club
• UK Deaf Sport Home - UK Deaf Sport
Together, the three organisations hope the initiative will open more doors for d/Deaf people to participate in sport, connect with their communities and take on meaningful volunteering roles.
Check out the resources here: https://wheelsforall.org.uk/training/deaf-friendly-cycling-training
