The BDHS was established in 1993 to promote and advance the interest in the discovery, preservation and conservation of the histories of Deaf people, their communities, culture and language. It has no staff and is run entirely by volunteers.

A major activity of the BDHS is the continued upkeep of the Deaf Museum and Art Gallery, which includes a research library and the BDHS Deaf Archives. All these facilities are unfortunately closed at the present time due to Covid-19 which made it necessary to relocate to Manchester Deaf Centre. Funding has been secured from the Department of Media, Culture and Sport’s Culture Recovery Fund to reopen as soon as Coronavirus Lockdown measures allow.

Other key activities include the publication of the Deaf History Journal three times a year, and organising conferences and seminars as required. One of the most successful conferences in recent years has been the organisation of the 9th Deaf History International Conference held in Edinburgh in conjunction with our partners, Deaf History Scotland. The BDHS’s Research & Publications Department carries out the publishing of books on Deaf History. To promote some of these books, we hold book launches from time to time. These books are listed in our Shop pages.