Major New CSW Book

History of CSWs
Maria Bailey and Andy Owen

This major new book is a landmark volume that charts the history of perhaps the most misunderstood vocation in the D/deaf world; Communication Support Workers (CSWs). The date of the first qualified CSWs entering the workforce was 1987; therefore 2012 is the Silver Jubilee year of the CSW. This 300 page paperback is a fitting tribute to mark twenty five years of qualified CSWs in education.

‘History of CSWs’ contains interviews from those who were significant players over the last twenty five years and others, including:
 CSWs who undertook the initial training courses in the late 1980s
 People who were involved in developing the original courses
 Tutors who taught on the courses
 People working in the field of deaf education at that time
 Interpreters who were there at the time
 Students who use CSWs
 Employers of CSWs now
Some of the early CSW students explain their version of the training and what it felt like to be the first qualified CSWs. At the end of each report the question is asked ‘Where are you now?’ because the authors wanted to find out if any of those original CSWs have remained in the profession. Peter Llewellyn-Jones, the eminent interpreter trainer, explains what was happening at the time in the field, the feelings of interpreters toward CSWs, and why the Association of Sign Language Interpreters was set up. Past and present chairs of Signature explain their views of CSW registration. Chris Green, a co-author of ‘The Rise of The Communicator’ (published in 1992 but out of print) explains what it felt like from his point of view, and the stresses and strains of gaining access for D/deaf students in education.

Maria Bailey describes the process of developing the contemporary Signature qualification for CSWs as part of the government funded I-Sign Project. She describes the drive to finalisation and accreditation of the CSW National Occupational Standards. Andy Owen writes with no-holds-barred about how ACSW was set up and its controversial passage to the present day.

The role of the CSW over the last twenty five years and the path to seeking the recognition it so justly deserves has not been smooth. ‘History of CSWs’ contains relevant journal articles, research papers and literature published about CSWs and their role - not all complimentary - the authors aiming to give a balanced view. In many ways it has been a hard-fought battle – a profession strewn with controversy at the outset, and with a debate that still continues. ‘History of CSWs’ charts the journey, but also attempts to provide a contemporary political view, the struggles for recognition and respect, and presents a summing-up of the situation in the year of the CSW Jubilee. ‘History of CSWs’ then defines the discrete role of the CSW, which will be of interest to CSW trainees and many more.

‘History of CSWs’ is a worthy and readable record of the twenty five years during which the role of CSW has come of age, from the perspective of the people who were actively involved in the journey.

‘History of CSWs’ will be launched in Derby at the annual conference of NATED (The National Association for Tertiary Education for the Deaf) and ACSW (The Association of Communication Support Workers), on 30 June 2012. Pre-orders of copies can be taken by the publisher, Talk With Sign Books.

Place your orders for the fortcoming book here:

http://www.talkwithsign.com/history-csws-communication-support-workers-p-856.html?osCsid=2h382nr7rs43p5p089m42t1d17

Just to let you know that the History of CSW book will be sold with a 10% discount on the day of the conference only. Andy and I will be happy to sign copies if requested.