Cornwall Airport Newquay has trained 75 members of staff to sign using Makaton language, a system which uses signs and symbols alongside spoken word to help children and adults who have additional communication needs.
The airport claims it is the UK’s first Makaton-friendly airport. Over 6,000 passengers with additional needs used the airport in 2018, and it is hoped the move will prompt more passengers to feel comfortable using its services.
More than 100,000 children and adults in the UK use Makaton. Most people start using it as children and then naturally stop when they no longer need the signs and symbols, according to the Makaton charity. However some people will need to use it for life.
The move follows a string of instances where people have learned and adopted Makaton, raising the profile of the language and its importance. Back in November, ‘Catastrophe’ actor Rob Delaney became the first celebrity to host CBeebies Bedtime Story in Makaton, in honour of his late son Henry who died from a brain tumour.
In a special episode of the CBeebies show, Delaney read aloud and signed ‘Ten In The Bed’ by Penny Dale. “Our family learned Makaton sign language to be able to communicate with our son Henry, who couldn’t speak due to a tracheotomy,” he said at the time. “We’re sad Henry isn’t here to see it but we’re happy other families will get to enjoy a story told in Makaton.”
More recently, BBC Newsround covered the story of 16-year-old Jake who is the UK’s first Makaton-friendly DJ.
In the UK, the signs used in Makaton are from British Sign Language (BSL), while the symbols are black and white drawings which show what words mean.
Heather Sturt, Cornwall airport’s passenger and customer services manager, said having staff trained in Makaton will help to ensure they provide the best experience for all passengers coming through the airport and are able to communicate effectively with everyone.
The training was carried out by a tutor from the Makaton Charity, alongside Cornwall Accessible Activities Programme (CAAP).
Staff from multiple departments took part including passenger services, security, café, airside services and the management office.
Sturt said the airport aims to give staff “an awareness of as many disabilities as possible” and they have previously completed training in assisting passengers with autism, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, anxiety, and hearing and sight loss, as well as passengers who require assistance with mobility.