A Parent’s Heart: Breaking Down Barriers
We have marked a significant step forward across the UK, as we celebrate the translation of Season 1 of the Emmy-nominated animated series, Superbook, into British Sign Language (BSL). A milestone achievement aiming to help address the unique challenges and inequalities faced by families within the Deaf community that only those with first-hand experience can truly comprehend.
As a mum – I’ve always wanted the best for my kids. No, I don’t mean a fancy house, or designer clothes, I’ve wanted them to have open doors to opportunity and to have ease of access to the things they want to achieve.
For my eldest, that’s looked like smoothing out social situations and giving her the permission to take her time to warm up to people and places. I’ve sent the emails to school teachers, found non-overwhelming ways for her to engage with other people and let her simply use me as a shield where she’s needed one.
For my son, I’ve sat in all the meetings, met with health visitors, gone to group sessions and done the homework to help along his speech. I’ve listened to the advice, cried over what feels like my failings as a parent, and I’ve prayed for God to help both of my kids when I’ve felt like I don’t have the capability to.
But the challenges I’ve faced on behalf of my kids are small fry. The obstacles they are having to overcome, important as they are to our family, are minor. But I remember a professional telling me something as I sat crying in front of her, not knowing how to help my boy. She said;
‘We have these boxes that we tick at meetings like this, but they’re just a measurement. Some kids just need us to make the box a little bit bigger for them. And that’s okay.’
Just as I then spent the next year making the box a bit bigger for my child, making life easier, rather than expecting him to just ‘get it’ or ‘catch up’, there are parents up and down the country searching for ways to make the path smoother for their children. And how much more vital is this when we’re talking about their eternities, not just their education. We want every child, everywhere, to overcome obstacles and challenges to accessing the gospel, so that they too can meet Jesus and live lives of abundance in Him.
But what about when the playing field just isn’t level — when the resources meant to bring joy and connection aren’t accessible to your child? If we believe that the Gospel really is for everyone, then surely it should be so?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Recently at CBN UK, we recognized this challenge within our mission to share the Gospel through Superbook UK, our Emmy-nominated animated Bible-teaching series. While Superbook has been translated into 60 languages, we realised that in the UK alone over 50,000 children in the Deaf community still face barriers to experiencing the life-changing message of Jesus.
Romans 10:14 (NIV) reminds us:
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
This verse inspired us to act. That’s why we’re translating Superbook into BSL, ensuring that deaf children and their families can access the Gospel together—sometimes for the very first time.
Our approach is rooted in collaboration. By partnering with experts from the Deaf community, we’re not just translating episodes but creating in-vision signing alongside captions. This ensures that Superbook UK becomes a fully accessible resource, enabling families to experience the Gospel in a meaningful way.
This isn’t about being heroes; it’s about answering Jesus’s call to remove unnecessary barriers to the Gospel. With every episode translated, we take a step closer to levelling the playing field and demonstrating God’s love in action. Lending our efforts and putting our shoulder to the plough, advancing in our mission: to enable every child across the UK to experience Jesus in a life-changing, personal way.
‘Just to say I think this project is a wonderful idea! It is great to see more organisations becoming more aware of BSL accessibility and I hope it will improve the futures of deaf children immeasurably.’ – A parent within the Deaf community.
The translation of Series 1 of Superbook into BSL is just the beginning. Our vision extends far beyond this milestone, aiming to make the Gospel accessible to every child in the UK.
Through continued partnerships, we hope to expand these efforts to include additional translations, resources, and innovations for inclusivity.
Even as the UK Founders Club launched and people came on board to make a difference in the UK, hearts were captured by the passion behind our 5 key pillars (find out more here). We found doors opening before we’d even pushed them, as God brought the right people alongside us to create bridges into new communities.
Every new series translated, every new resource created, every milestone reached, is a testament to the difference we can make when we choose to leave no one behind.
We’re celebrating a significant achievement. With Series 1 of Superbook translated into BSL, parents across the UK can share the Gospel with their children in ways that were previously impossible.
Mums like me can now more easily smooth the way for their kids—bringing the message of the Gospel into their home and reminding them that they are loved, valued, and never alone. That they too can have a friend in Jesus.
It’s not too late to pull up your seat at the table. You can join us on this mission. We still have 4 more series of Superbook to translate into British Sign Language.
By becoming a member of the UK Founders Club, an extraordinary community of nation-changers, your support will enable us to continue creating life-changing resources for children and families across the nation. Together, we can ensure that the message of Jesus is truly for everyone.
Click here to learn more and join today.
A Parent’s Heart: Breaking Down Barriers
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