For many years there has been a British Deaf History Society, but this has not included Scotland. In April 2008, an open meeting was organised by Scottish Council on Deafness (SCoD) to discuss this very issue. Over 50 people crowded the Deaf Connections Theatre (in Glasgow) and following presentations, it was decided to establish a Scottish society, which was later named Deaf History Scotland.

A steering group of seven people was formed and their tasks were to draft a constitution, a membership structure and a programme of activities. The Steering Group met three times in Glasgow. They not only completed all their tasks, for they also ran a logo competition, commissioning a web developer to design and develop this new web site and made arrangements for an inaugural conference which took place at Deaf Connections in Glasgow on 25th October 2008.

The members of the Steering Group were: Margaret Aitken (Glasgow), Pam Bruce (Dundee), Michael Davis (Peebles), John Denerley (Dumfries), Harold Nicolson (Edinburgh), Vicky Paterson (Dundee) and Michael Sabbell (Stonehaven). Lilian Lawson, SCoD Director gave the secretariat support to the Steering Group. John and Gordon Hay of British Deaf History Society also attended the Steering Group meetings as advisers.

The Inaugural or First Conference was organised to celebrate both the establishment of the new organisation and the recognition of the importance of Scottish Deaf History. The new Constitution was approved and an interim Executive Committee was elected to serve for one year.

Download our Constitution here (draft) >>> PDF

Picture of DHS Steering Group (taken October 2008).

There are three membership categories:

a) Full Members of DHS
This is open to individuals (deaf or hearing) aged 18 years and over

b) Young Person Members of DHS
This is open to individuals (deaf or hearing) aged 18 to 25 years.

c) Honorary Members
Honorary members may be appointed at the discretion of the said Executive Committee. Honorary members shall not be entitled to vote or to be elected to the Executive Committee.

Membership Benefits

Full members have the right to

Young Person Members have the right to

But they have no voting rights and are not eligible for election to the Executive Committee.

DHS membership year runs from April 1st to March 31st the following year.

Download Membership Application Form here >> PDF

General Meetings & AGMs

Minutes of General Meetings and AGMs will be available here

Annual Reports & Audited Accounts will also appear here