I'd like to teach the world to sign

SignSong performer Jayne Fletcher tells us why bass is a bummer, that she never goes out without eye makeup and about getting the brush-off from X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent as she answers our questions.

What is it about SignSong which attracts you?
As I was born Deaf, my singing voice is horrendous, so I reserve it only for the shower! My mom suggested I should trying signing to songs instead, and that is where my love of SignSong came from. This opened up a whole new world for me. Using my first language, BSL (British Sign Language), I was able to turn my “disability” into my ability.

What do you enjoy about being a performer?
I love being a performer because I can give access to Deaf people to the music, and hearing people access to a familiar song, but in a visual way. I think by signing a song, it gives a deeper understanding of what the song is about, and you don’t need to know Sign Language to appreciate it. People often comment that they find my performance very powerful and moving, and quite emotional.

What do you not like about it?
I don’t like bass! I find it difficult to perform to some songs where the lyrics are too hard to hear. Normally I can follow the beats and having learnt the lyrics I am able to follow the song. But sometimes the bass sound can affect this or echo.

What makes you angry?
People’s misconception that Deaf people can’t perform to music. When I contact venues about performing at their events, often they presume that I am an interpreter and brush me off. They do not see me as an performer in my own right. This happened recently on X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

What one thing would you do to improve the lives of Deaf and disabled people?
Every single person all over the UK and the world would sign and have knowledge and awareness about Deaf and disabled people.

Name three things you never go out without.
Hearing aids, iPhone and eye makeup.

Who’s your favourite Deaf or disabled person of all time?
Sean Forbes (deafandloud.com) of D-PAN or Deaf Professional Arts Network, a non-profit organization originally established in 2006 in Ferndale, Michigan as the Deaf Performing Artists Network.

What’s the funniest thing anyone’s ever said about your impairment?
Something I get asked a lot – can Deaf people drive? Fortunately we use our eyes to drive and not our ears!!!

Do you have any special hidden talents?
I know all of Ronan Keating’s songs off by heart. He has been my idol all my life, and I was lucky to have a dream of mine come true when I performed one of his songs with him on stage at Wembley!

• Jane is currently producing a video of a SignSong performance of a charity single which will be available for download on 3 Dec. Check out signsong.org.uk