Elizabeth Bojas, from a Deaf family, has been actively involved in the Deaf community from a young age. She is passionate about increasing access to information, empowering Deaf individuals, and promoting awareness.

​

As a Deaf Relay (intralingual) interpreter, Elizabeth works with BSL/English interpreters to facilitate communication for Deaf clients who are not fluent in BSL, adapting the language to suit individual needs. She is also a registered BSL/English Translator and has extensive experience of in-vision presenting.

​

Elizabeth is dedicated to education and personal growth. She maintains a healthy work-life balance, enjoying sports, travel, and winter sports, while continuing to develop her teaching career.

​

Ayesha Gavin is a Deaf Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) and PGCE-qualified BSL teacher with over 20 years of experience in education and translation. Since establishing her own business in 2010, she has worked across a range of sectors, including primary schools, universities, the police, and the NHS.

​

Passionate about communication and accessibility, Ayesha specialises in translating between British Sign Language (BSL) and English. She also has a working knowledge of Irish Sign Language and Urdu, enabling clear communication in diverse contexts. Outside of work, Ayesha enjoys spending time with her two children, two cats, and husband.

​

Jay Thomas-Morton is Executive Director of CommPlus, a national provider of British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting, training, and media services. Deaf since birth and bilingual in BSL and English, Jay brings over 20 years of professional experience in interpreting, translation, and Deafblind communication, alongside his own lived experience.

Jay was raised in a hearing family where every member is a qualified interpreter. Now married to a Deaf partner and a father to three Deaf sons, he lives within a fully bilingual, bicultural household. This unique background gives him deep insight into both the Deaf world and the interpreting profession, and how to bridge the differing expectations of each.

Jay holds qualifications as a Registered Sign Language Interpreter, Translator, Assessor and Verifier. He also serves on two national committees: DIN (Deaf Interpreters Network) and FOH (Friends of Heathlands). Jay is widely respected for his leadership, cultural awareness, and commitment to Deaf-led values in professional practice.

This session examines the blurred boundary between being a Deaf service user and becoming a professional provider. It challenges traditional conceptions of expertise, questioning how lived experience reshapes professional practice and relationships in the sign language interpreting and translation field.