An anthology of poetry, essays and photographs - Stairs and Whispers: D/deaf and Disabled Poets Write Back - that was backed by a Crowdfunder appeal will be launched at Birmingham City University on Saturday 3 June. Sandra Alland, Khairani Barokka and Daniel Sluman have co-edited the anthology, and the launch begins at 2pm, with an afternoon seminar of events, talks and film screenings, and an evening reading from 6-8pm from the book.

The term D/deaf describes those who are Deaf (sign language users) or deaf (who are hard of hearing but who have English as their first language and may lipread and/or use hearing aids).

Earlier this week there’s a pre-launch event at the Last Word festival at the Roundhouse in London on Wednesday 31 May at 7pm with poet Raymond Antrobus giving a spoken word performance and speaking about his experiences, along with a short film about Deaf culture. The Stairs and Whispers editors will present poems from the book and connected video poems in BSL and English, with captions.

The anthology was backed by a Crowdfunder appeal that raised over £2,000 earlier this year.