Aftab Hussain can give people an insight into the difficulties faced by the deaf. Photo: Michelle Heseltine

Sound is vital to communication, so imagine being part of a silent and solitary world.

For Aftab Hussain and the millions of other deaf and hard of hearing people living in the UK it is a reality they face in their daily lives. Yet it needn't be.

Disability shouldn't hold anyone back and Aftab is proof you can fulfill your ambitions - and help others in the process - with the launch of his rather unusual business.

The father-of-three from Bradford learned the skills to become a British Sign Language instructor through his own disability.

He was born profoundly deaf. He learned British Sign Language in school and communicates with his family in Punjabi sign language.

Speaking through an interpreter at the offices of Bradford Chamber of Commerce where he was preparing for his first BSL seminar, Aftab explains the business he launched last September.

His interactive and fun taster sessions are designed to give those working in education and business an insight into the difficulties deaf people face and highlight the benefits learning basic BSL can bring.

Delegates learn how to communicate with confidence in social situations through topics such as finger spelling, family, food, emotions, greetings/salutations and transport.

Aftab had the idea to start his own business while working for Bradmet, an organisation assisting Asians with disabilities in Bradford.

"I used my skills as a deaf person to go out and meet families with deaf children to try and enable them to break through communication barriers or any other barriers they face in life."

He spent nine years at Bradmet. Redundancy and encouragement from contacts he made through his career prompted him to go it alone.

Aftab credits his success to his colleague, Chris, who he met through Bradmet and who enabled him to make contacts with schools where he taught, and Colin Holmes, business counsellor at Bradford Chamber, who assisted him in launching the seminars.

Colin met Aftab through Kick-Start, a programme run by Bradford Council and administered by Bradford Chamber of Commerce and a consortium of partners, which helps young entrepreneurs to be self-employed. The Government-funded programme helps candidates with their business plans and marketing strategies, and also provides mentoring.

Colin says Aftab's workshops raise awareness and promote understanding. For example, he says, knowing how to say hello' using basic sign language helps to breaks down barriers.

I ask Aftab how important the taster sessions are. "It is absolutely vital that any deaf person going into an environment can be met or greeted in their own language. If you have lost your wallet and you go into the nearest bank and say I have lost my card' and somebody can understand a few basic responses, it is invaluable."

Through his business, Aftab aims to open the doors to communication. He always considered himself to be a positive role model to the deaf and hard of hearing families he met while working for Bradmet. Taking his skills into industry broadens the scope.

"It is the first time I have stepped into the business environment and it's a great opportunity."

I tell him he must be proud of his achievement. "I'm positive rather than proud," he smiles.

For more information, e-mail aftabdeaf.hussain@ blueyonder.co.uk.

12:56pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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