Nikiaisha Thompson: championing inclusion, accessibility and the power of representation

Nikiaisha Thompson

“Black History Month reminds me that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.”

Nikiaisha Thompson is a British Sign Language (BSL) Coordinator in the Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication.  

Through her work at Imperial and her advocacy, Nikiaisha aims to raise awareness of the inequalities impacting Deaf communities and individuals, improve access and representation, and empower students to embed inclusivity in areas like medicine and engineering.  

Family legacy 

For Nikiaisha, Black History Month represents pride, reflection and a deep appreciation for her family’s journey.  

“We are part of the global majority, and each of us contributes to history, whether our achievements are publicly recognised or quietly woven into the fabric of our communities.” 

As a second-generation British citizen, Nikiaisha recognises the impact of those who paved the way for future generations – including her parents, who encouraged their children to pursue their passions and create their own futures. 

“Black History Month reminds me that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Reflecting on their contributions keeps me grounded, humble and grateful for the opportunities we have today.” 

Turning experience into action 

After beginning her professional life in law, Nikiaisha moved into education and delivered teaching across a range of sectors before progressing into management roles. 

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), she became increasingly aware of the lack of Deaf inclusivity and accessibility, which influenced her to focus her work on Deaf awareness and British Sign Language (BSL) education. 

She founded ClarityMatterz, which provides Deaf awareness training, consultancy and BSL teaching, to address some of the challenges experienced by Deaf communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside this she also co-founded SignConnects, which is working towards becoming an awarding body for BSL and Deaf culture qualifications.  

Creating inclusive learning at Imperial 

As BSL Coordinator at Imperial, Nikiaisha leads a team of BSL educators and Deaf facilitators, helping to create an inclusive and culturally rich learning environment. 

By engaging with BSL modules, Deaf awareness training, and Deaf culture, students are encouraged to consider accessibility as a fundamental aspect of healthcare, technology, engineering, and innovation. Undergraduate students can take BSL modules through the Imperial Horizons programme.   

Nikiaisha says that BSL modules at Imperial are becoming increasingly popular with medical students wanting to improve their ability to communicate with Deaf patients and reduce barriers to healthcare. She has also seen greater engagement from engineering students who are exploring how inclusive innovation and accessibility can be embedded into design processes, rather than being considered as an afterthought.  

“Through this work, I am ensuring that Deaf perspectives remain at the heart of teaching, learning and innovation at Imperial. 

“This aligns with Imperial’s ambition to create real-world impact through innovation that benefits all communities.” 

She also highlights the importance of recognising the contributions of the Deaf community to science and humanities, something she hopes to incorporate into the curriculum she teaches. 

Giving back to the community  

Nikiaisha is also involved in a range of charity and community work and sits on several community groups that champion inclusivity, including the Brockwell Park Community Partnership. She also works closely with the local council to advocate for greater accessibility and inclusion within the services they provide. 

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