Clapping banned and replaced with jazz hands by student union over 'anxiety' concerns

Clapping has been banned by one student union keen to be more inclusive towards those with anxiety or sensory issues.
Clapping has been banned by a student union. Photo: The crowd clap along at an unrelated gig in Doncaster. Picture: Andrew RoeClapping has been banned by a student union. Photo: The crowd clap along at an unrelated gig in Doncaster. Picture: Andrew Roe
Clapping has been banned by a student union. Photo: The crowd clap along at an unrelated gig in Doncaster. Picture: Andrew Roe

Jazz hands will replace clapping, whooping, and cheering at the University of Manchester student union events.

-> Devastated family ask people to share this photo after Leeds teenager's tragic drug deathAt its first union meeting of the year, it was argued that the traditional loud noise should be replaced by the more inclusive form of expression - British Sign Language (BSL) clapping.

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According to the student newspaper, Mancunion: "It resolved to swap out audible clapping for BSL clapping at SU events, and to encourage student groups and societies to do the same, and to include BSL clapping as a part of inclusion training."

The motion was authored by liberation and access officer Sara Khan, and received little opposition from the senate.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has been encouraging the use of BSL clapping since 2015.

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