In fact, 2007 was the second year at the show for Junior Sterling, who pioneered his company Sterling Vision after spotting a gap in the market for designs aimed at the disabled. The decision to launch Sterling Vision was based on Sterling’s own experiences as the only disabled person in a family of eight and feeling the need for a ‘voice’. It was spurred on by the recent introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act.

It was while studying NVQs in sign making between 2000 and 2004 that Sterling discovered a way of making his voice heard, and a way of communicating to other disabled people and raising awareness of the issues through the printwear industry. “I found that voice at Queens Alexandra College – found amongst the blind, partially sighted, deaf and wheelchair bound; among those suffering from Autism, Aspergers Syndrome and Dyslexia; and within those who had been refused entry to schools,” says Sterling. “It was within these people I found myself and the friendships that I shall never forget.”

The idea of using promotional wear as a way of raising awareness of disabled issues came to him after he attended an exhibition in 2004 as part of his studies and returned home with a promotional item. Three years on from that day, and realising while at the Printwear & Promotion exhibition 2006 that he had spotted a niche in the market, his designs now include Braille, BSL (British Sign Language) as well as the Moon alphabet (a tactile alphabet devised by William Moon for blind communities who find Braille difficult).

“It was while exhibiting my ideas at Printwear & Promotion 2006 that I appreciated the power of working towards a goal, despite the difficulty, because I realised there were no other companies exhibiting my type of ideas,” explains Sterling.

Designs such as the Braille and Moon alphabet can be applied to T-shirts, hats/caps, shoes or belts using diamonté, while the BSL Sign Language (or sign languages from other countries) can be applied using Flock material. Sterling has now incorporated designs based on the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

He explains: “In the run up to these events companies will be looking at how to get involved and may not know how. But advertisements in Braille, Moon and Sign Language are a way of promoting disability as an educational mechanism and a fashion, as well as being a way in which your little ones can wear something remaining anonymous,” he says.

Sterling Vision also provides the solution to a blind or deaf person looking for a pair of trainers, a T-shirt or a hat featuring Braille, Moon or Sign Language, for instance, adds Sterling. The tactile nature of the designs means they also appeal to both able and disabled communities, he says. “But the most important thing to remember is that all our designs are about sight.”

Designs include the ‘Angel’ design, based on Sterling’s own alphabet, and a ‘Merry Christmas’ design in BSL, which could also be suitable for seasonal greetings cards, suggests Sterling. Other designs include the story of Louis Braille, where the letters incorporate pictures to tell his tale, and a ‘Scotland’ design where the words ‘The Brave’ are spelt out in Braille using diamonté.

Sterling hopes to return to the Printwear & Promotion exhibition next year with a full range of finished products.

He adds: “I feel that there are many small and corporate companies that could benefit from our expertise and should be thinking about some of these issues.”

Contact: sterlingvision04@yahoo.co.uk

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