Top 25 Rachel Shenton Quotes

In the deaf community, there is exactly that – a community. It’s like nothing I see in the hearing world. It’s old fashioned, I guess, and beautiful.

I’ve done my fair share of fundraising over the years, and I know how difficult that can be, so I could only imagine people’s reaction when I was asking them to part with their hard-earned cash for a movie.

I think I’d really enjoy doing some more theatre, because that’s where I started off.

Millions of children all over the world live in silence and face communication barriers – and, particularly, access to education.

Due to the closure of many deaf schools in the U.K., deaf children are forced to attend mainstream school. I don’t mind this idea: I think it’s inclusive, and it better prepares children for life in a hearing world. I don’t mind this idea – if that child gets the right support.

Inequality within the deaf and hard of hearing community is something I feel really passionate about and always will do.

I always say deafness is a silent disability: you can’t see, and it’s not life-threatening, so it has to touch your life in some way in order for it to be on your radar.

Dad could speak with a strong voice. And luckily, he was very good at lip-reading, so he was able to disguise his deafness well. He tried various hearing aids but would find them fiddly and uncomfortable, and worse, they often made horrible high-pitched noises.

Everybody should learn sign language or, at least, ‘Hello, do you need help? How are you?’

There are things like the importance of having a showreel, a headshot, a cover note, a tailored CV – these are all really important when you are trying out for roles.

I really enjoy being involved in ‘Hollyoaks Later’ – it’s great.

It’s really important to remember that disability is diversity, and that disabled actors and disabilities are something that is hugely under-represented in film.

My ideal would be to hop both sides of the Atlantic to work, as I’m sure every actor would.

I’m beyond excited to join the cast of ‘Switched At Birth’ and to be part of such a great show on a great network.

Australia is on my to-do list – I have never been, and everyone says how wonderful it is.

I feel that Britain is a rather self-deprecating nation: you’re almost considered egotistical to say you’re good at anything.

I’m so excited, and I feel very lucky, as to be working in L.A. is a bit of a dream come true for any actor. I definitely have to have a few ‘pinch myself’ moments as I’m driving to work in Hollywood!

There are many issues within the deaf community but, for me, none more important than access to education for deaf children.

For me, film is an extremely powerful way of conveying a message to a mainstream audience.

I’ve seen a lot of people in my life base their self-worth on what job they book or don’t book, what car they drive, or whether they can afford a house deposit or not.

I’m hoping I can fill a gap by helping to advise people on acting mechanics – the kinds of things that, looking back, I would have really benefited from as a teenager.

Deafness and sign language are extremely close to my heart.

When you’re an actor, it’s really great to be busy – that’s what we all want!

My dad lost his hearing in the last 18 months of his life, and as a result, I witnessed first-hand the effect that this can have on a family.

I stay in touch with a lot of the cast – Jess Fox, Jen Metcalfe and Nikki Sanderson and probably more that I’ve missed out. It’s a cliche, but it really is like a family at ‘Hollyoaks.’