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A major UK university has banned clapping from certain events to make a more inclusive environment for those with anxiety or sensory issues.
The University of Manchester will now move to replace clapping with jazz hands – the British Sign Language equivalent.
According to student newspaper, the Mancunion, The Students’ Union passed the resolution to ban clapping at their events on September 27.
“It was argued that the loud noise of traditional clapping and whooping pose an issue to students with anxiety or sensory issues. BSL clapping – or, jazz hands – would be a more inclusive form of expression,” the paper reported.
The University of Manchester has banned clapping at student union events, according to the student newspaper. Image: Getty (file image)
While the motion received the necessary 66 per cent for the vote to be passed, journalist Piers Morgan wasn’t quite as receptive to the idea, Tweeting “university students banning clapping gives ME anxiety”.
Morgan wasn’t the one unimpressed by the decision either. TV presenter Jeremy Vine tweeted a photo of soldiers in the First World War and said: “Students will instead use silent ‘jazz hands’. Glad some brave young souls decided to ignore the difficulties caused by sudden noises 100 years ago.”
A NUS spokeswoman said jazz hands allows those with disabilities or sensory conditions to participate in events. They are now calling on others to follow suit.
“We should all aspire to improve our public spaces so that all members of society feel comfortable and able to contribute fully,” they said.
The spokesperson denied the newspapers claims that they had issued a blanket ban o clapping, saying rather they were simply encouraging people to use jazz hands as an alternative.
“We are not banning clapping, because it is unrealistic to think we could police that sort of thing. It’s more ‘encourage’. There are no penalties for people using traditional clapping,” she said.
Jazz hands, the BSL version of clapping, has been pitched as an alternative. Image: Getty
