The University of Manchester Students Union has banned clapping (Picture: Getty)The university is asking students to use 'jazz hands' in place of applause at uni events.
The University of Manchester Students Union has banned clapping and cheering, in a bid to prevent people suffering from anxiety or sensory issues.
Students are instead asked to use 'jazz hands' at functions and events.
According to the student newspaper, Mancunion, jazz hands are more inclusive.
They wrote: ‘It was argued that the loud noise of traditional clapping and whooping pose an issue to students with anxiety or sensory issues. BSL (British Sign Language) clapping – or, jazz hands – would be a more inclusive form of expression.’
Sara Khan, liberation and access officer, put the motion forward in a bid to ‘encourage student groups and societies to do the same, and to include BSL clapping as part of inclusion training.’
The motion was then passed by receiving the required 66 per cent majority.
However, a student appeared on Good Morning Britain denying that it is banned.
She said they are encouraging others to consider not clapping in order to accommodate two students with sensory issues, accessibility needs and autism.
The newspaper noted that jazz hands have been widely used by the National Union of Students since 2015.
