Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about legal recognition for British Sign Language (BSL).

The then UK Government recognised BSL as a language in its own right in March 2003, and I am proud that this took place.

The British Sign Language Bill is a Private Members’ Bill which looks to make BSL an official language of the United Kingdom. It will also provide for a British Sign Language Council to promote and advise on the use of BSL. I will follow its progress with interest.

As you know, BSL is not currently granted any particular status by UK-wide legislation. The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on employers and other service providers, among others, to make reasonable adjustments. I know the British Deaf Association has raised concerns that the Equality Act does not make specific reference to BSL, and does not focus on the value and integrity of BSL as it does not protect or promote it as a language.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 recognised that d/Deaf people, as part of the community of disabled people, have the right to use BSL/English interpreters and to receive equal access to services. Yet we have seen d/Deaf people shut out of vital public service announcements as the UK Government’s televised coronavirus briefings have lacked a BSL interpreter.

More widely, I welcome the introduction of legislation that will allow for BSL interpreters to assist profoundly d/Deaf jurors in jury deliberation rooms. However, I believe the Government is not going far enough and I would like to have seen it expanded so that there is discretion within the system for other forms of communication support to be provided as an alternative to a BSL interpreter. Sadly the Government did not accept this.

It is vital that we ensure people who are d/Deaf or have hearing loss can fully participate in society. It is important we recognise the challenges of lived experience that go beyond medical impairments and consider how we remove societal barriers.

Yours Sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP