BSL-09 Julie Doyle, BSL Interpreter

Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament

Bil Aelod Arfaethedig – Mark Isherwood AS | Proposed Member Bill - Mark Isherwood MS

Datblygu'r Bil Iaith Arwyddion Prydain (BSL) (Cymru) | Development of the British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill

Ymateb gan: Julie Doyle, Dehonglydd BSL | Evidence from: Julie Doyle, BSL Interpreter

The need for legislation

The British Sign Language Act 2022 requires the UK Government to issue guidance about the promotion and facilitation of the use of British Sign Language (BSL). This however only applies in England and not to the Welsh Government or public bodies in Wales such as councils or the NHS. The British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill aims to place equivalent specific duties on the Welsh Government and public bodies in Wales.

Question 1: Do you think there is a need for this legislation? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Yes because for too long Deaf people have been marginalised and ignored. Too many promises but still barriers are faced everyday that hinder opportunity for full participation in all walks of life. The bill/Act will govern protection and scrutiny and accountability. Deaf people consulted for years but never acted upon or even followed up. Deaf community are beleaguered, but will continue to fight for their rights - to have our indigenous language protected. Sorry but Governemnt and senedd cannot be trusted to truly protect our language from erosion and extinction.

Question 2: Do you agree or disagree with the goals that the Bill seeks to achieve? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Agree. Deaf people need to be truly heard and involved in co producing in all aspects of political life.

British Sign Language

Question 3: Do you agree that the Bill should include proposals to promote and facilitate the use of BSL and its tactile forms?

Yes

Question 4: Do you agree that the Bill should support the various Welsh regional dialects of BSL?

Yes

Question 5: Do you think that the term ‘BSL users’ should be replaced with ‘BSL signers’, recognising that BSL is a language which includes both deaf and hearing signers? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Don't know.

Linguistically British Sign language signers feels clumsy. Not overly bothered either way- users also covers heari by people who sign.

Question 6: Do you think that the term ‘deaf BSL signers’ can be used when referring to BSL users/signers who are medically or audiologically deaf? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Don't know.

As above. I feel this question is a waste and misses the point of this consultation. Why ask this here- more important things to discuss.

Deaf Communities

Question 7: Do you agree or disagree that deaf communities:

a) currently have a voice in the design and delivery of the public services that they use? Please tick the answer that most applies and provide any comments.

Disagree

Deaf people have been consulted for years but NO action taken or even fed back. No real participation has ever happened. Due to audit and presided views- service FOR Deaf ppl rather than with. Hearing think they know best

b) should have a formalised voice in the design and delivery of the public services that they use, especially ones targeted at deaf people. Please tick the answer that most applies and provide any comments.

Strongly agree.

Deaf people are experts on Their own lived experiences. Been oppressed by hearing people so why should the oppressors design services for them? So much mistrust out there atm.

Question 8: Are there any specific communication methods used by deaf people that you would like the Bill to reference/include?

Just BSL

Barriers that exist for deaf people

Question 9: What do you believe are the main barriers that currently exist for deaf people and/or their families in the following areas. Please tick all that apply and provide information/examples on each area:

Education; Health; Social Care.

Deaf people are receiving a second rate health service. Just trying to get an appointment when you’re deaf is nigh on impossible. Systems very focussed on hearing to make calls. Waiting for I terpeters delays treatment.

Education- needs bilingual education! Integration has failed. Deaf kids lovely sad depressed and language deprived.

Establishing a BSL Commissioner for Wales

The Bill proposes to establish a BSL Commissioner who would promote and facilitate the use of BSL, and would have the same powers as other minority language Commissioners such as in the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011.

Question 10: Do you agree or disagree with the proposal to establish a BSL Commissioner for Wales, and, do you have any different suggestions or alternatives? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Don't know

Question 11: The proposed remit of the Commissioner would be to:

§ formulate BSL standards;

§ establish a BSL Advisory Panel;

§ produce reports every 5 years in BSL, Welsh and English on the position of BSL in that period;

§ provide guidance and a process for public bodies to promote and facilitate BSL in their respective domains;

§ establish a procedure for the investigation of complaints.

Do you agree with the proposed remit of the Commissioner, and are there any other provisions you would like to include in the Commissioner’s remit? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Yes would be good to have if possible. Or st least scrutiny committee.

Question 12: Do you agree that the BSL Commissioner and the BSL Advisory Panel members should be fluent users/signers?

Yes

Question 13: Do you think that the proposed BSL Commissioner and Advisory Panel should prioritise the following. Please tick all that apply and provide reasons for your answer.

Early years language support for deaf children and their families; Enabling deaf users/signers to lead the development of policies and implementation of services for BSL users/signers.

I’ve prioritised these two. Access to interpreters is all well and good but we need to train more and in wales too. To a high standard.

Education and families deaf kids signing is imperative as this sets up good mental heath for the future.

Question 14: Do you agree or disagree with the proposal to place a duty on the Welsh Government to prepare and publish an annual BSL report? Please provide reasons for your answer.

Yes.

Don’t trust govt to stick to promises without duty to report.

Question 15: Are there any other issues that you would like to raise about the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum?

Deaf people need better access to political life . More education about their rights and how societal systems work to truly empower them.