BSL-10 Individual

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: Unigolyn | Evidence from: Individual

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. Currently deaf children and their families do not have access to BSL education as standard. Organisations across Wales do not have BSL or deaf awareness.

BSL is not yet seen as equal to Welsh and English languages.

BSL hasn't been utilized for 3rd language in many schools despite the fact it can bridge Welsh and English and promote more Welsh use in English medium schools.

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

Yes I agree with the bill and that BSL should be respected and recognized as a language of Wales and that training in BSL should be an option for all especially for families of deaf people.

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.

BSL is a beautiful expressive language and ensures the Deaf and BSL communities are included in Welsh life. BSL like Welsh is an historically oppressed language and so regional variation has evolved just like Welsh language variation. When a community has kept the language alive despite oppression and fear no area wants to lose that precious dialect. I believe over time dialects will merge once BSL is seen and celebrated openly across Wales. But to oppress one dialect will only cause upset and defiance to protect the language that has been at risk for so long.

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.

I think labels are very individual choice.

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.

I don't think that deaf people in general have opportunities to give views. I think some deaf have more opportunities due to education. And confidence but many don't have the chance.

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.

Agree.

Option to reply in English or BSL on here is great but for many older deaf the technology is a barrier and possibly collating views at a deaf group with interpreter present may work better for some.

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

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.

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.

Yes

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.

It would be good to see a BSL commissioner be a BSL signer, ideally a deaf candidate with first hand knowledge of the deaf community

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; Improving BSL provision in education.

Early years support and support in education is a priority.

The deaf children of today will be the adults of tomorrow. If education. In early years and at school is right this will enable them to grow into adults who contribute to Wales. Currently lack of early BSL support for families and in school results in poorer outcomes for deaf children.

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.

A report will hold accountability and record progression.