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 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.
I strongly believe that there is need for this legislation.
There needs to be official recognition of BSL as Wales' third native language.
Deaf people do not have an option to access the English or Welsh language fully, and so we need BSL to be treated in equal standing to English and Welsh.
Deaf people have been marginalised for centuries, going back to the banning of sign language in education back in 1880. There are parallels between the oppression of Welsh langauge. It is time now that we empowered the Deaf community to be able to access information, health, education, leisure, arts etc as equal members of society.
Lack of access to BSL for young Deaf children results in language deprivation, poorer educational outcomes, then lack of work opportunities.
We need to promote the use of BSL, have better access to learning BSL for hearing parents of Deaf children.
We really need a Deaf school in Wales, it is not right that children wanting access to education in BSL have to travel to Bristol for this.
We need specialist mental health services for Deaf people in Wales. There is provision in England, but none in Wales.
We need to have better health outcomes for Deaf people in Wales, care homes for Deaf BSL users, and better training for Health and social care staff when working with Deaf people.
We need to have a BSL GCSE to ensure that the Deaf community will meet more and more people able to use BSL in everyday lives. It is a wonderful skill that would be invaluable to learn in schools.
We need to have better training pathways for people wanting to become skilled at BSL, and go on to become interpreters. There are not enough interpreters in Wales.
I absolutely support the goals that the Bill seeks to achieve.
Yes
Yes
Don't know
BSL signers would then include children of deaf adults (CODAs) who's first language is BSL.
Don't know.
As a hearing person, I think the terms used by the community should be decided by members of the community.
Strongly disagree.
I think Deaf people are regularly randomly consulted, and then either nothing changes, or they don't hear back. This then leads Deaf people to no longer continue engaging- what is the point if the feedback is ignored?
Needs to be a formal process, which results in actual change.
Strongly agree.
Deaf people are the best people to feedback on specific issues that they face or things they would like to improve.
So many ways of contacting different organisations rely on English/Welsh in written or spoken forms. Some Deaf people are not able to access written English information, and rely on BSL. This means that they are excluded so much from accessing support and information. Video Relay Services means that deaf people are able to make phonecalls via BSL, enabling them to access support and services. In America, Deaf people can make video relay calls for free to any number. Access to VRS services means that Deaf people are able to be independant, and to make confidential calls themselves. Imagine having to ask your family member to reschedule your hospital appointments for you, or to phone the bank about a stolen card.
Education; Health; Social Care; Transport; Other Public Services used by deaf people and their families; Workplace.
Education- no formal BSL requirements for people working with Deaf children. Communication Support Workers might have level 2 BSL skills, and be supporting students in GCSEs. Imagine having a French student who has basic English skills trying to support you in your GCSEs, and think of how this might support your educational outcomes.
Health- so much lack of information, under and underdiagnoses of issues, lack of mental health specialist support services.
Social care- lack of specialist services for Deaf BSL users. Lots of stories about Deaf BSL users being the only Deaf person in a care home where none of the residents or staff can use BSL. Imagine how isolating this would be.
Transport- where to find information that is accessible?
Workplace- Deaf people often discriminated against. Access to Work is a difficult system to naviagte that puts extra pressure on Deaf people. Deaf people often isolated at work. If Deaf people are on benefits, barrier to joining work, as risk loss of benefits. If the job does not work out, then they have to start the benefits process again. Discriminatory against Deaf/disabled people, barrier to joining the workforce.
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.
Yes
I agree with the above proposals. This will ensure that what is agreed within the Act will be followed.
Yes
Enabling deaf users/signers to lead the development of policies and implementation of services for BSL users/signers; Early years language support for deaf children and their families; Improving BSL provision in education; Access to interpreters in public services.
I agree with the above priorities.
Yes.
Yes, I think that Welsh Government should be able to show what work is being done in Wales to improve the everyday lives of Deaf people.
No.
I think this is an opportunity for Welsh Government to uplift a community, to provide equal rights and to improve lives for Deaf people across Wales. I really think this is an amazing opportunity for Wales to show the way forward, and surpass what has been done by the British Government. Allow Deaf BSL users in Wales access to their Cymreictod (Welshness).