BSL-24 Julie Doyle

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 | Evidence from: Julie Doyle

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.

Absolutely yes. This is because our indigenous language of this country has been overlooked and undervalued. The senedd and politicians have ignored the wishes of the Deaf community for too long. The arrogance in believing that they have done enough and therefore deciding an Act not needed is beyond staggering.

We have no specific cultural and linguistic mental health service that meets the needs of Deaf people. The education system has severely failed Deaf children. There is correlation here between poor education outcomes and mental health issues.

The government and senedd need holding to account for its failures and we deserve the protection of our language and culture.

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

I agree

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.

This is something that Deaf people should decide. Consult with them and ask. I am a hearing CODA and I think either phrase would include me.

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.

Yes.

Would prefer capital D.

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.

Strongly disagree.

For too long Deaf community has been consulted and nothing changes. We are tired of being asked to no avail. No updates and no process. It’s exhausting volunteering your time to explain barriers when nothing changes.

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.

Employ Deaf people in positions where change can be made. For example in Welsh gig the BSL lead is not Deaf!!

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

Please DO NOT refer to makaton or speech therapy. This is a BSL bill.

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; Other Public Services used by deaf people and their families; Workplace.

In all walks of life. It starts with poor education and the lack of BSL in teaching . Deaf children are isolated and denied their natural language. My parents went to a Deaf school where everybody signed. They have good mental health and a language they thrive with - they just need access to public information in their language and for more people to sign.

Most deaf children grow up in hearing families who do not sign. Make BSL classes FREE for families to learn! Deaf children are excused from their own family conversations!

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.

The Welsh commissioner or panel needs to hold the government to account. We have seen that politicians think they’re doing. Well and ignore our needs, so some accountability and power need to be given to Deaf people.

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; Enabling deaf users/signers to lead the development of policies and implementation of services for BSL users/signers; Access to interpreters in public services.

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