BSL-37 Jonathan

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: Jonathan | Evidence from: Jonathan

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. I want the same rights as England and Scotland have for Deaf people.

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. It would be nice to guaranteed that any needs I wish to be met are actually met and am not given a 'lesser' option i.e I want to use a certain interpreter all the time and not be given someone as a replacement who is not a qualified or trained interpreter.

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.

Yes.

I want to keep with the cultural tradition that we are BSL signers and not just 'users; to reflect that we are signing a recognized language.

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.

I am proud to be deaf I don't want to be labelled as hearing impaired or as something wrong with me.

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.

There is no deaf awareness out there which results in discriminating behavior towards .

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

I want to share my personal experiences for them to realise that there needs to be change and we should not be ignored.

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

Certain communication methods that deaf people prefer to use such as text messages, emails, VRS services, Face to face should be enabled and not just restricted to using only the telephone which can only be used if I ask a hearing person to help me.

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:

Workplace; Education; Health; Social Care; Transport; Other Public Services used by deaf people and their families.

I have to use a regular interpreter that is kind to me and allows me to message them and ask them to book me a  health appointment with them in attendance as I cannot directly book anything myself as I cannot hear on the telephone.

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.

I would like to see it become legal that an interpreter has to be provided upon any request by a BSL signer fir any public service used in Wales.

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.

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 was lucky enough to attend a deaf school before it closed in Wales. It was so sad when it closed down because this was essential to me having full access to language and curriculum in BSL and had deaf fellow peers where I felt I belonged.

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.

we deserve to be included like the rest of society.

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

I am a man that has been born and bred in Wales and rely on BSL. I have been trying to find a job for years and have not had success in this, However, I feel I would have a better chance if there was a BSL ACT in Wales.