BSL-49 Bridgend Local Authority

Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament

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

Ymateb gan: Awdurdod Lleol Pen-y-Bont ar Ogwr | Evidence from: Bridgend Local Authority

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

Yes

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

Yes

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

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

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

Disagree

Agree

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

British Sign Language (BSL)

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; Transport; Workplace.

Education – Few Deaf role models, limited Deaf Awareness training, shortage of experienced and qualified Deaf communication support workers, limited access to Deaf peers, BSL GCSE not currently available.

Health – Lack of information available in BSL format. Inconsistent or no BSL interpreters booked for consultations, doctor and hospital appointments. Lack of Deaf awareness training for all staff. Mobile phone not charged, not checked, not working thus preventing Deaf users from accessing services.

Social Care – Lack of Deaf awareness, access to services, accessible information,

Transport – Lack of Deaf awareness, subtitles not available at stations, changes to services not communicated to Deaf customers.

Workplace – Lack of Deaf awareness, access to training and courses, accessible information, technology to support Deaf adults in the workplace.

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.

Yes, agree with the proposed remit outlined.

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.

Enabling deaf users/signers to lead the development of policies and implementation of services for BSL users/signers

Reason: Important for Deaf users and signers to have a voice as they shape policies and highlight the areas of need from their own experiences. The Deaf community will feel more included socially and be invested in the process to effect change.

Early years language support for deaf children and their families

Reason: Early intervention to establish a communication pathway is instrumental in developing language and understanding. Deaf children should have the same opportunities as hearing children to develop language and communication with their families and within the local communities. Effective language and communication skills are integral to social, emotional, well-being and intellectual development. To promote and develop Deaf awareness strategies within communities.

Improving BSL provision in education

Reason: There is a lack of high-quality access to BSL support for Deaf children in mainstream schools. Many children are being supported by communication support workers who only have basic skills in sign language. To have the same opportunities as hearing children to develop language and communication skills.

Access to interpreters in public services

Reason: There is a shortage of interpreters available to support Deaf BSL users when accessing 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.

Reason: Accountability and transparency are important, and the Welsh Government should publish an annual BSL report to maintain the momentum and to keep the public informed of progress.

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

Made For Wales BSL GCSE

Question 16: Anything else?

No thank you