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: Simeon Hart | Evidence from: Simeon Hart
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.
Yes, this is about Wales, where Deaf people live their everyday lives and have the right to access public services, including the NHS, social services, healthcare, education, and employment. While we acknowledge the importance of the BSL Act 2022, there is a pressing need for specific legislation in Wales to safeguard the rights of British Sign Language users.
For instance, the Welsh Parliament has established legal protections for the Welsh language as a spoken language, ensuring it is upheld as a fundamental right. Similarly, we urge you to consider the importance of empathy for Deaf people’s rights and wellbeing. This is not just about communication; it is about equality, inclusivity, and ensuring that Deaf people are treated with dignity and fairness in every aspect of their lives.
Yes, it is vital to focus on the goals that the Bill seeks to achieve by passing the BSL (Wales) Act. This legislation would ensure Deaf people have equal access to public services, protect and promote the use of British Sign Language in Wales, and safeguard their rights.
It is about creating a society where Deaf individuals can fully participate, removing barriers, and fostering equality through recognition and legal support for their primary language. Passing the Act would be a significant step towards empowering the Deaf community in Wales and ensuring their inclusion and wellbeing.
Yes
Yes
No.
I find this question to be discriminatory. For example, if we suggest replacing the term “Welsh speakers” with “Welsh listeners,” it would be nonsensical, as it disregards the identity tied to the Welsh language. Similarly, British Sign Language (BSL) belongs to the Deaf community as their native language, deeply rooted in their culture and identity.
While hearing individuals can learn BSL, the term “BSL signers” risks equating their use of the language with that of Deaf individuals, potentially prioritising opportunities for hearing people over those for whom BSL is a primary means of communication. It is essential to ensure that the rights and opportunities of the Deaf community are protected and not overshadowed, reflecting true equality and respect for their language and culture.
No.
Why is it necessary to question Deaf people specifically about medical or audiological aspects of their lives? Such questions are often irrelevant and perpetuate the misconception that being Deaf is something to be “fixed” rather than simply a part of who they are. Deaf people are born Deaf or become Deaf and embrace their identity. Society must do the same by respecting and accepting them equally.
Would similar questions be asked of individuals with other disabilities? It is essential to challenge this bias and move towards a more inclusive mindset where the focus is on rights, access, and equality, rather than questioning someone’s inherent identity.
Strongly disagree.
It is deeply concerning that there are no Deaf professionals employed by the Welsh Government, the Assembly, or in roles such as Deaf councillors, Members of the Senedd (MS), or political advisors. This lack of representation sends a clear message that the voices of Deaf people are not being heard or valued in decision-making processes.
This absence perpetuates a system where Deaf people are treated as passive recipients of policies rather than active participants in shaping them. It’s an unjust dynamic that makes Deaf people feel like an afterthought, or as you put it, “like a lamb dog.”
Representation matters. Having Deaf professionals and leaders in these spaces would not only provide invaluable insight into the challenges Deaf people face but also drive meaningful change towards equality and inclusivity. The Welsh Government must prioritise breaking down these barriers and creating pathways for Deaf individuals to participate at all levels of governance.
Strongly agree.
These questions highlight a deep-seated inequality. Hearing professionals often make decisions on behalf of Deaf people, which is not the most effective approach. Hearing professionals cannot fully understand the lived experience of being Deaf, which is why Deaf professionals must be included in the design and delivery of public services.
Involving Deaf professionals ensures that decisions are informed by real experiences and needs, leading to better outcomes for the Deaf community. This inclusive approach will also save the Welsh Government significant funds by ensuring resources are spent wisely and effectively, avoiding costly mistakes or poorly designed services. It’s about creating equitable systems that respect and include those directly impacted.
British Sign Language (BSL) is a rich, diverse language with regional variations across the UK, including specific Welsh regional signs. These regional signs are an integral part of the identity and culture of Deaf communities in Wales, reflecting their unique experiences and heritage.
Recognising and preserving Welsh regional signs is essential to ensure that the linguistic diversity within BSL is respected and valued. It also promotes inclusivity by acknowledging the distinctiveness of the Welsh Deaf community.
By formally recognising these regional variations, the Welsh Government can take an important step towards ensuring that public services, education, and other key sectors reflect the specific needs of the Welsh Deaf population. This would help create a more equitable and culturally aware society, strengthening the connection between BSL and Wales’ linguistic and cultural identity.
Education; Health; Social Care; Transport; Other Public Services used by deaf people and their families; Workplace.
I have already explained the issues regarding education, health, social care, transport, other public services, and employment in my recent answers. The main barriers are communication and language, particularly in letters, leaflets, and similar materials, which Deaf people often find challenging. Additionally, staff are generally inexperienced and lack awareness about how to interact effectively with Deaf people.
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
The proposed remit of the BSL Commissioner should focus on advocating for and protecting the rights of British Sign Language (BSL) users. This includes ensuring access to public services, education, healthcare, and employment, as well as promoting awareness and understanding of BSL within society. The Commissioner would also work to ensure that policies and legislation reflect the needs of the Deaf community, push for the recognition of regional BSL variations, and hold public institutions accountable for providing accessible services. Additionally, the Commissioner would serve as a voice for the Deaf community, ensuring their inclusion in decision-making processes at all levels of government.
Yes
Improving BSL provision in education; Access to interpreters in public services; Early years language support for deaf children and their families; Enabling deaf users/signers to lead the development of policies and implementation of services for BSL users/signers.
The proposed BSL Commissioner and Advisory Panel should prioritise the following:
1. Ensuring Access to Public Services: Advocate for accessible communication in all public services, including healthcare, education, social care, and transport, by ensuring BSL is fully integrated into these services.
2. Improving Deaf Awareness and Training: Implement mandatory Deaf awareness and BSL training for public service employees, so they can effectively communicate and engage with Deaf individuals.
3. Promoting Inclusion in Policy Development: Ensure that Deaf people, including BSL users, are included in the development of policies, services, and public initiatives to address their specific needs.
4. Facilitating BSL Recognition and Protection: Work toward the formal recognition of British Sign Language as an official language, with appropriate legal protections and support for regional BSL variations, particularly in Wales.
5. Providing Accessible Information: Ensure that all public communications, such as letters, reports, and leaflets, are available in accessible formats, including BSL video translations, to enable Deaf people to fully understand and engage with important information.
6. Promoting Employment Opportunities: Advocate for equal employment opportunities and workplace accessibility for Deaf individuals, ensuring that they have the same opportunities for career advancement as their hearing counterparts.
7. Building a Deaf-led Workforce: Encourage the recruitment of Deaf professionals and advisors within government, public services, and advisory bodies to ensure that policies and services are shaped by the lived experiences of the Deaf community.
8. Monitoring and Accountability: Ensure that public institutions are held accountable for implementing policies and practices that enhance access and equality for Deaf people, including reporting on progress and addressing any failures.
Yes.
Equally, it is essential to enable Deaf people to understand what the report is about, ensuring they are included in the conversation and decision-making process. This can be achieved by providing accessible formats, such as BSL translations or plain language summaries, allowing Deaf individuals to fully engage with and contribute to the content.
Yes, there are several important issues that should be considered regarding the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum:
1. Lack of Clear Implementation Mechanisms: The Bill should outline clear mechanisms for its implementation, including a detailed timeline for the enforcement of accessible services, the recruitment of BSL professionals, and the provision of funding. Without these clear actions, the effectiveness of the legislation could be undermined.
2. Engagement with the Deaf Community: While the Bill focuses on improving access for Deaf people, there should be more emphasis on ongoing, direct engagement with the Deaf community. Their involvement in the monitoring and evaluation of the Bill’s effectiveness is critical to ensuring that it meets the real needs of Deaf people and doesn’t inadvertently create gaps in services or policies.
3. Integration of BSL in Education Systems: The Bill should include stronger provisions for integrating BSL into the education system, not only for Deaf students but also for hearing students who could benefit from learning BSL. This would promote bilingualism and create a more inclusive society.
4. Funding for BSL Services: Adequate and sustainable funding must be secured for BSL interpreters, BSL resources in public services, and the development of regional variations of BSL. Without sufficient funding, the legislation risks being ineffective in achieving real change.
5. Specific Provisions for Welsh Regional Signs: The Bill should specifically address the recognition and promotion of Welsh regional BSL signs to ensure that regional diversity within the Deaf community is respected and upheld.
6. Clarification on Accessibility of Non-Visual Media: The Explanatory Memorandum should clarify how the Bill plans to address the accessibility of non-visual media, such as television broadcasts, online platforms, and official websites, for Deaf people. This includes ensuring that subtitles, sign language interpretation, or other alternatives are provided consistently.
7. Accountability and Monitoring: There needs to be a clearly defined process for holding public bodies accountable for implementing the Bill. An independent body, like the BSL Commissioner, should be empowered to monitor progress, address complaints, and report on the effectiveness of the Bill.
By addressing these concerns, the Bill can better meet the needs of the Deaf community and help create a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable society.
Here are a few additional points that could be raised:
1. Employment of Deaf Professionals in Public Services: The Bill should include specific provisions for the recruitment of Deaf professionals in key public services, such as healthcare, education, and government roles. This would ensure that Deaf people are not only beneficiaries of policies but also active contributors to their design and implementation.
2. Cultural Sensitivity and Education: The Explanatory Memorandum could benefit from further emphasis on cultural sensitivity ad awareness programs for both the public and private sectors. This would help eliminate misconceptions about Deaf culture and language, leading to more inclusive and respectful attitudes towards Deaf people.
3. Support for Deaf People in Rural Areas: The Bill should consider specific provisions to support Deaf people living in rural or remote areas, where access to BSL interpreters and other services may be limited. Ensuring equitable access to services across all geographic regions is crucial.
4. Emergency and Crisis Services: The Bill should highlight provisions for ensuring that Deaf people can access emergency services with ease, including ensuring the availability of BSL interpreters or video relay services during emergencies and crisis situations.
5. Interdepartmental Collaboration: The Explanatory Memorandum could include details on how different government departments will collaborate to ensure that Deaf people’s needs are met across sectors (e.g., health, education, transport, and social care). Cross-departmental working is essential to address the multifaceted nature of Deaf people’s experiences.
6. Public Awareness Campaigns: The Bill should encourage or require government-led public awareness campaigns that educate the wider public about Deaf issues, BSL, and the importance of inclusion, helping to reduce stigma and increase understanding.
7. Long-Term Review and Updates: The Bill should include provisions for a long-term review of its impact, with mechanisms for amending the legislation to keep pace with evolving needs in the Deaf community. This would ensure that the legislation remains relevant and effective over time.
By addressing these additional points, the Bill could create a more comprehensive framework for advancing Deaf people’s rights and ensuring they are fully included in all aspects of society.