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: Cyngor Abertawe - Tîm Addysg Plant Byddar - Tîm Cynhwysiant Anghenion Dysgu Ychwanegol | Evidence from: Swansea Council, Deaf Education Team - Additional Learning Needs Inclusion Team
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 we do think there is a need for this legislation. In our work with deaf young people and their families, we see that they often face additional barriers and discrimination. Services and support for families learning BSL are limited, and there is often a lack of awareness of the needs of BSL users. There is also a significant discrepancy between support and services for deaf BSL users in Wales when compared to England – for example, there are more BSL Communicators and Deaf Instructors in England, as well as more opportunities for BSL training and ToDs who are Deaf BSL users themselves. In our service we have taken significant steps to improve this locally, but there are gaps in the wider infrastructure and resources/capacity at a national level (for example, a lack of university or college courses, a lack of Wales-based ToD training courses, and a lack of consistency in approach to bilingual deaf education). There is also a need for protecting and encouraging the Welsh regional dialect of BSL, as currently most resources and media examples of BSL in use are from England.
Yes, we agree with the goals of the Bill. Particularly in Wales, where we already have a bilingual society, it is important that BSL is officially recognised as a language of Wales and that BSL users are ensured the same rights, access and status as those who speak Welsh or English.
Yes
Yes
Don't know.
This is a question that first and foremost should be asked of members of the Deaf Community, that they should have a voice in defining terms such as these. From a semantics perspective, “British Sign Language signers” sounds a bit redundant, and I’m not sure how “users” or “signers” are actually very different in meaning in this context.
Don't know.
This would seem to make sense, but again as previously stated I think questions around terminology like this should be firstly addressed to the Deaf Community.
Disagree.
We have worked hard in Swansea to include and consult with members of the Deaf Community when looking at how we educate and support deaf young people. However this is not the standard in every region across Wales or even the UK.
Strongly agree.
It is vital that this minority language community is protected and has a voice in the services they use. This should include deaf young people where applicable, as well.
N/A
Education; Health; Social Care; Workplace.
Across all areas, access to communication through BSL is often limited or there are significant hoops to jump through. For example, we are aware that medical professionals are required to book a BSL interpreter but often individual GP or office staff aren’t informed of this or don’t know how to book an interpreter. In the workplace deaf BSL users can apply for Access to Work funding for a BSL interpreter, but again we have seen that awareness and workplace cooperation/support for this isn’t always there. In some regions parents have to advocate themselves for access to BSL support in schools, and funding/support for this is very much a postcode lottery. Even in regions where BSL Communicators, for example, are provided – there are difficulties in recruiting qualified staff who are proficient in BSL; this is due to limited funding and training opportunities. Here in Swansea we are aware that Social Services spent several years trying to recruit a social worker to specifically support the Deaf Community, and was unable to find someone with appropriate BSL/Deaf awareness training/experience.
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
Yes we agree with the proposed remit. It is important that the commissioner be familiar with the curriculum for Wales & BSL curriculum guidance, and that standards and proposals are in line with and supportive of the BSL curriculum guidance.
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.
Yes we agree with all of these. These are areas of need that we have clearly seen and are aware of from discussions with colleagues and families across Wales. In particular, from an education perspective, early years language support for deaf children and their families is absolutely vital and is an area of need with far-reaching impact on the future outcomes for deaf young people. Deaf children who do not have an accessible language in the early years are likely to suffer from the impact of language deprivation. This can lead to difficult family relationships, poor mental health, and lower educational/vocational outcomes.
Yes.
Yes, because this supports accountability and transparency – as well as ensuring BSL is afforded the same status/procedures as other minority languages.
None?