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: Unigolyn | Evidence from: Individual
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, absolutely. The deaf community has so many challenges to face. This country can be a frightening place when so few people speak your language, and so little effort is made to ensure you can take part in Welsh life. I have the advantage of being able to hear, although my speech is affected, since August 2023, but I have seen first hand the difficulties facing deaf people.
eg- I received a letter to book a hospital procedure, which instructed me to "ring this number" to book it. I requested a BSL interpreter, as they wouldn't allow my Carer to accompany me into the Clinical Area.
When I arrived, you were required to press a button, speak into the intercom, and pull the door when the buzzer sounds (What if you can't hear or speak?)
Next, I discovered that no effort had been made to find a member of staff who had even the basic knowledge of BSL. When a nurse questioned the Receptionist, the reply was, "She can write if she needs to". I was to be sedated, so I didn't feel that was reasonable.
They allowed my Carer to stay with me for the initial form filling, (Where we taught them a few "emergency" signs, such as the one for "pain", but after they dismissed her, I was required to confirm my name and address on three other occasions, a different staff member each time. I had to leave my phone with my Carer, so I couldn't use my "type to talk" App, either. I was lucky that I could understand by hearing, so my consent was at least "informed". I can only imagine how scared I would have been without my hearing, as my anxiety was already elevated due to my speech issue not being accommodated.
If this Bill is passed, I believe that I would have had protections in Law for accommodations to be provided, and if they were to teach BSL in Schools, then SOMEONE there would have had enough knowledge to communicate with me effectively.
Also, the fragmented use of Signalong, Makaton, etc in Schools, leaves those children without a Community when they leave and become adults. Using BSL and SSE enables them to have a Community after School.
I agree, for the reasons I have given in Question 1
Yes
Don't know
Yes.
I'm unsure if the terms used will make a difference.
Yes.
It may be helpful to point out if the person is deaf, so we can be more aware when signing, but the first question I always get asked is "Are you deaf?", I suppose knowing, for organisations such as Healthcare, may be important, to emphasise the need for accommodations.
Strongly disagree.
As per the example I gave in Question 1, I think it is evident that Deaf Accommodations are an afterthought, at best.
Strongly agree.
so many times, policies seem to be set by hearing people, for deaf people, so the true issues are not understood.
Possibly the Relay App, as well as BSL, of course. As a hearing BSL User, I am not the best person to comment
Education; Health; Social Care; Transport; Workplace.
EDUCATION- The fragmented approach of non-official languages such as Signalong and Makaton, which are unregulated, is causing isolation and loneliness for School leavers. The lack of suitably trained interpreters and Communication Facilitators leaves the deaf child, in a Mainstream School, unable to keep up with their peers.
HEALTH- As you see from my example in Question 1, accessing health care is difficult. I also know someone who was told that the HCSW could interpret at a hospital Appointment. She was only trained to Level 1! How can she convey the complexities of a medical appointment, to give informed consent.
SOCIAL CARE- The same deaf lady I mentioned, as I said, her Carers are only trained to a very basic level in BSL. I, myself, had to fight to get my own Carers trained to even that level, the excuse given was, "They may leave (your employ) and won't need it for the next client" I was only asking for them to do an unaccredited course at the cost of £50! (The level one accredited course locally is £360). I had to go up the ranks to get this sorted.
TRANSPORT- Catching a bus, learning to drive, requesting directions, so much more difficult if you can't speak or hear, or both.
WORKPLACE- It is possible for many deaf people to work, but requires more effort from employers to make reasonable adjustments, and many won't, unless legislation forces them to.
There is an ableist attitude that expects deaf and disabled people to only go out with a "Carer". As a wheelchair user, I see this a lot myself. "Other wheelchair users can come in to my cafe. We only have one step at the door", for example. Not unless they are in a manual chair, and someone was pushing them.
This is the same as the expectation that deaf people won't go out alone, without a hearing/speaking person, either.
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, because something needs to be done. Much money is spent on promoting the use of Welsh, and I don't disagree with that, but Welsh speakers are able to communicate in English, whereas many Deaf people don't have that alternative open to them. Let's use a little of that budget towards communication for the deaf, who often don't have the option of a viable alternative, and are isolated, as a result.
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.
1- You need to ask those using the service, what it is they need.
2- A hearing child needs exposure to speech to be able to learn to talk. It's the same for a deaf child. The whole family need to learn to Sign, not just the child themselves.
3- If you can't understand the teacher, how can you learn, then how can you get the qualifications needed to get a good job? So many people are left in poverty because of the lack of BSL Interpreters for Schools.
4- Health is the perfect example. You can't make informed consent if explanations are not in your language, the same with Health Campaigns. You don't know what is a dangerous symptom if you don't "hear" about it.
Yes.
Because without being checked up on, nothing happens.
no
If BSL was taught in Schools, as an option for Modern Languages, ideally, then everyone gets included. You generate more Interpreters in the future, and everyone can at least manage the basics. BSL is so useful, even for hearing people.
Noisy environment? BSL
Need to communicate over a distance or through a window? BSL
At the dentist and your mouth is full of instruments? BSL
Lose your hearing or speech as you get older or due to a medical event (like myself) BSL
Want to have a private conversation that the person in the next room can't overhear? BSL
Have a child with Speech Delay who gets frustrated because they can't talk?(like my grandson) BSL