BSL-110 Tai Pawb

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: Tai Pawb  | Evidence from: Tai Pawb

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 – Tai Pawb support the need for legislation.

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

 

Yes – we agree with the goals of the Bill. However, we recommend consideration is given to ensure there is sufficient investment and guidance as to how bodies will be required to implement changes. This guidance should be informed by all stakeholders, including housing associations. It should also be co-produced with BSL signers. Consideration may also be given to phasing the changes over time across sectors to allow for lessons to be learnt and ensure there is sufficient support from organisations and providers available at a time to implement the changes..

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?

 

Don’t know

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.

 

Don’t know.

 

We believe this conversation should be led by members of the community and a decision reached based on this conversation.

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.

 

Don’t know

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.

Disagree

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.

We believe all groups that have communication needs should have additional provision, so they are fully able to participate in the design and delivery of public services, including those targeted at deaf people.

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

 

 

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:

 

Other.

 

Communication with Housing Associations and Local Authorities around housing needs.  For example,. a particular issue may be when reporting the need for repairs in the home or maintaining the property. Failure to communicate in a way the tenant can understand could be detrimental to their health, wellbeing and the property itself.

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.

 

Don’t know

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.

 

 

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; Access to interpreters in 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

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

 

Investment, training, and guidance  - There will be a need to ensure there is sufficient training and guidance for organisations to implement the changes needed. There may also need to be additional investment to support organisations to provide the services required.

 

Expectations are clear (especially in the early days) – There will need to be recognition that changes will take a while to implement and get enough people trained to deliver the services. We would suggest consideration is given to the timeline of changes and how that can be communicated with both BSL signers and organisations implementing changes. An independent forum of all stakeholders, including BSL signers, may be worth establishing to provide an opportunity for people to feed in progress and discuss any issues that arise.

BSL signer participation -  We believe BSL signers should be involved in the development, implementation and monitoring of the legislation. Opportunities for signers to be involved in leading the training and support to organisations implementing change should also be explored.