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 Darlledu I’r Byddar Cymru | Evidence from: Wales Deaf Broadcasting Council
Letter – 20 November 2024
I am writing this letter on behalf of the Wales Deaf Broadcasting Council. The DBC is a campaigning group that is mainly concerned with access to broadcasting materials by way of subtitles (captions) or sign language on screens. We have no remit as such in the proposed BSL Wales Bill.
However, the consultation document notes “the various regional variations that exist” in Sign Language in Wales. With that in mind it is essential that all visual BSL consultations undertaken by public bodies with the Deaf community are subtitled so that there is no ambiguity caused by regional variations of sign language. For example, the BSL Bill visual consultation has online videos that are subtitled. It is noted that the ‘youtube’ BSL Bill consultation is signed…but not subtitled. It should have been.
For these reasons we advocate that the BSL Wales Bill should have a provision to legally oblige public bodies to subtitle their Signed consultation and information formats, whether online or otherwise.
You have permission under the Data Protection Act to copy this letter to interest groups.
I would be grateful for your confirmation that the DBC’s recommendation will be considered.
Letter – 7 December 2024
Following my letter of 20th November I am given to understand that there were some objections to the Bill from persons who maintain that the Bill will not be of any benefit to those deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people who do not use BSL. It occurred to me that if subtitles were to be made mandatory for BSL videos produced by statutory bodies, these would perhaps meet the concerns of those who oppose the Bill. In addition, they could encourage none BSL users to learn the language for their benefit. Thus, all sections of the Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing community would benefit from the Bill.
As previously you have permission under the Data Protection Act to copy this letter to interest groups.
I would be grateful for your confirmation that the DBC’s recommendation will be considered.