The British Deaf Association (BDA) has responded warmly to today’s publication of the “Locked Out: Exclusion of Deaf and Deafblind British Sign Language Users from Health and Social Care in the UK.” report from the Government’s BSL Advisory Board.
This is the most comprehensive examination ever undertaken into the barriers faced by Deaf and Deafblind BSL users across the NHS and social care systems. The findings are stark: persistent failures in communication access are causing avoidable harm, entrenched inequalities, and the denial of basic rights for tens of thousands of Deaf and Deafblind people across the UK.
Rebecca Mansell, Chief Executive of the British Deaf Association said:
“This is a ground-breaking report that lays bare the challenges that deaf signers face every day with the NHS and care system. This report confirms what Deaf and Deafblind people have been telling government for decades: the health and social care system is not built with our communities in mind.
“We are particularly delighted to see the strong focus in the report’s recommendations on the steps that governments must take to address language deprivation in deaf children and adults. We strongly endorse the recommendation that governments provide free BSL courses for the families of deaf children.
“This recommendation backs up the recently published report, The Value of British Sign Language – An Economic Analysis, written by Rand Europe, the policy research organisation. This reports that the teaching of British Sign Language (BSL) to young deaf children and their families delivers an impressive economic return on investment - up to £14 for every £1 invested.
“This report requires a strong and supportive Government response, and we will be contacting BDA members to urge them to write to their MPs.”
The BDA will continue to work closely with governments, NHS bodies, local authorities, and Deaf and Deafblind organisations to ensure these recommendations lead to meaningful, measurable change.
This report sets out a clear blueprint. The responsibility now lies with government to act.
ENDS
View the report: gov.uk
