British Deaf Association awards Sign Language Charter to Greater London Authority

Award recognises progress on BSL access and begins a new phase centred on Deaf leadership

The British Deaf Association has awarded its Sign Language Charter to the Greater London Authority (GLA), recognising the progress City Hall has made in improving access and inclusion for Deaf Londoners whose language is British Sign Language.

The award follows a formal BDA review, including audit visits in February 2026 and an assessment of evidence against ten actions agreed following the original benchmarking exercise in 2022. The BDA concluded that the GLA had satisfied its assessment across all ten actions.

The GLA formally adopted the Charter in November 2023. Progress since then includes:

• fully funded BSL courses up to Level 2 for eligible Londoners, including parents and carers of deaf children and young people, with 770 people undertaking funded BSL learning in 2024/25;
• direct involvement of Deaf organisations and representatives in the GLA’s Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations forum;
• BSL content within staff disability training;
• improved access at City Hall, including video-relay provision and visual emergency arrangements; and
• BSL access to important publications and consultations, including work on the London Plan and Inclusive Talent Strategy.

Building on these achievements, the BDA wants the next stage of its partnership with the GLA to give greater priority to Deaf leadership. This means Deaf people leading the development, delivery and evaluation of the policies and services affecting their communities, alongside continued improvements in BSL access.

Tom Lichy, speaking on behalf of the British Deaf Association, said:

“This award recognises action, not simply intention. The GLA has provided evidence of progress across the ten areas agreed following our original assessment—from accessible services and staff awareness to involving Deaf organisations and supporting people to learn BSL.

“Access is essential, but Deaf equity requires more than making existing services accessible. Deaf people must lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the services and policies affecting our communities. Deaf leadership brings the language, cultural knowledge and lived experience needed to make those services work.

“We congratulate everyone who has helped achieve this award and look forward to working with the GLA to make Deaf leadership central to the next stage of our partnership.”

Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, said:

“I am hugely proud that the British Deaf Association has awarded us its Sign Language Charter in recognition of the work we have done to improve access for Deaf Londoners. It is vitally important that we all work to tackle the inequalities that people can face accessing services and I would like to thank the Deaf Londoners who have generously shared their expertise and lived experience to shape our work. We know there is more to do, and we look forward to working with the BDA to keep improving BSL access and to ensure Deaf Londoners are at the heart of the development of the policies and services that affect their communities, as we build a better, fairer London for everyone."

The Charter has been awarded for three years. The BDA has also made recommendations to help the GLA build on its progress and prepare for potential re-accreditation under the revised Sign Language Charter.

The award was presented by BDA Chair Robert Adam at an event hosted by Remark!, attended by representatives of the GLA and London’s Deaf community.

The BDA’s Sign Language Charter recognises BSL as a full language and the importance of Deaf culture. It supports organisations to remove barriers, work in partnership with Deaf communities and embed Deaf equality in their services and decision-making.

ENDS