Belfast City Council has today become the first Northern Ireland council to sign up to the British/Irish Sign Language Charter, committing to promote better access to public services for Deaf communities.
The BSL/ISL Charter is designed to remove direct and indirect discrimination, empower local Deaf communities and resolve barriers between service providers and Deaf people while increasing awareness of Deaf issues.
The council has signed three pledges:
- Consult formally and informally with the local Deaf community on a regular basis;
- Ensure access for Deaf people to information and services;
- Ensure staff working with Deaf people can communicate effectively using British Sign Language and/or Irish Sign Language.
Lord Mayor, Deirdre Hargey, who signed the charter on the city’s behalf said: “It is good to see steps being taken to ensure the language strategy is inclusive and provides benefits for people across the city.
“In signing this Charter we are ensuring that those who communicate by signing are not disadvantaged in accessing key council services; we are ensuring good practice in producing information for people who sign; and we are supporting community cohesion by removing barriers arising from differences in communication styles.
“Lord Mayor Deirdre HargeyThis is in line with the ‘Belfast Agenda’, the long-term development plan for the city which demands that we become a more inclusive society. What better way to become inclusive than by providing more people the opportunity to participate fully in society
“This is in line with the ‘Belfast Agenda’, the long-term development plan for the city which demands that we become a more inclusive society. What better way to become inclusive than by providing more people the opportunity to participate fully in society,” added the Lord Mayor.
Majella McAteer, Community Development Manager for BDA Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted that Belfast City Council has made the historic decision to sign three pledges of the BSL/ISL Charter. The Charter is one of the BDA’s flagship projects, and represents important and tangible commitments by councils and other bodies to the Deaf people they serve.
“We strongly commend Belfast City Council for taking this step, and are excited about the improvements being made that will mean greater inclusivity for Deaf people.”
