Following the BSL Act legally recognising BSL as a language of England, Scotland and Wales which 151,000 people use, the Government have announced recruitment plans to join their BSL Advisory Board which will see BSL users advising the government on key issues impacting the Deaf community. The BDA are pleased to share their recruitment pack and we strongly encourage Deaf people to apply.
For the first time, you can apply in BSL, and you can find BSL videos on the gov.uk website explaining the recruitment process: www.gov.uk/apply-to-join-the-british-sign-language-bsl-advisory-board/ministerial-foreword-and-about-the-board-bsl-and-english
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 2nd September.
Ministerial foreword
The passing of the British Sign Language (BSL) Act (2022) has given BSL the legal recognition it deserves and for which Deaf people have campaigned for many years.
The work now begins to implement the Act, to guide government departments on understanding their duties, to support departments in their use of BSL across public communications and to publicly report on our progress. Integral to this is ensuring the needs of BSL signers are at the heart of what we do.
We are establishing the BSL Advisory Board so that BSL signers can advise on the implementation of the Act and in doing so bring together their lived experience from across England, Wales and Scotland.
I was delighted to support the British Sign Language Bill through Parliament and I extend my thanks to Rosie Cooper MP and all who have campaigned so hard to get us here. I look forward to continuing to work with BSL signers in ensuring the Act is fully implemented and that we better understand and offer solutions to barriers to inclusion for all who have BSL as their language.
Chloe Smith MP
Minister for Disabled People
Department for Work and Pensions
