UPDATE: This programme has been postponed. Channel 4’s ‘The Political Slot’ programme, due to air tonight, has been postponed to the 16th October at 7.55pm. Channel 4 have confirmed that, as a result of a Disaster Emergency Committee appeal this evening, the scheduled programme has had to be rescheduled to the later date. We hope you can still tune in to watch guest presenter Dawn Butler MP and join her vital campaign to give BSL its full legal status. |
The British Deaf Association is very pleased to report that Member of Parliament and long-term ally of Deaf people Dawn Butler will be using an upcoming appearance as guest presenter on Channel 4’s The Political Slot, to focus on British Sign Language.
The programme, which will air this Wednesday (4th October) at 7:55pm on Channel 4, will focus on the importance of BSL, and Ms Butler will present alongside Asif Iqbal, and president of Brent and Harrow United Deaf Club, and Wayne Barrow, TV and radio presenter and campaigner.
In a statement, Ms Butler said,
“I am delighted to present my very own Political Slot to raise awareness for some of the issues facing the deaf community and the importance of giving British Sign Language full legal status, through a BSL Act in Parliament.
I am passionate in my belief that equality is equality, you cannot pick and choose. It is absolutely vital that we take strong action to end the inequality facing deaf people which is why I am delighted that the Labour Party has committed to introducing a BSL Act. I am also fully supportive of the petition, started by my friend Wayne Barrow, to make British Sign Language part of the National Curriculum.
I encourage everyone to tune into Channel 4 on Wednesday 4th October at 7.55pm and watch the Political Slot to learn more, and get behind this vital campaign to give BSL full legal status.”
The BDA recognises that this another landmark moment for BSL, and we commend Dawn Butler in the highest possible terms for continuing to use her platform to highlight the rich culture and language, as well as the inequalities that Deaf people face in the UK.