British Deaf Association
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          Deaf-led. Community focused.

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          Take the Leap for BDA Youth: Skydive Fundraiser 2026 Members of the BDA Youth Committee, BDA staff and supporters are taking to the skies to raise funds… 31 July 2026
          BDA responds to PM’s social care announcement The BDA welcomes the focus on social care and hopes the upcoming Big Conversation on Care will meaningfully… 30 July 2026
          Join our Deafblind Advisory Group The British Deaf Association (BDA) is looking for Deafblind people from across the United Kingdom to help shape… 25 June 2026

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          Head Office London → England Derby → Northern Ireland Belfast → Scotland Glasgow → Wales Cardiff → Deaf Museum Manchester →
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    • About us
          • About the BDA

            Deaf-led. Community focused.

            Learn more about who we are, what we stand for and how the British Deaf Association is led.

          • Who we are

            Learn about our purpose, values and the direction that guides the BDA.

          • Who we are
            • What we stand for
            • BDA Manifesto
            • Our Work
            • Strategic Vision
          • Leadership & governance

            Meet the people who lead the BDA and see how our organisation is governed and accountable.

          • Leadership & governance
            • Board
            • Management Team
            • Annual Reviews
            • BDA Youth
          • History & heritage

            Explore the BDA’s history and the heritage of the Deaf community

          • History & community
            • History
            • Deaf Museum
    • What we do
          • What we do

            Our work across the UK

            We campaign for equality, champion BSL and deliver projects and services that support Deaf people and communities across the UK.

          • Campaigns, policy and evidence

            We campaign for change and use evidence to improve the rights of Deaf people.

            • Our campaigns
            • Research and consultations
          • Support, projects and programmes

            Find support and explore BDA work taking place across the UK.

            • Advocacy
            • Projects and programmes
          • Information and resources

            Browse trusted BSL information, guidance and resources on topics that matter to Deaf people.

            • BSL and Deaf culture
            • Health and wellbeing
            • History and heritage
          • Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture

            Explore annual initiatives and celebrations that bring our community together.

            • Sign Language Week
            • National BSL Day
            • International Week of Deaf People
            • BSL Poet Laureate
    • News & events
          • Latest news

            Take the Leap for BDA Youth: Skydive Fundraiser 2026 Members of the BDA Youth Committee, BDA staff and supporters are taking to the skies to raise funds… 31 July 2026
            BDA responds to PM’s social care announcement The BDA welcomes the focus on social care and hopes the upcoming Big Conversation on Care will meaningfully… 30 July 2026
            Join our Deafblind Advisory Group The British Deaf Association (BDA) is looking for Deafblind people from across the United Kingdom to help shape… 25 June 2026

            All news →

          • Explore

            More news, organisations and places to discover.

            • British Deaf News
            • World Federation of the Deaf
            • European Union of the Deaf
            • SHARE: The Deaf Visual Archive
            • Sign Language Week
    • Get involved
          • Support us

            Help make a difference

            Support the BDA through donations, fundraising and other ways to give.

            Make a difference Make a donation and help support the BDA’s work with Deaf people and communities across the UK. Fundraise for the BDA Take on a challenge or organise your own fundraiser to help raise money for the BDA.
          • More ways to support
            • In-Memoriam Donations
            • Gifts in Wills
            • How we fundraise
          • Join us

            Work with us or become part of the BDA community.

            Current Job Opportunities See current vacancies and opportunities to work with the BDA. → Become a Member Join the BDA and be part of our community. →

            Stay connected

            Keep up with BDA news, campaigns and opportunities.

            Newsletter Sign up for BDA news, campaigns and important updates. →
    • Training & Consultancy
    • Contact
          • Get in touch

            How can we help?

            For general enquiries, use our online contact form and we’ll help make sure your message reaches the right BDA team.

            Contact us Send us a message using our online form. →
          • Follow us
            • X
            • Facebook
            • Facebook – British Deaf News
            • Instagram
            • LinkedIn
            • YouTube
          • Our offices

            Find your local BDA team

            Find contact details for BDA offices and teams across the UK.

            Head Office London → England Derby → Northern Ireland Belfast → Scotland Glasgow → Wales Cardiff → Deaf Museum Manchester →
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News

27th April 2026

Press Statement: BSL (Wales) Act 2026 has received Royal Assent

The BSL Wales Consortium is delighted to learn that the British Sign Language (Wales) Act 2026 has received Royal Assent. We as a Consortium hope to see an early implementation of this important piece of legislation after the Senedd elections and look forward to working with the new Welsh Government towards its implementation.

The Consortium added:

“For too long, BSL signers have had to navigate inaccessible public services every day; they have had their language needs denied across healthcare, education, transport, and more. The Act is a critical step in the right direction to address this. The experience and expectations of Deaf BSL signers can be central to how we improve public services across Wales. We want to have a real say over the decisions that affect our lives.”

The Consortium consists of Alison Bryan (Co-Chair), Dr Rob Wilks (Co-Chair), ABSLTA (Association of BSL Teachers and Assessors), Action Deafness Cymru, ASLI, British Deaf Association Cymru, COS (The Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound), National Deaf Children’s Society Cymru, NRCPD, RNID, Signature, Talking Hands Deaf Children and Young people and VLP.

Mae Consortiwm Iaith Arwyddion Prydain Cymru wrth ei fodd o glywed bod Deddf Iaith Arwyddion Prydain (Cymru) 2026 wedi derbyn Cydsyniad Brenhinol. Rydym fel Consortiwm yn gobeithio gweld y darn pwysig hwn o ddeddfwriaeth yn cael ei weithredu'n gynnar ar ôl etholiadau'r Senedd ac yn edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda Llywodraeth newydd Cymru tuag at ei weithredu.

Ychwanegodd y Consortiwm:

“Am gyfnod rhy hir, mae arwyddwyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain wedi gorfod llywio gwasanaethau cyhoeddus anhygyrch bob dydd; mae eu hanghenion iaith wedi cael eu gwrthod ar draws gofal iechyd, addysg, trafnidiaeth, a mwy. Mae'r Ddeddf yn gam hollbwysig i'r cyfeiriad cywir i fynd i'r afael â hyn. Gall profiad a disgwyliadau arwyddwyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain Byddar fod yn ganolog i sut rydym yn gwella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ledled Cymru. Rydym am gael dweud ein dweud go iawn dros y penderfyniadau sy'n effeithio ar ein bywydau.”

Mae'r Consortiwm yn cynnwys Alison Bryan (Cyd-gadeirydd), Dr Rob Wilks (Cyd-gadeirydd), ABSLTA (Cymdeithas Athrawon ac Aseswyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain), Action Deafness Cymru, ASLI, Cymdeithas y Byddar Prydain Cymru, COS (Y Ganolfan Arwyddo-Golwg-Sain), Cymdeithas Genedlaethol Plant Byddar Cymru, NRCPD, RNID, Signature, Talking Hands Deaf Children and Young people a VLP.

Previous StoryBritish Deaf Association endorses LumoTV’s “91% Mandate” Campaign
Next StoryHistoric Moment as Northern Ireland Passes Sign Language Bill

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British Deaf Association

British Deaf Association

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