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
  - - Leadership & governance
      
      Meet the people who lead the BDA and see how our organisation is governed and accountable.
    - Leadership & governance
  - - 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
  - - 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
  - - 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
Membership
Safeguarding
Donate

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
  - - Leadership & governance
      
      Meet the people who lead the BDA and see how our organisation is governed and accountable.
    - Leadership & governance
  - - 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
  - - 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
  - - 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
Membership
Safeguarding
Donate

Special announcement from the NI Minister for Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)

BDA Northern Ireland was delighted to hear the announcement from Carál Ní Chuilín, NI Minister of DCAL who will be introducing a draft BSL/ISL Bill.

5th November 2015

BDA and WFD secured a commitment to co-design a BSL/ISL Bill for Northern Ireland

Meeting took place in Stormont Parliament Building in Belfast, NI with Junior Ministers to secured a commitment to co-design a BSL/ISL Bill for NI.

5th November 2015

Newly appointed board of WFD and WFDYS holds first meeting in Belfast – NI

British Deaf Association hosts World Federation of the Deaf & World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section at Belfast City Hall.

4th November 2015

Meeting with OFM / DFM Junior Ministers at Stormont – NI

BDA Chair and staff with WFD President Colin and WFDYS President Cecilia met with Junior Ministers from the Dept of OFM/DFM and the meeting took place in Stormont Parliament Building.

4th November 2015

Brief Update on recent BDA Civic Reception

A brief update on BDA’s Civic Reception which was held at Belfast City Hall for the WFD/WFDYS boards.

4th November 2015

BDA NI – International Mens Day 2015

International Men’s Day – “Make a Difference for Men and Boys”.

30th September 2015

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Deaf-led. Community focused.

Who we are

Leadership & governance

History & heritage

Our work across the UK

Campaigns, policy and evidence

Support, projects and programmes

Information and resources

Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture

Latest news

Explore

Help make a difference

Join us

Stay connected

How can we help?

Find your local BDA team

Deaf-led. Community focused.

Who we are

Leadership & governance

History & heritage

Our work across the UK

Campaigns, policy and evidence

Support, projects and programmes

Information and resources

Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture

Latest news

Explore

Help make a difference

Join us

Stay connected

How can we help?

Find your local BDA team