British Deaf Association
  • 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

          British Deaf Association awards Sign Language Charter to Greater London Authority The British Deaf Association has awarded its Sign Language Charter to the Greater London Authority (GLA), recognising the… 23 September 2026
          BDA’s Deafblind Advisory Group holds inaugural meeting The British Deaf Association held the inaugural meeting of its Deafblind Advisory Group on Tuesday 15 September 2026… 21 September 2026
          World Alzheimer’s Month: Deaf carers share their experiences in BSL Explore six BSL videos featuring Deaf carers sharing their experiences of supporting loved ones living with dementia. 14 September 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 →
  • 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
            • 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

            British Deaf Association awards Sign Language Charter to Greater London Authority The British Deaf Association has awarded its Sign Language Charter to the Greater London Authority (GLA), recognising the… 23 September 2026
            BDA’s Deafblind Advisory Group holds inaugural meeting The British Deaf Association held the inaugural meeting of its Deafblind Advisory Group on Tuesday 15 September 2026… 21 September 2026
            World Alzheimer’s Month: Deaf carers share their experiences in BSL Explore six BSL videos featuring Deaf carers sharing their experiences of supporting loved ones living with dementia. 14 September 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 →
    • Membership
    • Safeguarding
    • Donate

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

getimage

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

getimage

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

getimage

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

getimage

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

getimage

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

4th November 2015

Lifeline Public Consultation Workshop – Belfast

getimage

The Public Health Agency, on behalf of lifeline wants to know how this can work for Deaf people. Come along to the workshop and let us know your views.

30th September 2015
Newer
1…101112…14
Older

SEARCH ALL NEWS

NEWS CATEGORIES

All News
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales

RECENT NEWS

  • GLA-Award-feat-web
    British Deaf Association awards Sign Language Charter to Greater London Authority
  • BDA-Deafblind-AB-Feat-web
    BDA’s Deafblind Advisory Group holds inaugural meeting
  • AS-Logo-ffeat-web
    World Alzheimer’s Month: Deaf carers share their experiences in BSL
  • BDA-Youth-Skydive-square-web2
    Take the Leap for BDA Youth: Skydive Fundraiser 2026
  • 500px-10_Downing_Street._MOD_45155532-1134449270
    BDA responds to PM’s social care announcement
British Deaf Association

British Deaf Association

The national voice of Deaf people in the UK. We campaign for equality, celebrate British Sign Language and support Deaf communities to thrive.

Contact us

We welcome your feedback and comments. Please feel free to get in touch.

  • bda@bda.org.uk
  • bda.org.uk

Training & Consultancy

For training and consultancy enquiries, please contact:

  • trainingandconsultancy@bda.org.uk

Useful links

  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Complaints Procedure
  • Safeguarding
  • Anti-Slavery Policy

Stay updated

Keep up to date with BDA news, campaigns, opportunities and important updates.

Sign up for updates →
Registered with the Fundraising Regulator

© British Deaf Association 2026

Registered charity: England and Wales (1031687) and Scotland (SC042409)

Company No. 2881497 (England and Wales)

BDA Head Office

We welcome your feedback and comments. Please feel free to get in touch:

Email: bda@bda.org.uk

USEFUL LINKS

Accessibility
Privacy Policy
Complaints Procedure
My Donations
Safeguarding

Registered charity - England and Wales (1031687) and Scotland (SC042409) Company No: 2881497 (England and Wales) - Copyright British Deaf Association 2026