Text transcript of BSL and ISL videos:
Text transcript of BSL Video:
Today, in a landmark moment, legislation for an Irish Sign Language Act has passed through the Oireachtas (legislature of the Irish Republic).
The ‘Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community’ Bill, which was put forward by Fíanna Fáil Senator Mark Daly, will be signed into law in the coming days by President Michael D Higgins.
The law will mean that Irish Sign Language is officially recognised as a minority language, and brings with it enhanced rights of Deaf ISL users in the Republic of Ireland.
The Bill includes the requirements for “public bodies to prepare and implement action plans on Irish Sign Language”, “to provide for classes for the parents of deaf children”, “to provide for the making available of sign language interpreting services” and to make due changes to the accessibility standards of broadcast media, amongst many other key changes for Irish Deaf communities.
There are approximately 40,000 ISL users in Ireland, including 5,000 Deaf people for whom ISL is a first language.
Terry Riley OBE, Chair of the BDA, stated, “The British Deaf Association warmly welcomes this announcement as an historic moment for the Irish Deaf communities. We hope that through the BDA’s continued work within the Sign Language Framework in Northern Ireland, an ISL/BSL Act will also not be far away north of the border. Our continued work towards a UK-wide sign language act is buoyed by this good example. Today is a day of celebration for the Irish Deaf community, and we applaud them – and the policy makers and lobbyists involved – in bringing about this momentous change.”
See Irish media news:
"Dáil passes 'historic' sign language legislation" - RTE 14/12/2017
"Sign language for the deaf to be granted State recognition" - The Irish Times 14/12/2017
"It's official, the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 has been a success!" - ISL video on Facebook - Irish Deaf Society - 14/12/2017
