Our Strategic Vision
At long last, our language has now been recognised by the UK Government. We must seize this opportunity to prepare the ground for the world we want, promote the nationwide learning of BSL and protect our language to ensure it flourishes long into the future.
ABOUT
This Strategic Vision sets out the British Deaf Association’s 10-year vision for a new civil rights movement: #BSL2032
Over the next decade, the Deaf communities in the UK must take ownership of our own future as a linguistic and cultural minority that has been oppressed and discriminated against for more than a century
Our vision is for a good quality of life for every Deaf baby, child and adult in the UK, where the language, communication and information barriers that have limited us for so long have been surmounted, as our language, British Sign Language (BSL), is at last given the space to flourish. Language is at the heart of what it means to be human. To be able to express ourselves, share information, and build relationships, every human needs a strong language foundation. Deaf people continue to be deprived of that basic human right in 2023. It is time for this to change.
The 10-year Strategic Vision takes as its starting point the date at which the BSL Act, which recognised British Sign Language as a language of Great Britain in law for the very first time, received Royal Assent: 28 April 2022. That date will now be celebrated annually as National BSL Day.
Reflecting on our progress — and stepping up for the future
Over the past three years, the Deaf community in the UK has reached a historic moment.
In 2022, after decades of campaigning, the British Deaf Association led the successful BSL Act Now campaign — securing legal recognition of British Sign Language. This landmark achievement marked the beginning of a new era for Deaf rights.
But we have always been clear: recognition is only the beginning.
What we’ve achieved together
Since then, we have worked alongside our members, partners and allies to turn that historic moment into meaningful and lasting change.
Strengthening national influence
We have strengthened our influence at the highest levels of decision-making.
We supported the establishment of the first ever All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on BSL, creating a dedicated platform within Parliament to champion Deaf issues and sign language rights.
We have also hosted two major Parliamentary receptions — bringing Deaf issues directly into Westminster:
- In 2024, launching the BSL in Our Hands campaign, calling on government to fund free BSL for every deaf child and their families
- In 2026, launching the RAND report on the Economics of BSL, providing robust evidence on the return on investment of funding free BSL — directly responding to government demand for evidence
Alongside this, we have worked across all four nations — engaging with devolved governments in Wales and Northern Ireland to progress sign language legislation and recognition, ensuring that change reaches Deaf communities everywhere.
Building power in Deaf communities
We have strengthened Deaf communities across the UK — supporting local leadership, engagement and access.
Through the creation and growth of the BSL Alliance, we have brought together organisations from across the UK to drive Deaf-led change, share evidence, and push forward the implementation of the BSL Act.
Alongside this, we established a national BSL Research Forum, bringing together 11 university partners specialising in Deaf studies and sign language research — strengthening the evidence base that underpins our advocacy and supports long-term change.
This work is about shifting power — ensuring Deaf people are at the centre of decisions that affect our lives.
Growing our voice and visibility
We have significantly increased the visibility of BSL and Deaf culture across society.
Our flagship Sign Language Week has grown year on year — reaching wider audiences, engaging thousands of people, and building a national movement of BSL allies.
We have taken on stewardship of the Deaf Heritage Centre and Museum, ensuring that the language, culture and history of Deaf communities are protected, preserved and shared for future generations.
In 2025, we also celebrated the BDA’s 135th anniversary with a major national conference in Leeds — our birthplace — bringing the Deaf community together to reflect on our history and shape our future.
The conference also created space for vital conversations about the future of Deaf communities, including the impact of genetics and artificial intelligence — ensuring Deaf people are informed, engaged and leading discussions on issues that will shape our lives for generations to come.
Together, these moments have strengthened our profile and amplified the voice of Deaf people across the UK.
Investing in a stronger BDA
We have also invested in ourselves.
Over the past three years, we have strengthened our internal infrastructure — improving our systems, governance, digital platforms and ways of working.
We have built a stronger, more resilient organisation — better equipped to deliver impact, grow sustainably, and lead change for the long term.
Why we are stepping up
We are proud of what we have achieved together.
But we also know that many Deaf people still face significant barriers.
Access to language remains unequal. Systems are not designed with Deaf people in mind. Too many decisions are still made without Deaf voices.
We know that change must go further — and faster.
Our next chapter: 2026–2029
Our new three-year plan builds on everything we have achieved and learned.
It sets out how we will:
- Lead national advocacy and policy reform
- Drive forward sign language legislation across all four nations
- Expand awareness and recognition of BSL/ISL
- Strengthen and connect Deaf communities
- Build a diverse, inclusive, Deaf-led organisation
- Continue investing in our systems, people and sustainability
Together, these priorities will help us move closer to our vision: a world where Deaf people can fully participate and contribute as equal and valued citizens.
Join us
We are proud of what we have achieved together. And we are even more ambitious about what comes next.
Come and join us in our series of webinars to learn more about our plans, hear from the community, and be part of the next chapter. Please note this is a Members only event.
Webinar dates:
- Tuesday 19 May 2026, 6 – 7pm
- Wednesday 20 May 2026, 10 – 11am
- Thursday 21 May 2026, 3 – 4pm
VIEW
Our 10-Year Strategic Vision 2022-2032
View our Strategic Vision in an interactive format below. This gives you an easy way to read through the document online and explore our priorities, ambitions, and direction for the future of the British Deaf Association.