Legal status for BSL / ISL – Northern Ireland

After years of campaigning by the deaf community, BSL and ISL were officially recognised as minority languages in Northern Ireland in March 2004 for about 4,500 Deaf sign language users of which 3,000 are BSL users, and 1,500 are ISL users. Although no legal status for BSL / ISL in Northern Ireland. Useful link:  Official […]

Legal status for BSL – Wales

In January 2004, BSL was recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government as a language in its own right for about 4,000 Deaf people living in Wales. Although no legal status for BSL in Wales. Useful links: Deffo! launch a petition ‘Access to BSL for all’ in Wales

Legal status for BSL – Scotland

Currently the Scottish Parliament considers a BSL (Scotland) Bill introduced by Mark Griffin MSP that all national and local public authorities must produce a BSL plan to ensure that Deaf people can have access to their services. This will be the UK’s first ever parliamentary Bill solely focusing on BSL so we hope this will […]