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

          Be ready for emergencies The Government has advised households to be ready for emergencies by keeping some essential supplies at home. Being… 13 November 2026
          Petition for free BSL classes for families The BDA is working with campaigning organisation 38 Degrees on a new petition calling for free British Sign… 2 November 2026
          Joint stakeholder response – BATOD, BDA, Signature, NDCS, ABSLEP, BSL Curriculum Working Group Statement on workforce planning for BSL GCSE and Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs) 2 November 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

            Be ready for emergencies The Government has advised households to be ready for emergencies by keeping some essential supplies at home. Being… 13 November 2026
            Petition for free BSL classes for families The BDA is working with campaigning organisation 38 Degrees on a new petition calling for free British Sign… 2 November 2026
            Joint stakeholder response – BATOD, BDA, Signature, NDCS, ABSLEP, BSL Curriculum Working Group Statement on workforce planning for BSL GCSE and Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs) 2 November 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

BSL

Campaigning for BSL

The British Deaf Association has campaigned for 120 years on the rights of Deaf people and sign language users.

7th September 2015

Working with BSL interpreters

If you are communicating through a sign language interpreter there are some simple things you can do to make the conversation as natural as possible.

7th September 2015

BSL (Scotland) Bill Stage 3 to take place – Get your tickets

getimage

Stage 3 of the BSL (Scotland) Bill will take place on Thursday 17 September 2015 at 2.30pm at The Scottish Parliament.

25th August 2015

Policy positioning statements

[ Contents to be added soon ]

22nd July 2015

British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill – Stage 3

getimage

The detailed process of BSL (Scotland) Bill – Stage 3 including BSL video.

21st July 2015

Official Launch of “Legal Status for BSL and ISL” Report

As part of the BDA’s Sign Language Week 2014 “Strengthening Our Rights”, we will launch a report on “Legal Status for BSL and ISL”at the BDA’s BSL Symposium on 18th March 2014

18th March 2014
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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
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  • Complaints Procedure
  • Safeguarding
  • Anti-Slavery Policy

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© 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