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          Join our Deafblind Advisory Group The British Deaf Association (BDA) is looking for Deafblind people from across the United Kingdom to help shape… 25 June 2026
          Join our Heritage Steering Group We’re looking for members to join our Heritage Steering Group. We especially welcome Deaf community members, alongside people… 4 June 2026
          BDA’s new 2026 – 2029 Strategy Today we are proud to share our new three-year plan for 2026–2029 — and to reflect on just… 15 May 2026

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    • About us
      • BDA Manifesto
      • What we stand for
      • Our Work
      • Board
      • Strategic Vision
      • Management Team
      • What the BDA means to you
      • History
      • Annual Reviews
      • BDA Youth
    • What we do
          • SIGN LANGUAGE
            • BSL Act Now! Campaign
            • BSL & Deaf Culture
            • Research & Consultations
            • Sign Language Week
            • National BSL Day
            • International Week of Deaf People
            • BSL Poet Laureate
          • OUR PROJECTS
            • Deaf Roots & Pride
            • Family Sign in the Home
            • Signs of our times
            • Advocacy Service
            • Heritage
            • Dementia Project
            • Dementia Toolkit
            • Dementia Research
            • England Loneliness Project
          • VIDEO INFORMATION IN BSL
            • Family Sign at Home
            • Health & Wellbeing
            • Hate Crime Prevention (Scotland)
            • Derbyshire Crime Project
            • Leicestershire Deaf Forum COVID-19 Project
            • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
            • Access to Justice
    • News & events
          • Latest news

            Join our Deafblind Advisory Group The British Deaf Association (BDA) is looking for Deafblind people from across the United Kingdom to help shape… 25 June 2026
            Join our Heritage Steering Group We’re looking for members to join our Heritage Steering Group. We especially welcome Deaf community members, alongside people… 4 June 2026
            BDA’s new 2026 – 2029 Strategy Today we are proud to share our new three-year plan for 2026–2029 — and to reflect on just… 15 May 2026

            All news →

          • OTHER
            • British Deaf News
            • World Federation of the Deaf
            • European Union of the Deaf
            • SHARE: The Deaf Visual Archive
            • Sign Language Week
            • Deaf Awareness Week
    • Get involved
          • SUPPORT US
            • Make a difference
            • Fundraise for the BDA
            • In-Memoriam Donations
            • Gifts in Wills
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sign language

Irish Sign Language to be officially recognised

oireachtas-irish-parliament

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

15th December 2017

BDA NI meet political parties on SL Rights

BDA NI meet with other political parties

Dr. Terry Riley OBE, Majella McAteer, John Carberry MBE and Brian Symington today met with 3 of the main political parties in Stormont to discuss ongoing work in regards to putting Sign Language on the political agenda.

17th November 2017

Signature Lifetime Achievement Award

Signature Annual Awards 2017 - Superstars

The British Deaf Association is delighted to announce that the BDA Chair, Dr Terry Riley OBE, has been awarded the Signature Lifetime Achievement Award.

13th November 2017

BDA NI meet with MLAs at Stormont

Stormont

Dr. Terry Riley OBE, Majella McAteer, John Carberry MBE and Brian Symington today met with 3 of the main political parties in Stormont to discuss ongoing work in regards to putting Sign Language on the political agenda.

4th October 2017

Reporting errors surround BSL ‘Google Doodle’

Google Doodle and video

Today, the British Deaf Association welcomed the Google Doodle and linked video relating to British Sign Language, the Deaf community, and Braidwood’s Academy, but are disappointed that the poor quality of media coverage means that this gesture has fallen short.

6th September 2017

BSL Recognition Day: 12 years on and the fight continues

getimage

Today marks BSL Recognition Day – part of BDA’s Sign Language Week.

18th March 2015
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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.

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