• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About DNS
  • Subscribe to DNS
  • Advertise with DNS
  • Support DNS
  • Contact DNS

Disability News Service

the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues

  • Home
  • Independent Living
    • Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Housing
    • Transport
  • Activism & Campaigning
  • Benefits & Poverty
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
You are here: Home / Human Rights / BSL bill is ‘historic landmark’ for Deaf Scots

BSL bill is ‘historic landmark’ for Deaf Scots

By John Pring on 18th September 2015 Category: Human Rights

Listen

Deaf campaigners have hailed new legislation as an “historic landmark” that will give important new rights to users of British Sign Language (BSL) in Scotland.

The BSL (Scotland) bill passed its third stage in the Scottish parliament today (Thursday), with a unanimous vote, and now just needs royal assent before it becomes law.

The bill, introduced last October by Labour MSP Mark Griffin, aims to promote BSL and improve services available for Deaf people in Scotland.

Once it becomes law, it will force the Scottish government and some public bodies to develop action plans on improving access to information in BSL.

The user-led British Deaf Association (BDA) said the bill would improve Deaf people’s quality of life in relation to health, employment, leisure and the arts, and in older people’s services.

BDA said that more Deaf people would be able to access work as BSL and the use of interpreters became “more visible” and more employers learned about support programmes.

Avril Hepner, BDA’s community development manager (Scotland), said it was a “momentous day for the Scottish Deaf community”.

She said: “I am proud, as a Scottish person, to see my country leading the way in making the first ever BSL act in the UK.

“We look forward to working with the Scottish government to implement this and hope the rest of the UK follows suit.”

She added: “The BSL (Scotland) Bill is very important to BDA because we have been involved with the process from the start when BDA Scotland was invited to respond to the education and culture committee panel in Scottish parliament in support of the bill.

“The BDA is led by Deaf BSL-users and this is an excellent way for BSL to make history.

“BSL-users in Scotland from the cradle to the grave will be greatly affected by the BSL (Scotland) bill.

“This recognition of their first and preferred language will improve their access, inclusion and sense of belonging in Scotland.”

Share this post:

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on Reddit

Tags: British Deaf Association British Sign Language BSL (Scotland) Bill Scottish parliament

Related

Controversial BSL bill set to become law
28th April 2022
Fresh concerns over BSL bill despite huge London rally
24th March 2022
BSL bill ‘will not provide Deaf people with any new rights’
10th February 2022

Primary Sidebar

Image shows a man wearing glasses sitting by an open laptop The text reads: Free Career Support for Disabled People Our services include: 1-2-1 Coaching Online Career Resources Find Support near you Search for Inclusive Jobs Career Events and Workshops Visit the Evenbreak Career Hive today to find out how we can help you

Access

Latest Stories

Disabled people are playing their part in defending their country, say Ukraine activists

DPO gives stark warning to disabled people about Covid pandemic

Covid inquiry ‘must examine catastrophic impact of pandemic on disabled people’

Mayor’s ‘ultra low emission zone’ plans ‘will impact tens of thousands of disabled people’

Disabled activists will push for changes to draft mental health bill that ‘breaches rights’

DWP yet to sign claimant deaths legal agreement with watchdog

‘Huge barrier’ of care charges is forcing disabled people into poverty, peers are told

DWP ignored ‘hugely alarming’ research that linked WCA with 600 suicides, MPs are told

Transport secretary silent after misleading MPs about tactile safety markings

DWP’s ‘failing assessment system is increasing poverty and worsening mental health’

Advice and Information

Readspeaker

Footer

The International Standard Serial Number for Disability News Service is: ISSN 2398-8924

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site map
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 Disability News Service

Site development by A Bright Clear Web