Chloe Smith, the minister for people with disabilities, today announced the start of recruitment for the newly established British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board, which will see BSL users advise the government on important problems affecting the Deaf community.
The BSL Act 2022, which will officially recognise BSL as an official language in England, Scotland, and Wales for the first time, will have a significant impact on citizens all across the nation. The new Board will give the government individualised and professional guidance on how to execute the Act.
The Board’s mandate is to:
- advising on the use of BSL in public communications and policy delivery
- advising on how to tackle key issues facing Deaf people, such as how to increase the numbers of BSL interpreters
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith said:
“The British Sign Language Act is helping to remove barriers faced by Deaf people in daily life and the Advisory Board is a key element of this important work.
“The Board will help deliver better outcomes for the Deaf community by advising government on how to tackle key issues facing Deaf people, such as how to increase the number of BSL interpreters and making sure BSL is at the heart of government policy.
“I would urge anyone with a passion for helping us create a more inclusive and accessible society to consider applying for a position on the Board.”
Departments will report on how they are ensuring their communications are accessible, and there will be guidance provided on how to make public services more accessible to BSL users.
One external chair and one senior civil servant chair will co-chair the Board. In addition to the co-chairs, the Board will have at least 16 members, the majority of whom will be Deaf BSL signers, including Deafblind individuals and/or those who employ tactile sign. The primary requirements for appointment for the Board members and the independent co-chair will be a lived experience of BSL and a commitment to work cooperatively to help the government become more accessible.
According to the British Sign Language Bill, a Private Member’s Bill put forth by Rosie Cooper, MP, BSL is now officially recognised as a language of England, Wales, and Scotland. The Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is required to report on what each relevant government department has done to encourage or enable the use of British Sign Language in its dealings with the general public.
The application deadline is Friday, September 2, 2022, at 5 p.m.