Is progress around British Sign Language (BSL) happening quickly enough?
25th November - 02nd December 2022
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Total votes
5-11 votes
11-16+ votes
There has been a growth in interest as well as provision for people who use British Sign Language (BSL).
Actor Rose Ayling-Ellis and Love Island Contestant Tasha Ghouri have brought to the forefront some of the issues that deaf people experience. They have both been involved in promoting the use of BSL in schools and in wider society.
These have taken the form of dramatic advances in implants to help those hard of hearing or the increasing use of BSL.
There are an estimated 151,000 people who use BSL and that number is growing.
In support of International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3rd December, our voters considered the use of British Sign Language to improve accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
It is worth noting that many in this community don’t define themselves as having a disability, however laws are in place through the British Equality Act (2010) to ensure their rights are protected. Our voters discussed what progress has already been made around BSL and whether it is enough.
"I think we need more awareness of BSL as people who are deaf must feel very isolated. If we all learn BSL, people will feel appreciated."
"There could still be lots more done and maybe young children should be taught BSL basics in nursery. Some of this progress should have been made a long time ago. People have been deaf for a long time."
"There is progress happening which is good, but there needs to be more happening so that awareness spreads faster and things become more accessible in the future."
