Advocating for better British Sign Language (BSL) provision in Wales

According to Swansea University’s Hidden inequality (2021) report, there are over half a million Deaf or hard of hearing people in Wales, which is more than the combined populations of Cardiff and Swansea. However, there is a real shortage of BSL interpreters in Wales, and there are concerns about the quality of interpreting on offer, due to first-language BSL signers being under-represented in the profession.

Deaf BSL signers and Deaf-led organisations report challenges in many aspects of their lives and work, especially when engaging with public services, due to a lack of BSL access. For example, BSL signers can struggle through medical appointments where a BSL interpreter has not been booked. This adds to stress, confusion and worse health outcomes.

When public services use unqualified or unregistered BSL translators for official communications, particularly in health or education settings, insufficient BSL is a safeguarding issue and can have a long-term negative impact on people and wider society. Poor BSL can lead to development delays, social isolation, mental health challenges and lower educational attainment.

The British Deaf Association’s Audit for British Sign Language Charter, commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2022, recognised that there are shortfalls in BSL provision for people in Wales across all public services. There are also limited options for BSL signers to complain about poor services or support because complaints processes are usually in English or Welsh with no BSL option.

The social model of disability explains that people are not disabled by their impairment or difference, but are disabled by the barriers in society that limits their access to take part. This puts the responsibility on wider society, including the Welsh Government, to include disabled people and create access by removing barriers, whether these are physical barriers or negative attitudes.

Changes proposed by the new Bill

This year, North Wales regional member of the Senedd, Mark Isherwood, who has lived experience of this issue himself, is working with the Deaf Issues Cross Party Group and the Senedd engagement team to shape a draft BSL (Wales) Bill with input from Deaf people and others who understand the challenges.

A Private Member’s Bill, British Sign Language Bill, was introduced into the House of Commons and received Royal Assent in 2022. However, the provisions relating to Wales are very limited, with reporting duties only falling on the Secretary of State for Wales.

The purpose of the new Bill is to make it easier for people to use BSL in Wales, improve access to education, health and public services in BSL and remove barriers for Deaf people and their families. The Bill will focus on matters devolved to Wales that Welsh Government has responsibility for and powers over, such as: local government, housing, transport, education, and health. The Bill also aims to ensure that people who use BSL are not treated less favourably than those who speak Welsh or English, with a proposal to establish a BSL Commissioner with the same powers as other minority languages.

What small charities are doing

There are some amazing charities working in Wales to break down barriers for Deaf and hard of hearing people in Wales. At the Foundation, we are proud to be partnering with 43 small and local charities led by and working with Deaf and Disabled people who are experiencing disadvantage and poverty, with 13 of these based in Wales. We are committed to playing our part in promoting equity and inclusion, and in tackling inequality and discrimination.

Here’s what some of our charity partners are doing:

Accessibility Powys works across Wales’ largest and most rural region. The staff and volunteers at Accessibility Powys have a huge task at hand making sure that Deaf and disabled people in Powys can fully access and contribute to their communities and get the support they need and deserve.

Disability Arts Cymru produces art that shares the lived experience of disability, develops Disabled and Deaf creative talent, and delivers disability access and inclusion training.

Taking Flight Theatre in Cardiff creates unique theatre productions with Deaf, Disabled, non-disabled and neurodivergent performers, touring Wales and beyond. Taking Flight Theatre also runs inclusive professional training courses & mentoring schemes for people who identify as Deaf, Disabled or neurodivergent.

Respond to the consultation

Focus groups and interviews with the Senedd Engagement team have already taken place. If you’d like to contribute to this draft BSL (Wales) Bill, you can respond to and share the consultation. The consultation is live until 31 January, and you can respond in BSL, English, or Welsh.