The campaign to increase the amount of sign language access on TV in Scotland has gained more publicity with a story in Scotland’s The National about the lack of BSL access on the Holyrood leaders’ debates.
Toby Dawson wrote and signed for us on the subject last week (see his article here) and is also quoted in the National’s story. You can sign the petition for more access here.
Extract:
DISABILITY rights campaigners have accused the BBC and STV of “failing” deaf people by not providing British Sign Language interpreters on the Holyrood leaders’ debates.
They said the decision was especially disappointing following the passing of legislation last year placing obligations on public organisations to promote BSL.
Activists also claimed it was also an editorial shortcoming given the prominence of disability issues following the resignation this month of Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith over disability benefits cuts.
Deaf people said they felt excluded from the two televised events, which were broadcast on STV on Tuesday night and on the BBC last Thursday, as the subtitles provided were not as good as having a BSL practitioner.
“The British Sign Language Bill became an Act last year, yet interpreters are still not being provided on important programmes such as the BBC and STV leaders’ debates,” said campaigner Toby Dawson.
Read the full story here: http://www.thenational.scot/news/campaigners-hit-out-over-lack-of-sign-language-on-leaders-debates.15766
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Cathy
April 1, 2016
Well, I, for one, am not surprised at this story! I knew this would happen. Passing legislation whatever it may be, means absolutely nothing, when those at grassroot level don’t have a clue about new legislation!
It is no different to other legislation anywhere in Britain: such as the fines they implemented for using a mobile phone while driving. There is a fine but still, even when people know, thousands drive and use a mobile phone!
On the other hand legislation is sometimes rushed through leaving all kinds of loopholes, that nobody thought of, such as: the dangerous dogs act. Dogs still maim and kill people, the legislation on dangerous dogs, didn’t save them!
Legislation on sign language is no different! Is everyone at grassroot level aware of such legislation? I bet they are not! Even if they are, where is the will to implement it? And in a world where everyone rushes through life, the last thing anyone is thinking about is how will deaf people access this, that or the other?!
Quell at the surprise? Non!!
Toby Dawson
April 1, 2016
Hello,
We are looking at the fact that when it was the UK Parliament 2015 General Elections, BSL interpretation was provided for TV programmes covering the 2015 UK election and even BBC’s See Hear did an hour special on the UK GE 2015 too.
BBC’s Question Time provides BSL interpretation a day after it was shown “live” : http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b07453vd/sign/question-time-17032016
As I’m a Scotsman wanting tae know what’s happening in my country, and I feel that it’s not just me but all of us that should be entitled tae BSL interpretation of Scottish TV programmes such as the debates that we have had so far.
I was pleased tae see Avril Hepner of BDA Scotland and Deli Henry of AOHL Scotland backing our campaign as highlighted in the article.
The great thing about our campaign that we managed tae get others tae lobby the politicians like the One in Five organisation – http://www.oneinfive.scot and they managed tae get all the politicians who were gong to be debating tae support our campaign – Nicola Sturgeon, Kezia Dugdale, Ruth Davidson, Willie Rennie and Patrick Harvie.
It’s worth pointing out that BBC See Hear talked about the BSL becoming an Act, and I saw people saying that it was important tae the rest of the UK because it proved that BSL is a language which needed tae be made applicable through an Act.
We are pointing out that we want the same for Scottish TV channels when it comes tae BSL interpretation for Scottish TV programmes compared tae the rest of the U.K.
Having BSL on Scottish TV channels would boost accessibility and visibility, I can remember how Simeon Hart struggled tae apply for funding for his bid tae be elected as a MP, David Buxton of the BDA backed him by saying that the access to campaign fund should be reinstated.
The good news for Scotland next year in their local elections, disabled candidates can apply for funding including BSL interpreters.
Hence, the importance of having BSL access for the Scottish Parliament General Elections TV debates.