Deaf young people who use British Sign Language (BSL) will have equal opportunities to complete apprenticeships, following policy changes announced yesterday by Robert Halfon MP.
Apprentices currently all have to pass English functional skills tests before they can complete a course, which has proven problematic for many deaf young people. However, the Skills Minister has pledged that BSL qualifications will soon be accepted as an alternative to these tests.
18-year-old engineering apprentice and BSL user Max Buxton (whose father Rob wrote this article about the issue for Limping Chicken back in March last year) is also celebrating the announcement, having struggled to progress from an intermediate to advanced course because of the English functional skills tests. After 18 months of intense studying and exam retakes, Max passed – but now faces further tests to complete his advanced course.
Max said: “Being deaf and dyslexic, I find English tests really hard. It’s very difficult to translate BSL into English and for it all to make sense. My employer has said how well I’m doing and doesn’t think my language skills are an issue, but I still can’t complete the apprenticeship without passing that test. It’s an unfair, unnecessary rule that has created a lot of stress, so I’m very pleased things are changing now.”
The Buxton family has campaigned with their MP, Graham Allen, and the National Deaf Children’s Society for BSL to be formally recognised so that Max and other apprentices like him can thrive.
Brian Gale OBE, Policy and Campaigns Director at the National Deaf Children’s Society, explained: “We’re delighted that the Government has committed to these changes, because it was making it very challenging for some deaf young people to complete their courses.
“BSL is a totally different language, so for users to meet this kind of academic standard is a much bigger challenge than it would be for a native English speaker. We heard from parents whose deaf children who were doing brilliant work in their apprenticeships but being held back by that, which they understandably felt was unfair.
“Most deaf young people move to vocational education at 16, and apprenticeships are a much-needed route to employment. For those whose first language is BSL, this simple change will mean they truly have equal opportunities to achieve their potential.”
The announcement has also been praised by the British Association of Teachers of the Deaf (BATOD), the Association of Deaf Education Professionals and Trainees (ADEPT) and Signature – all of whom campaigned to change the system, which they said discriminated against some deaf people.
Skills Minister Robert Halfon MP commented: “I am committed to breaking down barriers to ensure people of all ages and all backgrounds get on the ladder of opportunity through an apprenticeship.
“For those whose first language is BSL, this simple change will allow them to achieve their full potential. I look forward to implementing more changes like this to make sure apprenticeships can work for as many people as possible, whatever their background.”
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Mervyn James
January 6, 2017
This did not explain the position properly. That sign is ‘recognised’ is misleading, it was before, the full article stated many BSL users would need to gain higher BSL qualifications BEFORE they can undertake some apprenticeships because their lack of English awareness would prevent them succeeding in attaining the right skills. if you are an average signer you won’t be able to attain the academics needed, so your BSL skills need to be on par with the English level of knowledge needed for the job. Time for culture to fess up to their unproven claims of being bi-lingual and here they will be put to the test. I’d agree that pressurises deaf, but the blame lies with BSL tuition and deaf education who still believe not equipping deaf children to cope in a hearing world is a right, even if it permanently ostracises them from mainstream for life. It is why many deaf fail to go on to Universities and FE, if culture insists on going its own way, then they won’t be able to equip deaf people to do a job on par with hearing. I could suggest this is depriving it’s own culture of equal rights. The plain fact is many deaf are not au fait with their own language.
Cathy
January 6, 2017
I totally agree with everything Mervyn has said. Many deaf people do not have enough knowledge or skill that matches the English equivalent. Is this now going to be the norm, that deaf people can pass using mediocre BSL skills? And what happens when they are not quite up to the job at the end of all that? Who would be to blame? It is vital for Deaf children to learn to read with extra tuition. Leaving them reliant on BSL is not going to help make them truly fit for the world of work. And when mistakes are made it will reflect badly on the whole Deaf community, not just the one who “passed” with BSL.
Tim
January 8, 2017
Hearies are fantastic at creating “opportunities” for Deaf people in the low or no pay sector, but are nowhere to be seen in the creation of opportunities in the good or decent pay sector. Funny, that.
Rob Buxton.
January 9, 2017
It is very very clear both the above individuals do not understand the full picture or policy changes about to be implemented. I appreciate articles can sometimes miss out information but despite that you should be pleased there is now a way forward for thousands of deaf young people in apprenticeships and FE education generally. Understand the full facts of the case first before making narrow minded statements like those above. ROB BUXTON (MAX BUXTON’S DAD).
Cathy
January 9, 2017
Rob, maths is a functional skill, so how would deaf people use BSL when you have to show your working out? Is the interpreter going to do the working out for them? That is hardly showing your skills in an equivalent fashion.
And what happens at the next level if they don’t have the skills to cope, is BSL to be used again, when they may not have enough of their own language skills to match the English equivalent at a higher level?
I don’t think you realise that hearies are totally unaware of BSL grammar etc and is not really an equivalent of English, if a Deaf person only has skills that reach level 2 in BSL. That is what we are talking about, irrespective of “all the facts!”