Brexit is something which concerns the UK’s many subcultures as much as it does the country as a whole.
EU nationals living in Britain (and vice versa) still await a guarantee that their rights will be protected, students don’t know if the Erasmus exchange scheme will continue, and for us deaf people, we could have our own Brexit and leave the European Union of the Deaf (EUD).
It’s an organisation which we’ve had close ties to since the beginning. It was the UK’s representative – the British Deaf Association – which founded the organisation, and Briton John Young was its first President.
With a vision to have everyone’s linguistic rights respected (including those of deaf sign language users), the EUD’s called for the recognition of sign languages in each member state, increased awareness of deaf and disabled refugees, and accessible emergency services – to name but a few of their campaigns.
Our role in these achievements is to change post-Brexit. Whilst the BDA has said that both them and the EUD will do all they can to ensure that we are ‘a vital part’ of the group post-Brexit, a statement by the organisation last year said the UK’s ‘new status’ with the EU will determine our ties with them. Deaf people face their own form of uncertainty over our vote to leave, but we must not let that affect our community, our enthusiasm, and our passion for change.
Now is the time to carry on campaigning and continue the work of the EUD on a national level. This, of course, would be nothing but familiar territory for our Deaf charities, who have already done some incredible work over the years to improve the lives of those living with a hearing loss.
It’s even something which we have seen much more recently in Parliament, with Labour MP Dawn Butler signing a question about the legal status of BSL. We must continue putting pressure on the government when it comes to these matters, regardless of what our future relationship with the EUD will look like.
It will be a challenge which we can all take on together as a strong community, and we still have a long way to go. In terms of accessible emergency services, we already have the brilliant Emergency SMS to thank for enabling people who are deaf or speech impaired to text 999 in a crisis. However, it’s something which we must keep promoting with only 214,000 people registered to the service as of January this year. Whilst we do not know how many of these people are deaf, it’s nowhere near the 900,000 with a severe or profound deafness, that’s for sure.
As much as this ‘Deaf Brexit’ should motivate us to seek change, it also comes with a warning. A vote for us to separate from the European Union and its smaller bodies such as the EUD should not allow us to fall into a state of isolationism.
Deaf culture can always be interpreted as being both inclusive and exclusive. At its heart is a tight-knit subculture with a ‘one big happy family’ feel about it, but at the same time, knowing BSL has become a requirement in order to reap the full benefits of the community. It’s important that we allow other EU countries to find out more about our deaf culture, as we hope to learn about theirs.
At the moment, we have viral videos on Facebook to thank for offering us an insight into the world’s many sign languages – but there’s more to each country’s deaf community than just the language they use. The EUD no doubt allowed the British Deaf Association to find common ground and issues which other member states share, as well as offer them an insight into Deaf communities in other countries. It’s important that in the future, we develop these connections beyond the realms of social media.
Every subculture has the chance to voice their concerns now that Article 50 has been triggered. Of course, we may have to wait a while following the announcement of a surprise snap election, but it’s important that when our government negotiates in Brussels, they are aware of the wishes of Britons from a variety of backgrounds – including deaf people.
Next month, the EUD will meet in Malta to discuss how they will continue co-operating with and supporting the British Deaf community after Brexit. Whilst we wait for them to publish news of their decision, now is the time to strengthen our connections with other Deaf communities in Europe, carry on campaigning, and ensure that the government listens to us. Regardless of our individual stances on Brexit, we can all unite as a community to make our voices heard.
Read more of Liam’s writing for us here.
Liam O’Dell is mildly deaf and uses hearing aids in both ears. Alongside studying for a degree in journalism, Liam enjoys presenting his own radio show, listening to music and reading one of the many books on his ’to-be-read’ list. You can find out more about Liam over at his blog: www.thelifeofathinker.
Queby
April 28, 2017
I didn’t know there was a European Union of the Deaf!
Tim
April 28, 2017
Just because a small majority voted for this silly brexit doesn’t mean that we have to leave the European Union of the Deaf.
“Deaf culture can always be interpreted as being both inclusive and exclusive. At its heart is a tight-knit subculture with a ‘one big happy family’ feel about it, but at the same time, knowing BSL has become a requirement in order to reap the full benefits of the community.”
By ‘exclusive’ do you mean shunning people or leaving them out? If so, I thought we had done away with that sort of unpleasant apartheid.
nathan
April 28, 2017
Brexit will have absolutely no influence on the EUD. It will continue as there is no economic or trade barriers involved. Stop fear mongering.
samthornesite
April 28, 2017
What possible benefit would there be in leaving the EUD? The cultural support is still essential across Europe and shouldn’t be affected by the fractures in the trade and economic bridges across the channel. Hopefully common sense will prevail and there will be no deaf Brexit; that would be rather like the UK deaf population shooting itself in the foot.
Really good point about the need to promote emergency SMS. I’m still surprised by the number of deaf people I come across who know nothing about it!
nathan
April 28, 2017
I am not sure why they are even talking about leaving EUD – this is actually fear mongering and the reason exactly why so many people voted Leave because all these fears are complete rubbish and complete load of nonsense.
We are leaving the European Union but we are not leaving Europe.
This wont affect EUD activities, and if it does, then it is completely right to leave the EU as culture organisations should be above politics.
Tim
May 1, 2017
Glad to see that I’m not the only pone who sees the problem here.
Surprised that the author did not see fit to return to clarify why he thinks leaving the EUD was even on the table.
Was it a case of making an assumption? Like I said before, just because the brexit camp edged ahead in this silly opinion poll doesn’t mean that anybody else has to leave any other European outfit.
nathan
May 2, 2017
Tim,
Just a small correction there – It is not a “silly opinion poll”. It was a serious decision whether to leave or remain in the EU.
There are very valid economic arguments for leaving the EU so it is not considered a “silly brexit” .
Tim
May 2, 2017
Sorry, Nathan, but it was a very silly opinion poll.
But I agree that it’s a “serious decision” now – a serious Tory-created catastrophe.
There are next to no “very valid economic arguments for leaving the EU,” but several tomes of very valid economic arguments to stay in the EU.
But I’m not really interested in debating this side issue, I just want to know why anybody would think we have to leave the EUD.
nathan
May 2, 2017
This is not really the place to discuss the pro and cons of Brexit – but to call it a catastrophe is unfair.
Plenty of very valid economic arguments to leave – if you have no idea about protectionism economics , WTO tariffs, and free trade agreements, I think it probably would be best to stay silence rather than spouting “catastrophe” and saying “next to no very valid economic arguments” on here.
At least we agree that the there will be no “Brexit” of the EUD 🙂
Editor
May 2, 2017
As Liam’s article said, the outcome of the Brexit negotiations will also determine the future of Britain’s involvement with EUD.
This is what the EUD said last year in more detail:
Since EUD looks to influence European politics and law to the benefit of D/deaf people, Britain leaving the EU would make British involvement in EUD a bit redundant (since any European political influence or law changes wouldn’t have any impact on British Deaf people).
At least that’s my reading of it – happy for others to chip in.
Charlie (Editor)
Tim
May 2, 2017
Well, that helps a bit, thanks Charlie.
I could be wrong, but I think that a lot of Deaf people’s rights come from human rights law ie The European Convention on Human Rights, which we are still signed up to, and other European organisations that are distinct form the EU, so perhaps there’s a good case to be made for not leaving the EUD.
Editor
May 2, 2017
Sure – if I had my way we wouldn’t be leaving the EU or the EUD!
What concerns me is that if Britain leaves the EU, those relationships between European law and British law start to be broken and that could leave British Deaf people in a weaker position on many issues than their European counterparts.
Toby Dawson
May 2, 2017
It’s likely that Scotland will be seeking a new Scottish independence referendum in due course.
The BDA have been enigmatic at times with their position on Scotland.
I have no desire to criticise the BDA and individuals who are seeking to improve Deaf & sign language rights.
However, the BDA’s thinking on Scotland is extremely outdated in my own personal opinion with all due respect.
A big question must be asked if the BDA will actually represent Scotland fairly in the upcoming event in Malta.
The BDA must represent Scotland’s Deaf Community with the utmost respect, and to be neutral by preparing Scotland’s entry into the EUD via the form of a new organisation representing Deaf people or the BDA can catch up with the times by giving BDA Scotland their own independent status fit for purpose in the light of a current devolved Scottish Parliament, but with the ability to become a fully functioning
autonomous organisation when the time comes, and in my own personal opinion, it is something inevitable.
*That* would be a sensible move by the BDA giving the Scottish Deaf Community, the best possibly preparation in advance.
It’s not just Scotland but Northern Ireland too.
I’m a Scotsman, with a stake in our own future, and I’m hoping that the BDA will do the right thing.