Call for action released calling for the government to provide BSL interpreters for TV coronavirus announcements and updates (with BSL video)

A letter has been released by ASLI (Association of Sign Language Interpreters) calling for the government to provide BSL interpreters for major coronavirus announcements.

The call for action can be watched in BSL here (or scroll down to continue in English):

This follows criticism of the government for the lack of interpreters on some media briefings and in particular, on Monday night’s announcement from Boris Johnson.

The letter points out that BSL interpretation is vitally important so that the 80,000 Deaf people who use BSL are able to understand what is happening and how they are required to act. It points out that other countries provide an interpreter on screen, including Scotland.

The letter also points out that Deaf people who use BSL as their first language cannot always access the English language, so subtitles cannot be expected to have given them full access. The letter also refers to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, referring specifically to Article 11, which deals with emergencies.

The letter, signed by ASLI’s board of directors, can be read on ASLI’s website and can also be seen in full below: