Ciara McCarthy: Share your thoughts in the Scottish Government’s BSL national plan consultation (BSL)

Posted on August 31, 2023 by



In Scotland, a consultation is underway to gather BSL users’ opinions on how the Scottish Government can support and encourage the use of BSL in Scotland. This consultation is based on the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, introduced in the Scottish Parliament on September 15, 2015, and received royal assent on October 22, 2015.

A year later (2016), a BSL national plan was developed with input from a national advisory group and the Scottish government and feedback from the Deaf community in Scotland. This consultation will help draft the second Scottish Government BSL national plan (2023-2029) and will last six years. This plan includes six draft priorities and 27 draft actions.

What are the six draft priorities?

Supporting deaf children, young people, and their families – The Scottish Government aims to empower deaf and deafblind children to grow and thrive in an environment using their chosen language. Additionally, they are working to open doors for deaf people to become schoolteachers and for Teachers of the Deaf to become fluent signers.

Social Care and Wellbeing – The Scottish Government plans to develop guidance on BSL access and provisions for BSL users in the national care service.

BSL Workforce – Scottish Government to consider exploring a BSL workplace strategy and a BSL data strategy, including but not limited to BSL/English interpreting and BSL tutors. Opportunities for deaf and deafblind youth to learn about workplace transition will also be available.

BSL Data – The Scottish government seems ready to acknowledge that current data has gaps. Collecting data on the location of deaf people and BSL users can ensure they receive adequate support so that they can flourish.

BSL Accessibility – The Scottish Government plans to establish cost-effective BSL planning within authorities and Deaf communities. This includes creating a classification system, cooperating with the See Hear approach, and providing information about BSL access for public engagement. They will examine website accessibility and consider financing sources for Contact Scotland BSL, which they deliver and will continue to provide funding for online interpreters. An Implementation Working Group will be implemented to oversee the BSL National Plan, while the BSL Justice Advisory Group will monitor progress and integrate BSL into other justice workstreams.

Promotion of heritage and culture of BSL – The Scottish Government is seeking ways to support the growth of BSL-centred arts and performances in Scotland; in my opinion, this could potentially lead to thrilling growth in this field.

These are summaries of each action plan; if you want further information about what’s been proposed, you can read here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/british-sign-language-bsl-national-plan-2023-2029-scottish-government-consultation/pages/8/ and there’s a BSL version here: http://bslscotlandact2015.scot/bsl-national-plan-consultation/

Are these your priorities for the BSL national plan, or is something missing? You can share your views in different ways to ensure that your thoughts are being listened to, and they are provided below.

You can directly offer your thoughts to the government through this link: https://consult.gov.scot/equality-and-human-rights/british-sign-language-national-plan-2023-2029/consultation/subpage.2023-06-22.2943196357/, or if you prefer to send a BSL video, you can do so by emailing BSLConsult@gov.scot.

The British Deaf Association Scotland also provides face-to-face events in Scotland and Zoom consultations.

Face to Face can be found here:

There are different Zoom calls which you can access – general and LGBTQ+
General. This is open to all Deaf BSL users to share their thoughts about this:

LGBTQ+
This is open to LGBTQ+ Deaf BSL users.

https://twitter.com/BSLScotAct2015/sttus/1686064624515366919

Deaf Action is also doing events, which you can access.

LGBTQ+

If you cannot attend these meetings – your local deaf club may have their consultations; you can attend.

Why is it so important that your views get represented?

Consultations play a crucial role in policy making, and it’s essential to ensure that Deaf BSL users are well-represented in our Scottish Government both now and in the future. This presents an opportunity to address any issues you feel haven’t been adequately addressed in our BSL National Plan. Your feedback is essential because it can shape the next six years in Scotland.

This is an integral part of politics, and I strongly encourage people to offer their thoughts. The consultation ends on the 3rd of September, 2023.

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Posted in: Ciara McCarthy