British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board
The BSL Advisory Board is a non-statutory board of 19 people – mostly BSL users – including 2 co-chairs. The board was established in December 2022 to advise the government on issues that are important to Deaf people, and on how to put the BSL Act into practice.
The BSL Advisory Board is a non-statutory, dual language (BSL and English) board made up of 19 members, including 2 co-chairs. It was established following the BSL Act in 2022 to advise the UK government on matters of importance to Deaf people and on the implementation of the BSL Act.
The board works closely with ministers and government officials to inform policy development, and to improve the government’s communication with BSL users and the Deaf community. Each board serves a 3-year tenure and is led by 2 co-chairs, one a BSL user, and the other a senior civil servant.
Role
The board meets regularly to:
- identify and discuss issues affecting BSL users when they access public services
- advise government departments on how to improve inclusion for BSL users, including through the delivery of departments’ BSL plans
- share good practice and support consistent approaches across government
The board identifies and discusses the key issues faced by the Deaf community through a number of subgroups focused on specific themes.
Between 2022 and 2025, the board’s subgroups have focused on education, health and social care, government communications, technology, and issues faced by Deafblind people.
Members
The BSL Advisory Board is co-chaired by Joanna Atkinson and a senior civil servant.
Co-chairs
Joanna Atkinson
Dr Joanna Atkinson is a Clinical Neuropsychologist whose pioneering work has shaped understanding of brain, cognition, and mental health in Deaf British Sign Language users. Over nearly 3 decades, she has worked across NHS, academic, and medicolegal settings to improve BSL access and provision for Deaf and Deafblind people. As a member of the government’s BSL Advisory Board from 2022 to 2025, she chaired the health and social care subgroup and authored the board’s report on improving Deaf and Deafblind people’s access to health and social care. As co-chair, Dr Atkinson will work with board members and government to build on the board’s previous work, ensuring that the linguistic rights, accessibility needs, and lived experiences of BSL users continue to shape government policy and deliver meaningful change.
Alexandra Gowlland
Alexandra Gowlland has been the Deputy Director of the Disability Unit in the Cabinet Office since March 2023. She joined the Civil Service in 2011, and previously worked in the Cabinet Office, Government Equalities Office, Department of Health and Social Care, and Department for Education. She started her career working in public affairs in London, Brussels and Washington DC.
Board members
- Matthew Adedeji
- Damian Brewer
- Theresa Devine
- Catherine Drew
- Marcella Dwek
- Helen Foulkes
- Abigail Gorman
- Laura Hawksworth
- Sabina Iqbal
- Hassan Moinuddin
- Ahmed Mudawi
- Jemina Napier
- David O’Brien
- Kate Reed
- Sarah Reed
- Christopher Reid
- Lucy Wox
Biographies for board members will be posted here soon.
Meetings
The BSL Advisory Board meets every 3 months.
Read the BSL Advisory Board meeting summaries.
Terms of reference
Read the terms of reference for the BSL Advisory Board on GOV.UK.
Rebecca Mansell, CEO, British Deaf Association, said:
What the BSL Advisory Board has done in the last 3 years is truly remarkable. I applaud them. They are all Deaf sign language users who are using their influence on government.
Oral evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee, Access to British Sign Language, 10 September 2025. Read the transcript of this session – also available in PDF – or watch the session on Parliament TV.