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
Dr Joanna Atkinson (co-chair)
Dr Joanna Atkinson is a clinical neuropsychologist whose pioneering work has shaped understanding of brain, cognition, and mental health in Deaf BSL 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 BSL Advisory Board between 2022 and 2025, she chaired the health and social care sub-group. She also authored the board’s ‘Locked Out’ report on improving Deaf and Deafblind people’s access to health and social care.
Dr Atkinson was appointed co-chair of the BSL Advisory Board in December 2025. She will work with board members and the 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.
Joanna’s biography in BSL:
Alexandra Gowlland (co-chair)
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 has 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.
Alexandra’s biography in BSL:
Matthew Adedeji
Matthew is a qualified social care professional and an experienced social worker, having worked within both Harrow and Croydon social services. He previously led services supporting Deaf and sensory-impaired people as a Sensory Services Team Manager at Croydon Council. Matthew is the Founder and Director of Care Hand Service Ltd, bringing over 25 years of professional experience in social care and specialist deaf services. Through his agency, he delivers high-quality, BSL–based domiciliary care and supported living services across London, addressing long-standing gaps in accessible and culturally appropriate provision for Deaf people.
Matthew has an extensive history of voluntary leadership and governance. He serves on the boards of trustees for several organisations, including Go! Sign, Hand in Hand (BSL), Hope for Deaf Africans, and the Harrow Association of Disabled People. Matthew is deeply committed to promoting equality, inclusion, and representation.
Matthew’s biography in BSL:
Damian Brewer
Damian is from a Deaf signing family and has personal experience of deafness. He has over 35 years’ experience supporting deaf people in public health, health and community sectors. He is currently the National Training and Consultancy Manager at the British Deaf Association (BDA), developing BSL and Deaf awareness training, deaf/sign language consultancy, and managing the Sign Language Charter. He is also a trainee sign language interpreter specialising in one-to-one community and medical settings.
He is the former Public Health Principal at the London Borough of Croydon, leading on stakeholder engagement, various health strategies, and COVID pandemic response. He co-founded Deaf Rainbow, a Deaf LGBTQ+ network that runs events and support services for the UK’s Deaf LGBTQ+ community.
Damian’s biography in BSL:
Theresa (Teri) Devine
Teri is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). She is Associate Director for Strategic Programmes – Inclusion and Employment at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). Teri leads work on employment policy and programmes to improve employment outcomes for Deaf people. She served on the first iteration of the BSL Advisory Board and brings valuable experience from that role to this latest iteration of the board.
Teri serves as a Trustee at Forth Valley Sensory Centre and is a member of the Justice of the Peace Advisory Committee in Glasgow. She was formerly Vice Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group.
Teri’s biography in BSL:
Catherine Drew MBE
Catherine is the Deputy Headteacher of Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, the UK’s leading dual-language Deaf school. With over 20 years’ experience in Deaf education, she has overcome barriers related to class and Deafness to become a teacher, leader and mentor, drawing on her lived experience to support and inspire others.
She was a driving force behind the BSL Curriculum and played a major role in publishing the national Deaf Studies curriculum. Catherine has also worked with many Deaf organisations to support the development of Deaf education policy and the sharing of best practice worldwide. She is an engaging public speaker for both Deaf and hearing audiences. Catherine served on the first iteration of the Board, joining in March 2025, and will bring her experience and dedication to this iteration of the Board.
Catherine’s biography in BSL:
Marcella Dwek
Marcella is an Adviceline Advisor at deafPLUS and a fourth-generation Deaf BSL user. She provides confidential, accessible advice to Deaf clients on issues including benefits, housing, debt, and employment. With experience at both deafPLUS and Citizens Advice, she has a strong background in advocacy and accessibility and is dedicated to empowering Deaf people to understand their rights.
Marcella is a trustee of Reading Deaf Centre and a former secretary of Nottingham Deaf Club. She is committed to improving access to information, particularly in relation to politics and public services. She was involved in Deaffest, an awards ceremony and 2-day festival celebrating Deaf talent which has become one of the UK’s major Deaf events and the first of its kind globally.
Marcella is a strong communicator with grassroots Deaf communities, including those with limited English literacy.
Marcella’s biography in BSL:
Helen Foulkes
Helen works as a freelance Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) and as a Registered Sign Language Interpreter (Intralingual) RSLI, providing intralingual interpreting in community settings. She has over 30 years’ experience working with and for Deaf and Deafblind people across local and national levels.
Helen is a former Trustee of Action Deafness. She served on the Welsh Government BSL Glossary Development Group and BSL Stakeholder Task and Finish Group, contributing to policy recommendations and language development initiatives. She is an experienced translator and interpreter specialising in accessible communication, safeguarding and community engagement. She is committed to improving translation and interpreting standards through collaboration, accountability, and Deaf community feedback.
Helen’s biography in BSL:
Abigail Gorman
Abigail is Policy and Research manager for SignHealth, a Deaf health charity that focuses on improving the health and well-being of Deaf people through services in BSL, including outreach, registered care, advocacy, domestic abuse and psychological therapies. She is also a trustee of BSL Zone, the leading BSL TV channel in the UK.
Abigail has served on numerous boards in the past, including the editorial board of the European Union of the Deaf Youth, and as a Member of the Board of Trustees in the British Deaf Association (BDA). She has also been Vice Chair of Friends of Frank Barnes, Vice Chair of the BDA, and a board member on the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust. Abigail served on the first iteration of the BSL Advisory Board, joining in March 2025. She will carry her experience and dedication to this new iteration of the board.
Abigail’s biography in BSL:
Laura Hawksworth
Laura is the Internal Communications Officer at SignHealth, and Interim Chair of Deaf Connexions. Laura is highly active in the Deaf community across East Anglia, attending events, workshops, and social gatherings. She uses her roles to gather and represent community views on policy and decision-making. Laura has a record of governance, having served as a Director of Norfolk Deaf Youth.
Laura is committed to ensuring Deaf parents and families are represented in national discussions, addressing barriers in healthcare, education, and social services, and ensuring policies and decisions consider BSL access needs. She has professional experience of advocating for Deafblind people, and is also keen to represent the interests of Deaf people living in rural environments.
Laura’s biography in BSL:
Sabina Iqbal
Sabina Iqbal brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience spanning local government, health and the voluntary sector, with a strong focus on equity, inclusion and improving outcomes for Deaf people and people with sensory needs. She is a service manager for Hertfordshire County Council’s Sensory Services, leading a county‑wide multidisciplinary service and playing a key role in the development and delivery of the Hertfordshire Sensory Strategy.
Sabina served as Chair of SignHealth until October 2024. She is the founder of Deaf Parenting UK, a charity established to improve access to information and highlight systemic barriers faced by Deaf parents. Sabina was recognised in the Disability Power 100 (2024) and received national recognition for her contribution to Sensory Services and Deaf leadership.
Sabina’s biography in BSL:
Hassan Moinuddin
Hassan is a specialist Deafness assistant at the London Borough of Havering where he supports Deaf children and young people and their families and carers. His role includes producing Deaf awareness content and mentoring young adults to foster a strong sense of Deaf identity and culture.
Hassan is a Deaf Muslim with bilateral cochlear implants. He is deeply committed to ensuring that children and adults in his community have access to BSL. He has been involved in Model United Nations conferences worldwide, including in London, New York and Kobe. He also has a keen interest in film and television, creating works that explore the experiences and stories of Deaf people in all walks of life.
Hassan’s biography in BSL:
Ahmed Mudawi
Ahmed works as a TV presenter for the BBC’s ‘See Hear’ with new production from SignPost. He previously worked for ‘This is Deaf’ under BSL Zone. He is a qualified translator and a trainee deaf relay interpreter. He is a trustee of BDA, a Black Deaf Consultant, and has a voluntary role on the committee of Deaf Interpreters Network. He is a member of St Johns Community Deaf Club in London, the BDA Clapham Deaf Club, ASLI (Association Sign Language Interpreter), Colour Interpreters Network and Black Deaf UK.
Ahmed served on the first iteration of the BSL Advisory Board, where he led the technology working group. He also represented the board at the United Nations, speaking at an event on AI and technology. He brings this valuable experience into the next iteration of the board.
Ahmed’s biography in BSL:
Jemina Napier
Jemina is an academic and researcher specialising in sign language interpreting, social inclusion, and access to public services, with extensive international and national experience. She holds an MA in BSL/English interpreting and a PhD in Linguistics.
She has served on multiple boards and committees, including:
- the Scottish Government’s BSL Justice Advisory Group
- the Board of Governance for the Scottish Institute for Policing Research
- the Ministry of Justice Working Group on deaf people’s experiences in the criminal justice system
Her research has influenced policy changes, including enabling Deaf people to serve as jurors. She regularly produces bilingual content and leads community-participatory research projects in collaboration with national and international Deaf and stakeholder organisations.
Jemina’s biography in BSL:
David (Dai) O’Brien
Dai is an Associate Professor of BSL and Deaf Studies at York St John University. He has over 10 years’ academic experience researching deaf lives and how deaf people navigate hearing-dominated spaces. He previously led research development within the School of Education, Languages and Psychology and has shaped institutional policy through multiple governance and funding committees. He now acts as Research Lead for Languages and Linguistics within the School.
Dai is a member of the BDA’s Research Forum and co-ordinates the BSL provision as one of the co-leads at DeafZone for Glastonbury. He has a collaborative approach and a strong focus on evidence-based solutions to barriers the Deaf community face.
Dai’s biography in BSL:
Kate Reed
Kate is the Head of Deaf Provisions in Wakefield, Yorkshire. She leads a Deaf-led team of Deaf teachers, instructors and qualified interpreters across primary, secondary and post-16 phases. She previously worked at a national level with the Department for Education as an inclusion expert in deaf education and SEND for several years.
Kate is a member of the British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People, and serves on the committee for Deaf Teachers of the Deaf. Since 2017, she has collaborated with several universities to support the training and development of Teachers of the Deaf.
In 2021, she was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship for her international research into Deaf Education. In 2023, she qualified as a sign language interpreter and is an active ASLI member. She previously served on the first iteration of the BSL Advisory Board and brings valuable experience from that role to this new iteration of the board.
Kate’s biography in BSL:
Sarah Reed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvbnR4FV590
Sarah is a Deafblind BSL user with over 35 years’ experience working with and for Deafblind people across research, training, and policy. She is a former board and advisory member for Sense, RNID, Signature (CACDP), and the Royal Association for Deaf People. She currently chairs the Deafblind working group for LumoTV, leading accessibility improvements for Deafblind audiences.
Sarah’s petition on the shortage of Deafblind interpreters led to collaboration with the BSL Advisory Board on national training standards. Her approach to collaboration with the board led to the qualifications and regulatory bodies resolving a 10-year issue for the Deafblind community.
She is committed to intersectional inclusion and ensuring the voices of Deafblind BSL users are represented.
Sarah’s biography in BSL:
Christopher Reid
Christopher is a director of service delivery at Action Deafness. He provides strategic leadership across care and community services for Deaf adults and children throughout the Midlands, South East England, and South Wales. He leads on service delivery, business development, and the establishment of new specialist support services.
He formerly held commissioner roles across health and social care, having insight into local authority and NHS systems. He works closely with councils and integrated care boards to influence strategy and improve outcomes for Deaf people.
He has held multiple board and trustee roles, including with StageText, the British Society for Mental Health and Deaf People (BSMHD) and Action Deafness. He represents Deaf communities on local partnership boards.
Christopher’s biography in BSL:
Lucy Wox
Lucy is a Deaf BSL user with additional disabilities. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Law at the University of the West of England, focusing on the eradication and prevention of language deprivation among Deaf children.
Lucy serves as SEND Governor at Elmfield School for Deaf children, where she contributes to strategic decision-making and advocates for inclusive education. She also volunteers with the National Deaf Children’s Society, sharing her story to parents of Deaf children.
She previously worked as a senior administrator at the International Institute of Sign Languages and Deaf Studies (iSLanDS) at the University of Lancashire. In that role she assisted in organising SIGN10, an international academic conference focused on sign languages and Deaf studies.
Lucy’s biography in BSL:
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.