Guidance

Ministerial foreword and about the board (BSL and English)

Updated 7 September 2022

Ministerial foreword

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGz4x3yVwxk

The passing of the British Sign Language (BSL) Act (2022) has given BSL the legal recognition it deserves and for which Deaf people have campaigned for many years.

The work now begins to implement the Act, to guide government departments on understanding their duties, to support departments in their use of BSL across public communications and to publicly report on our progress. Integral to this is ensuring the needs of BSL signers are at the heart of what we do.

We are establishing the BSL Advisory Board so that BSL signers can advise on the implementation of the Act and in doing so bring together their lived experience from across England, Wales and Scotland.

I was delighted to support the British Sign Language Bill through Parliament and I extend my thanks to Rosie Cooper MP and all who have campaigned so hard to get us here. I look forward to continuing to work with BSL signers in ensuring the Act is fully implemented and that we better understand and offer solutions to barriers to inclusion for all who have BSL as their language.

Chloe Smith MP
Minister for Disabled People
Department for Work and Pensions

Overview of the Board

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69DqcvQoywc

A British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board is being established to help advise the government on the implementation of the British Sign Language Act 2022. This Act legally recognises BSL as a language of England, Wales and Scotland. It requires government departments to report on how they are ensuring accessibility of their communications through the use of BSL.

This is a new and unique opportunity, which will involve BSL signers in helping government services to be more accessible to Deaf people. Members of the BSL Advisory Board will also guide on wider issues affecting BSL, such as the availability and supply of interpreters.

Members will use their expertise and experience to help ensure the voices of Deaf people are recognised and valued in a way that informs policy and strategy across government. It is an excellent opportunity for people to gain knowledge and experience of cross-government policy, along with an understanding of the delivery of those policies in front-line services.

We are recruiting for board members and an independent co-chairperson.

We welcome applications from people with experience of:

• signing BSL as their first language, as a Deaf person
• signing BSL as their second language as a parent of Deaf child(ren) or as a child of Deaf adult (CODA)
• working as a qualified and registered interpreter or translator
• working for an organisation which represents, supports or advocates for BSL signers
• working with Deaf children and young people as a Teacher using BSL
• using tactile or hands-on BSL as a first or primary language

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 2 September 2022.

Terms of reference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRtEaWEUkF4

The BSL Advisory Board is a new expert committee which will advise the government on the implementation of the BSL Act and other matters important to BSL signers. The Board will:

• advise on the production of guidance for government departments on the use of BSL in public communications and policy delivery

• examine the remit and reach of the British Sign Language Report and make suggestions for the Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to consider when detailing the progress of government departments in their use of BSL in their communications

• advise on how to increase the numbers of qualified and registered BSL interpreters

• be a platform to represent the views of the Deaf community to benefit the government’s understanding of the needs of BSL signers and how to progress implementation of the Act – this may involve setting up working groups or hosting a focus group

It is not a decision making body. It will not advise on matters devolved to the Scottish and Welsh governments.

Membership of the board

The first term of the Board will be from 2022 to 2025. The Board will be chaired jointly by an independent chairperson and a senior civil servant.

The Board will be composed of mainly Deaf BSL signers from across the regions of England, with one member from Wales, one member from Scotland and one person who is a tactile signer.

Members will be appointed for 3 years, reviewed annually by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and will be expected to attend all meetings.

Where possible, the Board will encompass regional variations in BSL and a range of lived experiences. This will include experiences of:

• parents of Deaf children
• CODA
• being qualified and registered interpreter or translator
• being a tactile signer
• representing organisations instrumental in the BSL Act Now! campaign

All external appointments will be made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions following an open recruitment process. A reserve list of suitably qualified applicants may be established and maintained in order to fill any vacancies which may arise over the term of the board.

Operation of the board

The Board will meet 4 times a year and will be a mix of in-person and online meetings. The length of meetings may vary depending on the agenda, but will usually be between 2 to 3 hours, on a weekday.

The board will publish information on its activities online in both BSL and English and will operate as a dual language Board, with all meetings being held in both languages.

The secretariat of the BSL Advisory Board is the Cabinet Office Disability Unit. The sponsoring department is DWP.

Find out more about the roles and how to apply.

Easy read versions

• Ministerial foreword

• What the Board will do