Policy paper

British Sign Language (BSL) 5-year plan: Department for Business and Trade (English and BSL versions)

Published 21 July 2025

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

BSL version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUMqYD2WEaw

Introduction

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. Our British Sign Language (BSL) Plan is designed to integrate and raise awareness of BSL within our department. We want to ensure that BSL users have equal access to communication and marketing activities about our services and policies. Our vision is to make BSL a natural and integrated part of our communication and marketing activity.

Why BSL integration is important

BSL is a vital means of communication for many deaf people. Deaf audiences often face language gaps, technology failures, exclusion from live communication and a feeling that organisations are not thinking about them from the start. By integrating BSL into our department’s communication and marketing activity, we are not only complying with a legal requirement but demonstrating our commitment to making government communication accessible and inclusive. This plan will align with our broader accessibility and inclusion policy, to remove barriers and promote equal opportunities for all.

Objectives of our BSL plan

Our 5-year plan is structured around 3 main objectives:

1. Raising awareness

Building insight and educating our staff about BSL and the needs of the deaf community to build understanding and a more inclusive approach to external communications. 

2. Improving accessibility

Ensuring that our major communications moments are accessible to BSL users. 

3. Engaging with the deaf community

Building relationships with the deaf community and organisations such as the British Deaf Association (BDA) and the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD). Build a better understanding of the needs of BSL and get feedback on our initiatives.

The 5-year plan

5-Year plan to integrate, raise awareness and champion adoption of BSL in relevant external communication in the Department for Business and Trade.

Year 1: Foundation and awareness

Objective: Build a solid foundation and raise awareness of the needs of BSL users within the department.

Staff awareness and education

Deaf awareness sessions: Deaf awareness virtual and in-person sessions with the BSL Cabinet Office team or external BSL organisations for all DBT communication and marketing staff. These sessions will cover:

• the history of BSL
• the importance of accessible communication
• misconceptions about BSL (such as subtitling not being an adequate alternative)
• what effective communication looks like for a BSL user

They will also give staff an opportunity to learn some basic signs.

Internal communication

BSL interpretation services: Establish suppliers who can provide BSL interpretation services for DBT communication and marketing activity. Ensure our teams understand the process for accessing these services. 

External communication and marketing

BSL in marketing materials: Include BSL interpretation for social media livestreams at major events such as the International Investment Summit. Include BSL interpretation for social media National Living Wage Minimum Wage campaign. Continue to include subtitling as part of our wider inclusive communications.

BSL website content: With the transition from great.gov.uk to business.gov.uk, we will consider BSL content opportunities as we build out the new website.

Policy integration

DBT communication and marketing strategy: Include the implementation of BSL into the DBT communication and marketing strategy where appropriate to formalise the use of BSL and ensure it is not an afterthought.

Year 2: Implementation and engagement

Objective: Roll out BSL initiatives and actively engage staff in BSL activities.

Staff awareness and education

Deaf awareness sessions: Continue to bring in guest speakers who can talk about BSL best practice to communication and marketing staff.

Accessibility Champions: Recruit accessibility champions in each area of communication and marketing. This group will provide accessibility inspiration, including BSL, to ensure that inclusive communication is not an afterthought for DBT. 

Internal communication

BSL resources: Review BSL resources and ensure they are up to date.  

BSL interpretation services: Review how these services have been used and establish if alternatives or further communication is required to encourage the use of BSL communication. Review annual spend and establish a formal rate card for the service to ensure cost efficiency.

Sign Language Week: Sign Language Week happens each year in March. We will use this week to remind and re-establish the BSL resources and commitments made by the department and celebrate and raise awareness of BSL culture.

External communication and marketing

BSL review: Review the past year’s BSL activity. Analyse what worked and what did not work. Engage with BSL Cabinet Office and BSL champions and organisations to feedback on past communications.

BSL in marketing materials: Continue to include BSL translations in important marketing materials. Look for ways to start bringing BSL into more areas of communication, not just major announcements.

BSL website content: Develop a dedicated section on the Business Growth Service website with information available in BSL. This should include information about the department’s services, how to access support, and contact details.

Technology: Explore technology options to enhance the development of BSL interpretation communications and marketing materials. 

Policy integration

Objectives: Include inclusive communications delivery as an objective of which BSL will be one element for all communication and marketing staff. This helps awareness, innovation and creates action to create accessible and inclusive materials.

Year 3: Expansion and integration

Objective: Further integrate BSL into aspects of the department’s communication and marketing activity.

Staff awareness and education

Showcase: Highlight what has been accomplished to date with BSL communications and marketing, including any lessons learned from previous years. 

Deaf awareness sessions: Continue to bring in guest speakers who can talk about BSL to comms and marketing staff. This should also account for any new members of staff and extend these sessions to the wider department.

Policy integration

BSL Data Collection: Improve the quality of data collection and analysis related to BSL communication and marketing. Use this data to inform and improve services.

Year 4: Evaluation and improvement

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of BSL initiatives and make necessary improvements.

Program evaluation

Feedback mechanisms: Implement feedback mechanisms to regularly assess the effectiveness of BSL initiatives. This could include surveys, focus groups, and direct feedback from BSL users.

Annual review: Conduct an annual review of the department’s BSL initiatives and make necessary adjustments based on feedback and data analysis.

Continuous improvement

Best practices: Learn from best practices in other organisations and continuously improve the department’s BSL initiatives. Participate in networks and forums related to BSL and accessibility.

Innovation in accessibility: Explore innovative solutions to improve accessibility for BSL users, such as digital tools and platforms that support BSL communication.

Year 5: Sustainability and leadership

Objective: Ensure the sustainability of BSL initiatives and position the department as a leader in BSL accessibility and accessible comms.

Sustainable practices

Long-term funding: Work closely with Cabinet Office to support the business case for long-term centrally funded for BSL initiatives.

Leadership and advocacy

Advocacy for BSL:  Share the department’s successes and lessons learned to inspire other government departments and organisations.