Transparency data

BSL Advisory Board meeting summary: 13 May 2026 (including BSL version)

Updated 9 June 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

British Sign Language (BSL) version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oOgtJWbOKQ

Attendees

BSL Advisory Board

• Dr Joanna Atkinson, co-chair of BSL Advisory Board
• Alex Gowlland, Deputy Director of Disability Unit (DU), Cabinet Office, co-chair
• Matthew Adedeji
• Damian Brewer
• Teri Devine
• Catherine Drew
• Helen Foulkes
• Laura Hawksworth
• Sabina Iqbal
• Hassan Moinuddin
• Ahmed Mudawi
• Jemina Napier
• Dai O’Brien
• Kate Reed 
• Christopher Reid

Apologies

• Marcella Dwek
• Abigail Gorman
• Sarah Reed
• Lucy Wox

Other government officials in attendance

• 6 civil servants from DU
• 2 civil servants from the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Accessibility, Disability and Disputes Team 
• 5 civil servants from the Home Office 

Welcome and introductions

The co-chairs, Dr Joanna Atkinson and Alexandra Gowlland, opened the third meeting of the new BSL Advisory Board. The meeting included sessions with Minister Stephen Timms MP, Home Office, DWP and DU. 

Dr Joanna Atkinson set out the board’s 6 core priorities for the next 3 years. These are:

• data
• early years education
• commissioning
• Video Relay Service (VRS)
• statutory guidance for interpreting 
• artificial intelligence (AI)

Dr Joanna Atkinson congratulated the board on a productive first 3 months, which included submitting responses to various open consultations, specifically:

• inputting into the Young People and Work Report: Call for Evidence (Milburn Review), Pathways to Work consultation and the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment
• contributing to the ONS Census 2031 consultation 
• advising the Department for Eduction (DfE) on SEND reform and education policy 
• engaging with OFCOM on Media Act implementation 
• inputting into Department for Transport (DfT) accessibility issues 

Data collection in government

An official from the Office for Equality and Opportunity’s (OEO) Equality Data and Analysis team presented on data collection in government. The complexities and opportunities to collect data on BSL use across government services were discussed. 

Board members raised questions on:

• the separate category that is needed in data collection to note a Deafblind individual
• the need to separate out disability and language use in data collection due to the spectrum of the Deaf community and their access needs

Registering births, marriages and deaths

A Home Office official gave a brief presentation on the guidance and access at Registry Offices. The board then shared emotional stories of their experiences of registering the birth of their children, wanting to be the witness at family weddings and trying to navigate the emotional process of registering a death. 

This was followed by a productive discussion where the board members provided recommendations and advice on how to make the service more accessible for Deaf and Deafblind users.

999 and 101 BSL services

Three officials from the Home Office presented to the board on the 999 BSL service and asked for feedback from the board on what they know about the 101 service and how they use it. 

Board members raised points around:

• the importance of VRS interpreters knowing regional names including Welsh town names
• what happens after the emergency services arrive

They also shared their positive experiences of 999 BSL being rolled out and the access that it provides to the Deaf community. 

Updates from working groups and sub-groups

Minister Timms heard updates from the board’s sub-groups and working groups.

Interpreting and translation working group

The working group’s members have had 2 meetings since February 2026 and have confirmed their top priorities for the next year. These include developing an understanding of the current interpreting and translation landscape in the UK. 

Health and social care sub-group

The sub-group have decided on a structure for how it will run for the next few years, including priorities. They appointed leads for data, the accessible information standard (AIS) and social care. The group have developed a work package and SMART activity plan for the next 3 years. 

Education sub-group

The group have:

• met with industry experts to collate a response to the SEND review
• taken part in the Deaf Academy’s Bicentennial celebrations in Exmouth
• set out their priorities for the next 3 years, which include a focus on teacher training and early years education

Employment sub-group

This sub-group has had a busy start, engaging with the numerous consultations and calls for evidence relating to PIP, Pathways to Work and Access to Work. The sub-group met the Chair of the Government’s Independent Disability Advisory Panel and discussed how to work together in the future.  

Technology working group

The group is preparing a response to the Growing up in the online world consultation and will be focussed on continuing engagement with Deaf AI experts. They discussed the UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Sciencewise programme research into AI and BSL, led by RNID, and will provide a full update on this at the next meeting. 

Minister Timms congratulated the board members for their hard work so far and reaffirmed his support for the board and the work they have set out for the next 3 years. 

DWP services and 5-year BSL plan

Two officials from DWP hosted a positive discussion with the board to understand where the barriers and opportunities are for improving access for Deaf BSL users across DWP’s services. 

The board then hosted a brief session looking at DWP’s BSL 5-year plan in detail, providing them with comprehensive feedback and recommendations on their plan. 

Any other business

The co-chairs thanked the board members for their contributions and concluded the meeting.