Transparency data

BSL Advisory Board meeting summary: 9 May 2023 (including BSL version)

Updated 29 April 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-sign-language-bsl-advisory-board-meeting-summaries/bsl-advisory-board-meeting-summary-9-may-2023-including-bsl-version

BSL version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJgAt6Vmgvg

The first meeting of the British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory board  was held on 9 May 2023.

In attendance

  • Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work
  • Craig Crowley MBE FRSA, Co-Chair of BSL Advisory Board
  • Alex Gowlland, Deputy Director of Disability Unit, Cabinet Office, and Co-Chair of BSL Advisory Board
  • Martin Thacker
  • Sam Stocken
  • Kate Reed
  • Asif Iqbal MBE
  • Richard MacQueen
  • Scott Garthwaite
  • Richard Platt
  • Jo Atkinson
  • Mangayarkkarasy Sutharsan
  • Zoe Fudge-Ajadi
  • Vicki Ashmore
  • Brian Kokoruwe
  • Ahmed Mudawi
  • Gaye Hampton
  • Erin McCluskey
  • Teri Devine

Apologies

  • Sylvia Simmonds

Summary of discussions

1. Welcome from the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work

The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work opened the meeting by welcoming the group and thanking them for their enthusiasm and commitment. He said that this is the start of the journey to ensure that government communications are more accessible and inclusive, and he looks forward to working with the group on this important agenda.

2. Role and remit of the board

The meeting discussed the role and remit of the board:

  • to advise the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on writing guidance on BSL usage as specified in Part 3 of the BSL Act
  • to advise the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on other issues which are important to the Deaf community

3. Establishment of sub-groups

After discussion of key issues for BSL users, the board decided to set up 3 sub-groups:

  • working on the government implementation, guidance and advice
  • best practice for the government to share information in its media
  • availability of interpreters

4. Other issues discussed

Issues discussed included the following.

(a) How to create a dual language board bringing BSL and spoken English together, to make sure information is accessible to all d/Deaf users and to hearing people who use spoken English

(b) Who is covered by the act:

  • deaf people
  • deafblind people
  • hearing sign language users (including, but not limited to, Children of Deaf Adults, family members of deaf children; interpreters)
  • people who can hear but have auditory processing disorders or speech disorders who use British sign language because they cannot process sound and/or speak
  • deaf people use BSL signs but not fluently because they have not been brought up within the sign language community

(c) How the board should work with the government to ensure the dissemination of information and guidance.

(d) Wider issues affecting BSL such as availability and qualifications of interpreters and the development of the BSL GCSE.

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