I am backing a vital Bill through Parliament which will see British Sign Language become a recognised language.
The British Sign Language Bill is Private Member’s Bill introduced by Labour MP, Rosie Cooper.
The Bill signals promotion and facilitation of BSL when making public service announcements, encouraging other service providers to do the same.
BSL offers a lifeline to 250,000 Brits who communicate through the visual medium, which consists of a combination of hand gestures, facial expressions and body language.
If passed, it would also see the launch of an advisory board of BSL users to:
• offer guidance to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on how and when to use it
• examine how the DWP goes about increasing the number of BSL interpreters
• make sure the Access to Work scheme better meets the needs of BSL users to support them in employment
Effective communication is vital to creating a more inclusive and accessible society across Tynedale and Ponteland and in the UK.
Legally recognising British Sign Language in Great Britain is a significant step towards ensuring that deaf people are not excluded from reaching their potential.