Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland)
 | |
| Long title | A Bill to make provision about the status of, and for the advancement of, British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. |
|---|---|
| Introduced by | Gordon Lyons MLA, Minister for Communities |
Status: Pending | |
The Sign Language Bill is a proposed law of Northern Ireland in the Northern Ireland Assembly, relating to the promotion and recognition of British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language.
Background
[edit]On 1 December 2015, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín announced plans to establish a framework to promote sign language.[1] In March 2016, the Department for Communities consulted on "Sign Language Framework".[2] This framework contained policy proposals for legislation.[2] The 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement included a committemnt to the introduction of legislation relating to sign language.[3]
The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015, Irish Sign Language Act 2017, British Sign Language Act 2022 were passed.[4] In January 2025, a member of the Senedd launched a consultation on a Senedd bill which would promote British Sign Language.[5]
Provisions
[edit]The act requires that public bodies take reasonable steps to ensure that information and services are provided in a way that is fully accessible to individuals in the deaf community.[6]
Legislative passage
[edit]In February 2025, the bill was introduced to the Assembly.[7]
Gordon Lyons communicated in sign language during the first part of his speech.[6]
Other developments
[edit]During the passage of the legislation, the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced a service to provide access to interpreters.[8]
See also
[edit]- Legal recognition of sign languages
- Irish Sign Language Act 2017
- British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015
- British Sign Language Act 2022
References
[edit]- ^ Sheeran, Robin; Ainley, Robert (1 December 2015). "Stormont as it happened: 1 December 2015". BBC News. p. 3. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Sign Language Legislation | Department for Communities". Department for Communities. 17 April 2025. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ McCormack, Jayne (16 March 2022). "Stormont 'doing a disservice to deaf community in Northern Ireland'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "Sign language legislation" (PDF). Northern Ireland Assembly. 3 September 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 November 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ Davies, Meg (23 January 2025). "MS asks deaf communities for views on proposed Welsh BSL bill". Nation.Cymru. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ a b Black, Rebecca (18 February 2025). "'Historic day' for deaf community as Sign Language Bill moves step closer to law". Independent. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "Milestone for Northern Ireland's landmark sign language bill". Irish Legal News. 19 February 2025. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "PSNI service will 'increase independence' for deaf community". BBC News. 18 March 2025. Archived from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.