BSL recognition

This week VEE-TV celebrates the second anniversary of the official recognition of BSL in the UK.

So what has changed? Well, the government has invested some much-needed money into training more deaf BSL tutors and BSL/English interpreters. But many believe that BSL needs to be given legal protection, guaranteeing that BSL users have equal access to information, services and opportunities, including education, health care and employment.

All the same, recognition of BSL has to be worth celebrating – and at the BSL recognition event in Preston, the University of Central Lancashire deafsociety got straight down to business by going on a pub crawl. On the way they planned to teach bar staff some basic but crucial BSL.

For the more sober, events at the uni included talks on BSL recognition and progress over the last couple of years, plus arts and music workshops and an evening show.

More info

BSL – The Road to Recognition
An introduction to the history of BSL recognition in video format.

BSL recognition
BDA factsheet on BSL recognition and what is needed now.

BSL Infoweb
Information about sign language, history, Deaf culture and contemporary deaf issues for sign-language users and students.

Deafsign
Includes an interactive discussion forum, a BSL sample section, a 'myth-buster' and resources for schools.

Sign Community
The new BDA website.

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