Question reference: S6O-00454
- Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 17 November 2021
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Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 25 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what advances it has made in relation to its British Sign Language National Plan 2017-2023.
Answer
The Scottish Government published the British Sign Language (BSL) Progress Report on 27th October 2021, which outlines progress being made towards implementing the BSL National Plan. It outlines progress on a range of fronts, including education, BSL/English interpreting, and public life. The report outlines how Scottish Government has funded BSL Partnership organisations to engage and support public bodies with their BSL plans, and notes important developments such as the decision that Scotland’s next census, in 2022, will ask 'can you use BSL?' for the first time.
Significant progress has been made towards making our country more inclusive and supportive of BSL users. The language enjoys a higher profile than ever before in public life, and is ever more visible in media and communications. For example, during the COVID-19 crisis, BSL/English interpreters were present at the daily Scottish Government Coronavirus briefings. This work was recognised by the British Deaf Association and the European Union of the Deaf.