On the 24th of October, a Ministerial statement was announced at the Scottish Parliament by Mark McDonald MSP regarding an ambitious national plan for British Sign Language(BSL) users around Scotland. The plan is set to ensure Deaf and Deafblind BSL users are fully involved in all aspects of daily and public life.

The session, opened in BSL by Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Ken Macintosh, reviewed a range of key actions to be implemented by 2020.

What’s in the plan?

The BSL National Plan for BSL users is the first of its kind in the UK.

It has 70 actions ministers will take by 2020 to help deaf people in Scotland, including:

• Removing barriers that prevent deaf people from becoming teachers
• Developing Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) awards in BSL
• Allowing more pupils to learn BSL in school
• Guaranteeing government-funded employment schemes are accessible to deaf people
• Improving ways of giving information in BSL at train stations and airports
• Starting a steering group to help colleges and universities help deaf students

Its an exciting time for the future of BSL users. Well done to everyone involved.

Download the BSL National Plan here –  https://news.gov.scot/resources/british-sign-language-bsl-national-plan-2017-2023