ALLIANCE responds to inquiry into British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015
- Area of Work: Policy and Research, Scottish Sensory Hub
- Type: News Item
- Published: 2nd May 2025
The ALLIANCE has published a response to the Equality, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s inquiry into the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Equality, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee’s inquiry into the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015.
The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 was flagship legislation – the first of its kind in the UK. The ALLIANCE believes that the Act, and the associated BSL national and local plans, have been key to promoting and facilitating the use and understanding of BSL across Scotland. However, there remain significant gaps with its implementation. The local BSL plans from listed authorities have been mixed in their effectiveness, in terms of improving outcomes for BSL users. The ALLIANCE analysed the second round of local BSL plans from all listed authorities and public bodies. More than three months after the legal deadline, 72% of listed authorities had published plans in English – and only 62% had published in BSL. That only 62% were compliant with the Act is concerning – and raises concerns about the effectiveness of BSL plans from listed authorities, and the corresponding work to improve outcomes for BSL users.
Overall, while the Act has demonstrably had a positive impact on the lives of BSL users in Scotland, more work remains to be done to ensure that Deaf and Deafblind people are treated equitably and can fully participate in civic life.
Our full response is available below.
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