How much support is there for BSL users in Scotland, and what needs to change?  

ALLIANCE Scottish Sensory Hub Manager Dr Hannah Tweed reflects on the launch of the BSL network for public bodies.

In 2025, the ALLIANCE gave evidence as part of the Equality, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee inquiry into the impact of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015. In a Parliamentary debate on the inquiry in December, MSPs highlighted a wide range of inequalities face by Deaf and Deafblind BSL users and their families.  

Across the inquiry, two clear threads ran through discussions. Firstly, the significance of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, as ground-breaking, human rights-based legislation. Equally strong was the evidence that more must be done for BSL users to have equal access to their rights. Good work is being done across Scotland, in Deaf clubs, third sector organisations, university and colleges, Health Boards and local authorities. But service providers are struggling to keep up with demand amidst diminished resource and a decreasing workforce. Significant inequalities persist, across education, employment, health and social care, and justice – to name but a few.  

During the inquiry, the Scottish Government committed to further support in implementing local BSL plans, via a national BSL network for public bodies. The first meeting, facilitated by the ALLIANCE Scottish Sensory Hub, was attended by over 60 representatives from public bodies, with a range of constructive discussion and contributions. This included Health Boards, local authorities, colleges and universities, and other groups with a responsibility to provide public services to BSL users in Scotland.  

The launch of the BSL network marks a welcome step forward, creating new space for collaboration, partnership working, and better data sharing. Even at the first meeting, key topics emerged as priorities for 2026. Some of these lie firmly within the remit of local BSL plans, tailored to individual contexts – and representatives were already sharing useful resources and information with each other to aid in implementation and day to day work to support BSL users. At the same time, it became clear that local action alone will not be enough; national planning must sit alongside it, especially on workforce. If Scotland wants to deliver on its ambitions to enable BSL users to access their rights, attention must be given to supporting interpreters, Deaf translators, Communication Support Workers, and people who are able to teach BSL. Without that strategic investment and planning for future workforce provision, most Deaf people – and the organisations supporting them – will continue to struggle to access routine parts of daily life.  

Alongside these discussions, the ALLIANCE Scottish Sensory Hub is hearing growing concern from public bodies about the lack of clarity around the See Hear Strategy and future funding. Many are questioning whether this signals a deprioritisation of support for people who are Deaf, Deafblind, or who have Visual Impairments. The commitment to the BSL network is encouraging, and it sits alongside a great deal of positive work across the sensory sector — but momentum must be maintained if we are to see meaningful and lasting change. 

If you have any questions or are interested in discussing the work of the network, please get in touch with the ALLIANCE’s Scottish Sensory Hub team by emailing sensory@alliance-scotland.org.uk.  

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