The Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) and the Legal Services Commission (LSC) are proud to announce the launch of a pilot specialist casework service in British Sign Language (BSL) via the Internet to eligible clients. RAD Legal Services has been working in partnership with the LSC and online interpreting service provider Significan’t Ltd to develop the service, which will go live on 22 September 2008.

Deaf BSL users living in England and Wales with a low income or receiving benefits will be able to obtain free and confidential legal advice through a webcam with a broadband connection. Caseworkers are fluent in BSL, and will provide specialist advice at Community Legal Service Specialist Quality Mark level.

Advice topics will be phased in stages, starting with Welfare Benefits from September 2008. Employment will follow from November 2008, Housing from January 2009 and Debt from March 2009.

William Hayden, Development Manager, Direct Services, at the LSC, said, “The Community Legal Advice (CLA) helpline is currently inaccessible to Deaf BSL users and therefore the CLA is not meeting its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. They are acutely aware that they have a gap in their services. Nevertheless, with the development of new types of technology such as video communications and the Internet, there are now fresh opportunities to dramatically improve access to the CLA for Deaf people.”

Jeff McWhinney, Chief Executive of Significan’t, said, “RAD is the first organisation in the UK to utilise TokBox technology – developed and used in the United States – to deliver legal advice online. Significan’t are proud to work with the RAD to turn this technology into a reality and benefit Deaf people seeking legal advice and support in the UK.”

Tom Fenton, Chief Executive of RAD said “This is a unique opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness specialist advice in BSL via the Internet. It will provide evidence of the need for access to legal services for Deaf people.”

For further information visit www.radlegalservices.org.uk.

Media enquiries – contact:

Lorna Bareham
Marketing & PR Administrator
Royal Association for Deaf people
18 Westside Centre
London Road
Stanway, Colchester
CO3 8PH
Email: lorna.bareham@royaldeaf.org.uk

• Ensuring that service providers provide access to BSL users;
• Bringing BSL back into education as the predominant way to educate Deaf kids;
• Re-training audiologists to stop negative attitudes and forcing parents to conform to oralist methods;
• Improving Deaf and BSL awareness among the general populace; and
• Increasing the number of BSL users in the UK.

So, what do we need to do to get a BSL Act enacted?

1. Draft a BSL Bill, enter into a consultative process;
2. Decide whether to introduce it to Parliament via:
• A Private Members’ Bill by way of a Member of Parliament championing our cause; or
• A Public Bill (go here for more information on Public Bills).
3. The following stages then take place in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords:
• First reading (formal introduction of the Bill without debate);
• Second reading (general debate);
• Committee stage (detailed examination, debate and amendments. In the House of Commons this stage takes place in a Public Bill Committee;
• Report stage (opportunity for further amendments); and
• Third reading (final chance for debate and amendments are possible in the Lords).
4. When a Bill has passed through both Houses it is returned to the first House (where it started) for the second House’s amendments to be considered.
5. Both Houses must agree on the final text. There may be several rounds of exchanges between the two Houses until agreement is reached on every word of the Bill. Once this happens the Bill proceeds to the next stage: Royal Assent.
• Royal Assent (granted by the monarch); and
• Act of Parliament (the proposals of the Bill have now become law).
6. Commencement of the BSL Act, and equality for the Deaf community at last?

Any volunteers to kick off the process and draft a BSL Bill?

While I just about managed to cope with oralism, and get a good education using oral methods, it was always a struggle. I guess I sort of became acclimatised to it, because I don’t remember school being exceptionally difficult even though I didn’t have any communication support. It must have been difficult, but as highlighted on Grumpy Old Deafies, there’s an useful analogy whereby “if you’re given or created a certain character at the start of the video game, you go with it. Deaf included”. Not knowing anything different, you just get on with it, don’t you?

It wasn’t until I joined RAD that I started to become accepting of my Deaf identity, as I was exposed to BSL on a daily basis, and learnt to love and use the language. While insistent on using Typetalk and lipspeakers, I was eventually weaned off these methods of communication and instead prefer to use BSL to English Interpreters. When you have a shit-hot interpreter either translating English into BSL or vice versa, it’s so effortless for the Deaf person to take in and comprehend the information. Believe me, I know, because I used lipspeakers during the PG Diploma in Law and Legal Practice, and it was hard work – you’d sit there lipreading (70% guesswork) and trying to understand what’s being said around you, which doesn’t leave you enough time to actually digest the information.

Also, it’s so much more fun hanging out with Deaf people than hearing people! You never that old issue cropping up: communication, hearing vs. Deaf etc.

I digress. My family were rather taken aback by my outburst, as they hadn’t realised just how strongly I felt about BSL, and when I asked them all, “why don’t you learn BSL?”, they were all, “Ohh, no time; what’s the point, would never get to practise enough etc.”

Nonetheless, my parents, sister and Sam have now all booked a place to do “Introduction to BSL” at St Julian’s Community College, Newport from September. Hopefully, they will then go on to do Level 1 and Level 2. I’ll be practising with them, don’t you worry!

Man: Can you speak?
Me (speaking): Yes I can.
Man: Did you not think that it would be better to speak rather than use BSL (although your interpreter was excellent)?
Me: Well, I do have a right to decide which method of communication I want to use when presenting.
Man: Yes, don’t you think by speaking your presentation would have been more accessible?
Me: Possibly, but I do prefer to present in BSL. Also, my speech isn’t perfect.
Man: I think your speech is very good.
Me: Ok, but I do find it more natural to present in BSL than to speak, particularly as if I’m nervous, my speech patterns aren’t as clear. Besides, what if I couldn’t speak at all?
Man: Well, obviously you wouldn’t be able to speak then.

Discuss.

If you’re interested, go here.

I am a Participant, because I am passionate about BSL and this research will help the Deaf community to press the Government for official recognition as a whole.

A Sign Language petition was set up on the Number 10 Petitions website, recently set up to encourage e-petitions to the Prime Minster’s Office. The petition was as follows:

“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Introduce the teaching of British Sign Language in all UK schools.”

Details of petition:

“I can think of fewer more useful skills to teach someone than a new way of communicating, unhindered by ambient noise. Think trying to order drinks in a noisy bar, trying to hold a conversation on a train station platform with a freight train rumbling through. Of course it would also make life easier for people who rely on sign language as their primary mode of non-written communication.”

It closed on 21 February 2007, with 5,011 one signatures, enough to garner a response from the Prime Minster’s Office, as follows:

We recognise the tremendous value of British Sign Language (BSL) in helping hard of hearing pupils throughout their educational careers.

The National Curriculum, however, has been developed carefully over the years to provide young people with an entitlement to the essential knowledge and skills that will equip them for success in further education or training and in the world of work. It is important that the National Curriculum should offer a broad and balanced education, but we must avoid over-prescription of what is taught and leave sufficient time and space for schools to personalise their offer to address individual needs and aptitudes. The balance we now have is the result of extensive consultation and trialling but it is not fixed for all time and we will continue to monitor and review curriculum content at intervals to ensure that it still meets the needs of all young people.

The secondary National Curriculum is currently being reviewed in order to reduce prescription still further and to create more freedom for teachers to use their professional judgement in designing subject curricula. Across the whole of our 14-19 reform agenda we are developing further opportunities for young people to exercise choice about what they study and how, with the introduction of diplomas, apprenticeships and so on. In this context, we do not feel it would be appropriate to introduce a new statutory requirement to teach British Sign Language in all schools.

It is also worth noting that the National Curriculum does not represent all the teaching that goes on in schools. Teachers are free to introduce other experiences and subjects if they wish to do so, as long as they are also meeting the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum. The SEN and Disability Act, which was introduced in September 2002, means that more disabled children are now learning in mainstream schools, where that is what their parents want. This means that schools are developing a greater understanding of the needs of disabled people and in some schools this may well lead to teachers deciding to offer sign language to help ensure a child with a hearing impairment is fully included in school life.

In conclusion therefore, it is right that schools should have the opportunity to teach BSL but we would not wish to specify that it must be taught to all pupils. We believe rather that this should remain a matter for schools to decide in view of their own local, and possibly more pressing, needs.

In relation to this response, I have a number of points to make.

1. The PM’s Office has completely missed the point. This is evident in the way they seem to think that BSL benefits hard of hearing (sic) pupils in education. Erm, hard of hearing children don’t use BSL because, well, they can still hear, somewhat.
2. The response focuses on deaf kids in schools and their use of BSL. Not kids generally. This isn’t what the petition was asking for.
3. They referred to “hearing impairment”. Nuff said.
4. Schools are developing a greater understanding of the needs of disabled people. Are they really? Shall we ask the disabled/deaf pupils? Where’s their views?
5. It’s up to the schools to decide whether to introduce teaching for BSL. How?

In summary, kids these days are being so taught so many things, that there simply isn’t enough room to include BSL on the National Curriculum. This is just another typical wishy-washy statement form the Government, that doesn’t even attempt to address the issues here.

Bring on the BSL Act. We’ll see what the PM’s Office says about it then.

Summary: Response to J’s vlog on Grumpy Old Deafies about BSL Day and the lack of activities. What has happened since BSL recognition on 18 March 2003? Is there any point advertising the fact to the Deaf community? We need a BSL Act.

This is the press release:

Up to £2.7m is being made available for a scheme to increase the number of British Sign Language interpreters in Wales, which is a huge step in giving those who use the language better access to services across the country, Equalities Minister Jane Hutt announced today [Monday, 6 February].

This is the first scheme of this size in the UK and will benefit the 3,000 people in Wales who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first or preferred language.

Professional interpreters allow Deaf sign language users quicker and better access to services such as the NHS, the police and local authorities. Having to read, write or lipread a second spoken language, such as Welsh or English, in which they may have limited literacy, often leaves sign language users with poor access to information.

Making the announcement at Legal and General, Cardiff, who employ BSL users, Jane Hutt said: “Today’s announcement is a major step forward in promoting social inclusion. The problems people can face if there aren’t interpreters available cannot be underestimated. There are recorded cases where sign language users have faced severe difficulties in reporting crimes; and have had to communicate with health staff in inappropriate and undignified situations.

“Often a sign language user has to wait up to eight weeks to secure an interpreter to see their GP, or discuss their child’s education with a teacher or question a neighbour’s planning application. This cannot be right.

“That’s why we want to invest to increase the number of interpreters and are funding the scheme, BSL Futures. The funding will provide 36 posts for Apprentice Interpreters to train and get their qualifications. It will support a further nine trainee interpreters with grants to access courses. This is the first scheme of its size in the UK.

“Social inclusion and accessible services for sign language users are enormously important equality issues. This initiative will make a real difference. It’s an example of just one of the innovative ways in which the Assembly Government is tackling social inequality in Wales.”

BSL Futures is funded by £1.6m from the European Union’s Objective One programme and £1.1m match funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.  The partnership led by RNID Cymru, Deaf Association Wales and the Association of Sign Language Interpreters is already in the process of recruiting its first 10 apprentice interpreters.

The scheme will provide each apprentice interpreter with a bursary and an individually tailored, fully-supported training programme that will result in their registration as a freelance professional interpreter.

It will also:

• Train more BSL tutors to teach the language at the highest levels;
• Support colleges across Wales to develop their BSL course provision;
• Develop a postgraduate course in BSL/Spoken Language interpreting;
• Support public service providers in Wales to develop the capacity to
  deliver services in BSL.

Catrin Fletcher, Director of RNID Cymru, which represents deaf and hard of hearing people in Wales, says: “This announcement is wonderful news for sign language users in Wales. The scheme will make social inclusion a reality for sign language users by dramatically increasing the number of BSL interpreters.

“This is a really good illustration of the difference that can be made by government and the voluntary sector working together. RNID Cymru welcomes the Minister’s announcement of Welsh Assembly Government support for BSL Futures. We wholeheartedly support the scheme.”

Julie Watkins chair of the South Wales Region of the Association of Sign Language interpreters said: “We see first hand the detrimental effect that the lack of interpreters has on the sign language community. This scheme will make accessible information and participation a reality.

“It’s also a wonderful opportunity to develop the profession to ensure that sign language users have full access to services and can play a full role as equal citizens of Wales. We applaud the Assembly Government for backing recognition of BSL with funding for this innovative scheme.”

Adrian Clark, Location Director, Legal and General, Cardiff said: “We currently employ six full-time profoundly deaf staff across our business here in Cardiff. We are extremely pleased with their work and their commitment, they are a delight to have in the company. However, the distinct needs of our deaf staff mean communication is critical and we are continually frustrated by the inability to find qualified interpreters, especially at short notice, to allow them to function normally within the workplace. This announcement by the Welsh Assembly Government is very good news and cannot come soon enough.”

6 February, 2006

Note

A Cabinet Task and Finish Group, established in June 2004 and chaired by Karen Sinclair AM, investigated BSL interpreter services in Wales.  It found that that the number of appropriately qualified BSL/Spoken language interpreters in Wales was poor. The Group recommended that the Assembly Government take action to increase from 12 to 64 the number of BSL to Spoken language interpreters available in Wales.

Organisations which were members of the project partnership board that set up the scheme are: Welsh Local Government Association, Llandrillo College, Deaf Association Wales, Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People, Association of Sign Language Interpreters, ELWa, WEFO, Wales Council for Deaf People, RNID Cymru.

Legal and General currently employs six full-time profoundly deaf staff in its operation in Cardiff and is working towards achieving the RNID ‘Louder than Words’ kite mark. For more information contact Jackie Quantock, Business Communications Manager, Legal and General, 029 20 354899.

While I applaud this development, I do have a few comments to make.

It appears that the RNId received most of the £2.7million. Why? Why do Governments and public bodies always think that the RNId is the definitive charity in the UK for Deaf BSL users? Is it simply because they’re the charity with the most exposure? I wish they would bugger off and stop taking over things that they don’t even want i.e. supporting the development of BSL, when they never supported the campaign to make it a recognised language.

It appears that the Welsh Assembly did not consult with the Welsh Deaf community about how the money should be spent. Once again, hearing people have decided what they think is ‘best’ for Deaf people. Bugger off, the lot of you! Unless you know what you’re talking about, leave well alone!

In putting forward funds to train BSL/English Interpreters in Wales by the RNId, the Welsh Assembly may have shot itself in the foot. A great number of Deaf BSL users in Wales – including me – are unlikely to use RNId BSL/English Interpreters, preferring to source their communication support from elsewhere. This is hardly the benefit to the Welsh Deaf community the Assembly was hoping to achieve, is it?

Still, I suppose it’s better than nothing, and £2.7million is a damn sight more than the measly £1.5million provided by the DWP when BSL was formally recognised in March 2003.

By the way, I was offered a job at Legal & General around the time I was offered a job at RAD.  The RNId Employment Service tend to send all their Deaf clients to Legal & General rather than helping them find the job of their dreams.  I went for some employment advice after I finished my LPC, asking for some help getting into the legal profession, and they got me a job with Legal & General.  That was good of them (!).

This led me to think: with the rise in the number of Deaf professionals now entering a specialist profession, should we be worried that there are insufficient BSL/English Interpreters with the adequate knowledge and training in order to reflect the professionalism and expertise of the Deaf person they are working for?

It is a concern I have. Because I am a good lip-reader, I sometimes understand what my terps say when they’re voicing me over. A few times now I’ve had concerns about whether they are translating things accurately.

Another problem I have is the fact that because sometimes I know exactly what word I want them to use, it can be difficult to incorporate that into my BSL, so I end up mouthing or even whispering the word.

The worry I have is that BSL/English Interpreters are not reflecting the professionalism of Deaf professionals well enough, which in turn makes colleagues, interviewers etc. uncertain as to whether we are up to the job. Is this another form of discrimination? Is this another reason to support the argument that indirect discrimination should be introduced under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995?

Summary: I discuss Jesse’s vlog in BSL, which I applaud, and encourage more individuals world-wide to post in BSL. I talk a bit about ASL and how I learnt the basics when a Malaysian penpal came to stay (you can tell I’m not a proficient ASL user!). I even hint that I may post a vlog in ASL one day, or try to.