Committee to explore the Scottish Government and public bodies' support for British Sign Language

The British Sign Language Act aims to promote the use of BSL. It includes a requirement for the Scottish Government to create a national BSL plan and for some public bodies to prepare and publish their own BSL plans. Since the Act was passed the Scottish Government has produced two plans, the most recent being published in 2023.

The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee is keen to find out whether the Act, the Government’s current BSL Plan and plans from public bodies are improving the lives of BSL users. It also wants to understand what changes could be made in the shorter and longer term to support BSL users.

To inform its inquiry, the Committee has opened a consultation to gather views. It is particularly interested in gathering views from BSL users and advocates, as well as the Government and public bodies who are responsible for producing the plans.

Public bodies that must produce and implement their own BSL plans for promoting and facilitating the use and understanding of BSL include local councils, NHS boards, colleges and universities, and the Scottish Parliament.

The Committee’s consultation will be open until Friday 2 May 2025 and the Committee welcomes responses in British Sign Language.

Karen Adam, Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee said:

“British Sign Language is a lifeline for Scotland’s community of people who are deaf or having hearing loss. The British Sign Language Act will soon be 10 years old, and we want to understand whether it has had its intended impact.

“If you are a user of BSL we would like to hear your views on how things have changed since the Act was passed – and in particular, whether the BSL plans published by the Scottish Government and public bodies have helped.

“Please share your views with us by responding to our consultation. We’re especially keen to hear from users of British Sign Language and will accept video submissions.”