On the 10th of February, Communities Minister Lyons moved the first stage introduction of the Sign Language Bill at the Assembly.
The Bill seeks to recognise and promote both British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL), placing duties on prescribed organisations to ensure their services and information are accessible to the deaf community.
Although BSL and ISL were formally recognised in Northern Ireland in 2004, there is still no legislative framework to support these languages, leaving them without legal protection. Unlike England, Scotland, and Wales—where BSL was legally recognised under the BSL Act of 2022—Northern Ireland remains excluded from this recognition. As a result, the absence of a Sign Language Bill in Northern Ireland contributes to ongoing social exclusion for BSL and ISL users, significantly impacting their access to education, employment, and healthcare.
The introduction of the Bill will see a step towards equal accessibility for BSL and ISL users in Northern Ireland through ensuring these languages are preserved and fostered correctly. By requiring organisations to make reasonable adjustments to their services and the information they provide, the Bill actively promotes inclusivity. Overall, the framework which is being proposed by Northern Ireland paves the way for greater accessibility, equality and recognition of sign languages in Northern Ireland.
Next Tuesday at 2:30pm (18th February), the Minister is scheduled to seek Second Stage agreement of the Bill and if agreed will lead to a referral to the Communities Committee for detailed scrutiny and consultation.
Here at Signature, we recognise the importance of the passing of the Sign Language Bill in Northern Ireland, as it represents a crucial step toward greater inclusion and accessibility for the deaf community. Signature have spent more than 40 years promoting high-quality BSL and ISL education and therefore supporting this Bill and what it stands for is something we are deeply committed to.