On Monday 27th April 2026, The British Sign Language (Wales) Act 2026 received Royal Assent, signed by His Majesty the King and sealed by Rt Hon Eluned Morgan MS, The First Minister in her role as Keeper of the Welsh Seal.
The BSL Wales Consortium is delighted to learn that the British Sign Language (Wales) Act 2026 has received Royal Assent. We as a Consortium hope to see an early implementation of this important piece of legislation after the Senedd elections and look forward to working with the new Welsh Government towards its implementation.
The Consortium added:
“For too long, BSL signers have had to navigate inaccessible public services every day; they have had their language needs denied across healthcare, education, transport, and more. The Act is a critical step in the right direction to address this. The experience and expectations of Deaf BSL signers can be central to how we improve public services across Wales. We want to have a real say over the decisions that affect our lives.”
The Consortium consists of Alison Bryan (Co-Chair), Dr Rob Wilks (Co-Chair), ABSLTA (Association of BSL Teachers and Assessors), Action Deafness Cymru, ASLI, British Deaf Association Cymru, COS (The Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound), National Deaf Children’s Society Cymru, NRCPD, RNID, Signature, Talking Hands Deaf Children and Young people and VLP.
Mae Consortiwm Iaith Arwyddion Prydain Cymru wrth ei fodd o glywed bod Deddf Iaith Arwyddion Prydain (Cymru) 2026 wedi derbyn Cydsyniad Brenhinol. Rydym fel Consortiwm yn gobeithio gweld y darn pwysig hwn o ddeddfwriaeth yn cael ei weithredu’n gynnar ar ôl etholiadau’r Senedd ac yn edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda Llywodraeth newydd Cymru tuag at ei weithredu.
Ychwanegodd y Consortiwm:
“Am gyfnod rhy hir, mae arwyddwyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain wedi gorfod llywio gwasanaethau cyhoeddus anhygyrch bob dydd; mae eu hanghenion iaith wedi cael eu gwrthod ar draws gofal iechyd, addysg, trafnidiaeth, a mwy. Mae’r Ddeddf yn gam hollbwysig i’r cyfeiriad cywir i fynd i’r afael â hyn. Gall profiad a disgwyliadau arwyddwyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain Byddar fod yn ganolog i sut rydym yn gwella gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ledled Cymru. Rydym am gael dweud ein dweud go iawn dros y penderfyniadau sy’n effeithio ar ein bywydau.”
Mae’r Consortiwm yn cynnwys Alison Bryan (Cyd-gadeirydd), Dr Rob Wilks (Cyd-gadeirydd), ABSLTA (Cymdeithas Athrawon ac Aseswyr Iaith Arwyddion Prydain), Action Deafness Cymru, ASLI, Cymdeithas y Byddar Prydain Cymru, COS (Y Ganolfan Arwyddo-Golwg-Sain), Cymdeithas Genedlaethol Plant Byddar Cymru, NRCPD, RNID, Signature, Talking Hands Deaf Children and Young people a VLP.