The Scottish Parliament general election will take place on Thursday 5 May 2011.
Signature has met with several candidates to find out what they will do for deaf people in Scotland, if they are elected.
All of the candidates have signed one of our pledge cards, which read “I will support fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland”.
For some, this will mean interpreters, for others it may be that they require communication in English.
Below is a brief outline of each candidate’s plans for deaf people in Scotland:
Nicola Sturgeon, SNP candidate for Glasgow Southside
Nicola Sturgeon is also the incumbent deputy first minister and health secretary. She has made the Signature pledge, and if elected, she will support our campaign for fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland. Nicola is pictured with the pledge card whilst taking a short break from campaigning.
Hugh O’Donnell, Independent candidate for the Central Scotland
Hugh served as a Liberal Democrat MSP in the last parliament and was delighted to make the Signature pledge. If elected, we will work with Hugh to make public services accessible for all deaf people in Scotland.
Dave Thompson, SNP candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Dave is keen to make the Signature pledge a reality for all deaf people in Scotland. If he is elected, Dave will work to make sure someone’s deafness is not a barrier to accessing the services one may need.
Linda Stewart, Labour candidate for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Linda was happy to make the pledge to ensure that Scotland’s deaf people can access the public services they need, when they need them. If Linda is elected, Signature will work with her to make this happen.
Richard Leonard, Scottish Labour candidate for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Richard pledges to support fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland.
Signature Scotland will work with Richard, and other MSPs to make this a reality.
Miles Briggs, Conservative candidate for North East Fife
Signature Scotland welcomes the pledge by Miles Briggs to support fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland.
Miles is also standing for the list vote.
If he is elected, we will work with him to make this pledge a reality.
Charlie Gordon, Labour candidate for Glasgow Cathcart
Signature Scotland is delighted to gain the support of Charlie Gordon for our campaign to make sure all deaf people in Scotland can access the public services they need, when they need them.
If Charlie is elected, we will work with him to make sure deaf people in Scotland can use the services many people take for granted.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Liberal Democrat candidate for Edinburgh Central
Alex Cole-Hamilton makes the Signature pledge; to make sure that all deaf people in Scotland are able to access the public services they need, when they need them, in their own language, whether this is English or BSL.
Humza Yousaf, SNP candidate for Glasgow
Humza Yousaf is keen to campaign on deaf issues and so took the Signature pledge. Humza will support fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland. If Humza is elected, we will look forward to working with him to make this a reality.
Stewart Maxwell, SNP candidate for Eastwood
Stewart Maxwell is SNP candidate for Eastwood. He has taken the Signature pledge and if elected, he will work to make public services fully accessible for all deaf people in Scotland.
Linda Fabiani, SNP candidate for East Kilbride
Linda Fabiani was delighted to make the Signature pledge. If she is elected in May, she will support fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland.
Stuart Clark, Labour candidate for Renfrewshire North and West
Stuart Clark backs Signature’s campaign to make public services accessible for all deaf people in Scotland. Stuart is pictured with the Signature pledge card while on the campaign trail.
Jamie Hepburn, SNP candidate for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
Jamie Hepburn has pledged to support fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland if he is successfully elected at the Scottish Parliament election on 5th May. If so, Signature looks forward to working with Jamie.
The following press release was also issued by Mr Hepburn:
SNP candidate for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Jamie Hepburn has added his backing to a campaign being run by Signature, an organisation which promotes excellence in communication for deaf and deafblind people. Mr Hepburn has pledged to support fully accessible public services for all deaf people in Scotland if he is successfully elected at the Scottish Parliament election on 5th May.
Commenting, Mr Hepburn said:
“It is right that all those who are deaf or deafblind in Scotland should have full access to services that others take for granted.
That is why I am delighted to add my backing to the excellent campaign being run by Signature.
“If I am elected at the coming Scottish Parliament election I will do all I can to ensure that the reasonable demands of Signature are made reality.”