Legislation For Deaf Scots

The lives of more than 3, 000 deaf children in Scotland could soon be transformed.

MSPs are expected to vote in favour of legislation tonight which will promote British Sign Language.

Hailed as 'ground-breaking' it will promote sign language and aim to embed the language more fully into Scottish society and culture, ensuring public authorities promote and raise its awareness.
 
The first such legislation of its kind, the British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill, has been welcomed by Heather Gray, director of the National Deaf Children’s Society for Scotland and Northern Ireland. She said:
 
“This marks an historic moment for over 3,500 deaf children, their families and the entire deaf community across Scotland, many of whom have British Sign Language as their first and preferred language.
 
“We hope that this ground-breaking legislation will become a foundation for the promotion of the language in Scotland long into the future.
 
“If fully implemented, we believe the Bill will ultimately help create more choices and opportunities for deaf children and young people and help them achieve their full potential.
 
“NDCS congratulates the Scottish Parliament for passing this bill. The challenge is now for Government to set out an ambitious National Plan that will drive progress for deaf children and their families like closing the education attainment gap and strengthening early years support.”