Calls for sign language to be taught in Merseyside schools
It comes as MPs prepare to debate making British Sign Language an official language in the UK.
Last updated 28th Jan 2022
Deaf people in Liverpool are telling us how making British Sign Language part of the school curriculum could have a positive impact on EVERYONE'S daily life.
Later, MPs will hold a debate on making British Sign Language an official language in the UK.
The move is being welcomed by the deaf community, but it's also prompted calls to go a step further and get BSL on the national curriculum.
Speaking to us through an interpreter, Susie Williams from charity Deaf Active in Liverpool says Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has helped raise awareness, but there's still a long way to go:
"Not having to worry about going the doctors and if there's going to be an interpreter there or going to the cinema and for my daughter as well; when she's signing she's becoming nervous that people are looking at her.
"People are watching Strictly and they are like 'wow they're dancing and how because the person is deaf' but then six or seven weeks later that's fizzled out. That's our life and that's our language we need it to be recognised now."
Stephanie Bray also talked to us with the assistance of an interpreter :
"You often find that when you start speaking in sign language that people become nervous and communication often becomes harder.
"To be able to go to places and communicate with the general public, not so long ago Radio City gave us tickets and I was able to go to a concert for the first time, I'm 29, many people have been to a concert before then".
Lancs MP Rosie Cooper MP has introduced her Private Members Bill, the ‘British Sign Language Bill’ to be debated in Parliament today :
“As the daughter of profoundly deaf parents, BSL is my first language. I know first-hand the difficulty that deaf people face every day. So often they are ignored, misunderstood or have to fight for attention.
“Acknowledging BSL as a language is a simple, principled step towards ensuring the needs of deaf people who rely on their language are met, and met correctly. Similar pieces of legislation have been passed and made a positive impact in Scotland and New Zealand.
“I am hopeful that the benefits of this Bill will be clear to the Government and that they will do what they can to support its passage through Parliament.”
David Buxton, from the British Deaf Association and Lead Trustee for the BDA’s BSL Act Now! Campaign, added:
“We are absolutely delighted that Rosie supports our work and is bringing this Bill forward. As a sign language user herself from a Deaf family, Rosie shares and understands our lived experiences and knows the barriers we face.
“We will continue to work with Rosie to achieve a legal status for BSL– something the Deaf Community has been waiting for many, many, years. Only then will we have equality, access and provision for our language and our needs.”