A landmark day for Deaf Rights: British Sign Language Act became law

On 28 April 2022, a historic moment unfolded for the Deaf community in the United Kingdom as the British Sign Language (BSL) Act officially became law.

This landmark legislation marked a significant step forward in recognizing BSL as an official language in England, Wales, and Scotland. To commemorate this milestone, National BSL Day is now celebrated every year on 28 April.

For years, Deaf individuals and advocacy groups had campaigned tirelessly for this formal recognition. The Act places a duty on government departments to have regard to the need to promote and facilitate the use of BSL. This means that when making decisions and formulating policies, government bodies must consider how these will impact BSL users and actively work to ensure they have equal access to information and services.

The passing of the BSL Act was widely celebrated as a victory for Deaf rights and inclusion. It not only acknowledges the linguistic identity of BSL users but also paves the way for greater accessibility in crucial areas such as education, healthcare, and public services. While the Act is a crucial first step, the focus now turns to its effective implementation and ensuring that its promise of greater inclusion becomes a tangible reality for the Deaf community across the UK, with National BSL Day on April 28th serving as an annual reminder of this commitment and a celebration of the language.