Join the UK Government’s British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board

As we reported back in April, the British Sign Language Bill has come into effect, creating a special BSL Advisory Board.

The Act legally recognises BSL as an official language of Great Britain, requiring the government to ‘promote and facilitate’ BSL and issue guidance on its use in wider society.

The advisory board has been set up by the Department for Work and Pensions to help with bringing the law into practice.

Launching the recruitment for the board, Minister for Disabled People Chloe Smith MP said: “The British Sign Language Act is helping to remove barriers faced by Deaf people in daily life and the Advisory Board is a key element of this important work.

“The Board will help deliver better outcomes for the Deaf community by advising Government on how to tackle key issues facing Deaf people, such as how to increase the number of BSL interpreters and making sure BSL is at the heart of Government policy.

“I would urge anyone with a passion for helping us create a more inclusive and accessible society to consider applying for a position on the Board.”

The British Sign Language (BSL) Advisory Board

The BSL advisory board will be made up of 16 members plus two additional co-chairs; one being an independent chairperson and the other being a senior civil servant. The Government wants members of the board to have experience of BSL, either as their first language as a Deaf person or as their second language as a parent or child of a deaf person.

Positions on the board are also available for those who know BSL as an interpreter, either through schools, organisations or charities. One space will also be reserved for a tactile signer to represent deaf-blind people.

In addition to other duties, board members will be expected to share their experiences of being a BSL signer and any challenges they may have faced. Their remit is to advise on how to improve Government communications for BSL signers and work on the development of guidance for ministerial departments.

To be considered for a position on the advisory board, members must have a knowledge of BSL as a language, its role in enabling the inclusion of Deaf people and its cultural importance; an understanding of Deaf culture and the Deaf community, and the barriers faced by Deaf people; and a willingness to work with fellow members to help government be more accessible”.

The advisory board will meet every quarter with the first term lasting for three years. All meetings will be held in both English and BSL and will last 2-3 hours.

A position on the board comes without pay, although reasonable meeting expenses will be reimbursed.

The closing date for applications is 5 pm on September 2nd, with more information available on the Government’s BSL advisory board webpage.