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Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland)

Proposed law of Northern Ireland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland)
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The Sign Language Bill is a proposed law of Northern Ireland in the Northern Ireland Assembly, relating to the promotion and recognition of British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language.

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Background

On 1 December 2015, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure Carál Ní Chuilín announced plans to establish a framework to promote sign language.[1] In March 2016, the Department for Communities consulted on "Sign Language Framework".[2] This framework contained policy proposals for legislation.[2] The 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement included a committemnt to the introduction of legislation relating to sign language.[3]

The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015, Irish Sign Language Act 2017, British Sign Language Act 2022 were passed.[4] In January 2025, a member of the Senedd launched a consultation on a Senedd bill which would promote British Sign Language.[5]

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Provisions

The act requires that public bodies take reasonable steps to ensure that information and services are provided in a way that is fully accessible to individuals in the deaf community.[6]

Legislative passage

In February 2025, the bill was introduced to the Assembly.[7]

Gordon Lyons communicated in sign language during the first part of his speech.[6]

Other developments

During the passage of the legislation, the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced a service to provide access to interpreters.[8]

See also

References

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