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Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland)
Proposed law of Northern Ireland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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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