New sign language bill set to “Truly change lives”

A newly drafted sign language bill in Northern Ireland is expected to have a real impact on people’s lives. This was stated in a report by the Assembly’s Communities Committee.

Under the proposed legislation, all public bodies across the region will be required to make their services accessible in sign language for people who are deaf. The bill also предусматриes increasing the number of sign language interpreters and expanding sign language education in schools from the early years.

The Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025 was introduced to the Assembly in February this year by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. Its main objective is to ensure that information and services provided by government departments and public bodies are more accessible to the deaf community.

Before being put to a vote, the bill was examined in detail by members of the Communities Committee. That scrutiny process has now been completed, and the legislation is ready for its final stages in the Assembly.

The bill proposes granting British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) official and equal recognition as languages of Northern Ireland. It would also legally require public bodies to take “reasonable steps” to ensure that the information and services they provide are as accessible to deaf individuals as they are to others.

According to the Department for Communities, at least 5,000 people in Northern Ireland use BSL or ISL as their primary means of communication.

As part of its review, the committee heard evidence from various organisations and groups, including deaf school pupils. Students said that being unable to use sign language and having to rely on lip-reading was exhausting. They also expressed a desire to see greater representation of deaf people in the media and in politics.

A report published on Thursday noted that implementing the services outlined in the bill — such as providing additional translators and interpreters — would cost approximately £3 million per year.

The chair of the Communities Committee, Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, said the committee had made changes to ensure the final legislation is more inclusive and fit for purpose. He stated that “this bill belongs to the deaf community” and that the proposed law has the potential to bring about real change in people’s lives.