Deaf Issues and Culture

Deaf issues and culture - information for hearing people and service providers

British Sign Language (BSL) has been officially recognised by the British Government as a language since 2003. It is the first or preferred language of nearly 70,000 Deaf people in the UK; that's more people than speak Welsh or Gaelic and is also used by their families, friends and professionals including sign language interpreters.

Because BSL is a language in its own right with its own vocabulary, grammar, syntax and humour (and not just a signed version of English) it has strong cultural implications. This is reflected in the fact that 'Deaf' with a capital D is used to describe someone who is 'culturally' Deaf; usually someone with profound hearing loss, who uses British Sign Language as their first or preferred method of communication, much as someone would describe themselves as British or French, both capitalised, to describe their cultural and linguistic identity. People who are 'deaf' (small d) on the other hand are people with a hearing impairment, usually acquired later in life, whose first or preferred language is English .

Because BSL is a distinct language and the Deaf Community have their own identifiable culture, a number of common themes often arise when Deaf people are consulted with, which service providers, policy makers and government need to bear in mind or take action on these include:

• The importance and need for Deaf Awareness training.
• An awareness that whilst Deaf people are often protected from discrimination under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) , most Deaf people do not consider themselves disabled
• The importance of using plain English and 'easy read' documents and web content
• The importance of using BSL web content where possible and other appropriate technologies for communication such as SMS text and e-mails (in plain English)
• The need for appropriate BSL skills amongst hearing staff ranging from Level 1 to Level 4.
• The importance of using Registered (suitably qualified) Interpreters not friends, family or staff with basic BSL.
• The need for greater numbers of interpreters (there is a national shortage of BSL interpreters in England)
• The importance of providing information and services in BSL wherever possible
• The need for visual alerting systems, subtitles and signage alongside audio information.
• The need to bring people together to communicate and reduce isolation.

A range of organisations provide information, advice and guidance regarding D/deaf issues and services, to view links to these organisations please see: Useful Links