British Sign Language Bill backed by ‘Strictly' star clears Commons hurdle
The Independent|January 29, 2022
A proposal to give British Sign Language (BSL) legal recognition and enhance its use in public services has been backed in the Commons.
MARTINA BETTETO
British Sign Language Bill backed by ‘Strictly' star clears Commons hurdle

The measures are included in a private member’s bill, which has the backing of Strictly Come Dancing champion and EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.

The British Sign Language Bill was given an unopposed second reading in the Commons after securing government support.

Although BSL was recognised as a language in its own right by the government in 2003, it has no legal protection. Labour MP Rosie Cooper, who put forward the bill, said making BSL a legally-recognised language will send a clear message to every deaf person that “their language is equal and should be treated as equal”.

In an emotional speech in the Commons, Ms Cooper recalled her own experiences of growing up as the hearing child of deaf parents. The MP for West Lancashire said: “Growing up, I saw first-hand the diffiulties deaf people face every day. The huge challenges my parents had to overcome, to be heard, to be listened to. More importantly, to be understood. Now, I’m told I booked my first family holiday when I was four years old. I don’t remember but I did.”

This story is from the January 29, 2022 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the January 29, 2022 edition of The Independent.

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