British Sign Language Act 2022

28 April 2022

The British Sign Language Bill was introduced by MP Rosie Cooper on 16 June 2021 as a Private Members' Bill. Today, 28 April 2022, the Act recognises British Sign Language as a language of England, Wales and Scotland.

The Act will require the Secretary of State to report on the promotion and facilitation of the use of British Sign Language by ministerial government departments; and to require guidance to be issued in relation to British Sign Language.

The BSL Act Now! Campaign was led by the British Deaf Association (BDA), working collaboratively with other deaf organisations such as RNID, Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD), Signature, Institute of British Sign Language (iBSL), SignHealth, the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS), National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD), and Black Deaf UK.

The BSL Act 2022 will come into force on Tuesday 28th June 2022.