British Sign Language

BSL is the first or preferred language of approximately 3,000 people in Wales and is recognised by the Assembly Government as a language in its own right.

A Cabinet Task and Finish Group, established by my colleague the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration in June 2004 and chaired by Karen Sinclair AM, investigated BSL Interpreter services in Wales.  It found that - compared to other European Countries - the number of appropriately qualified BSL/Spoken Language interpreters in Wales is poor.

It recommended the Assembly Government should establish a British Sign Language Apprentice Interpreter Scheme.

The Assembly Government has committed £1.6 million as funding to BSL Futures – The British Sign Language Apprentice Interpreter Scheme for Wales.  The partnership running the Scheme has already secured, from the European Social Fund, over £1.1 million of match funding against the Assembly Government commitment and is in the process of recruiting its first 10 apprentice interpreters.

The Scheme will also invest in Wales’ capacity to teach BSL by:
• training more BSL tutors to teach the language at the highest levels;
• supporting colleges across Wales to develop their BSL course provision;
• developing a postgraduate course in BSL/Spoken Language interpreting; and
• supporting public service providers in Wales to develop the capacity to deliver services in BSL.  

The availability of interpreters has a direct impact on social inclusion and access to services for BSL using citizens.  This is a significant step forward.