Curriculum Change Next Step in BSL Journey
Five years on from the unanimous passing of Mark Griffin’s British Sign Language (Scotland) Act in the Scottish Parliament, the Central Scotland MSP has been reflecting on the progress made and the next steps that are required to reach BSL equality.
Mr Griffin has stated that further steps should be taken to embed BSL in the modern languages curriculum to support more young people learn the language at school.
Mr Griffin said:
“I am incredibly proud of the BSL Act, which was passed unanimously by MSPs five years ago. We have seen tangible change since the Act came into effect, with the government, government agencies, Health Boards, councils and other public services producing national and local plans, and breaking down the barriers that so many deaf people face on a daily basis.
“Even simple things, like the First Minister’s daily press conferences, include live BSL interpretation, something that probably wouldn’t have happened without the BSL Act.
“An important next step in the road to BSL equality is embedding the language within the curriculum and supporting more children learn BSL. My daughter was born in the days after the passing of the BSL Act. All those who were born when the BSL Act passed started Primary One this year, so what better a way to build on its legacy by supporting that generation of BSL Act children learn BSL at school from now on.
“It is bold steps like this that will support the next generation become much more proficient in BSL and continue to journey we started five years ago.”
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