British Sign Language (BSL)
Shetland’s British Sign Language Plan 2024 - 2030
Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland's British Sign Language Plan 2024-2030 will be published by Wednesday 1st May.
It was approved by the Policy and Resources Committee of Shetland Islands Council on Wednesday 20th March and will go to the NHS Board in April.
From 22nd February to 7th March we asked for your views on the Draft Plan for Shetland. All comments and feedback were welcomed on the contents of the plan.
A summary video, bullet points and download of the Draft Plan are available below. The Plan follows the BSL National Plan 2023-2029, published 6 November 2023, which was developed through extensive engagement with D/deaf and Deafblind BSL users and those who work with them.
Summary of Shetland’s Draft British Sign Language Plan 2024-2030
The Draft BSL Plan set out how Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland will support and promote BSL. Our Vision is that Shetland is a place that BSL users can thrive and reach their full potential. In the last 6 years we have:
- Improved our BSL awareness in early years, education, health and social care and the elected office
- Improved the way teachers engage with parents who use BSL
- Contributed to the Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) programme of work
- Ensured Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) and Video Relay Service (VRS) are available
- Promoted Access to Elected Office Fund.
There is more we need to do. We have spoken with local BSL users, services and organisations to find out what we need to improve. Some key issues are:
- A lack of BSL awareness and knowledge
- Communication
- Fewer social, cultural and job opportunities
- There are resources which can help with translation, but, not everybody knows about them.
Over the next 6 years, we plan to work with services to raise their awareness of the needs of BSL users, and support them to improve access to: employment; transport; justice; democracy; health and care; and education.
In order to do this well, we need to:
- Promote resources available such as VRI and VRS
- Learn more by engaging with local BSL users
- Look for and promote BSL and BSL Awareness training
- Raise awareness of BSL in the Council & NHS
- Consider BSL users in how we communicate
- Monitor actions in the plan.
Read the Draft Plan here (Shetland’s Draft British Sign Language BSL Plan 24-30)
Consultation Summary
The consultation survey and face to face meetings provided many positive comments about the Draft Plan, including: it was a great step forward, useful and good to see BSL users input. Respondents reiterated that BSL and Deaf awareness was crucial, as was the drive to educate staff on the resources available and the responsibility of services to consider and make provision for BSL.
Feedback included:
- promoting and training staff on available resources
- practical ideas such as finger spelling posters and waving when greeting people, for example
- desire for BSL learning opportunities, including within schools and the community to learn and practice skills
- the need for more social opportunities for BSL users to get together, including the idea of a BSL Club, and
- clear information on how to access translation services when needed.
Delivery will take into account the findings from the consultation.
Have Your Say
We welcome any comments and feedback on the Plan. If you would like to feed-back, please contact us through:
- contactSCOTLAND-BSL, our direct telephone number is: 01595 744153
- Email hannah.chapman@shetland.gov.uk
We can also meet face to face or online with an interpreter present. BSL users can contact us through any of the methods above to arrange.
Alternatively, feedback can be sent in writing to:
Hannah Chapman
BSL Plan
Community Planning
Solarhus
3 North Ness Business Park
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0LZ
Shetland's BSL Plan 2018-2024
Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland's BSL Plan 2018-2024 followed the Scottish Government’s British Sign Language National Plan, published October 2017.
This plan set out the actions the organisations would take over the period 2018 – 2024.
British Sign Language (BSL) supporting plans: