What our British Sign Language (BSL) Plan is
The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 requires us to publish a BSL plan every 6 years showing how we’ll promote and facilitate the use and understanding of BSL.
Our BSL Plan helps us better meet the needs of BSL users. The actions in the plan cover a range of council services, such as improving BSL content on the website and encouraging BSL-using parents to take part in parent councils.
The plan was developed in consultation with BSL users and follows the Scottish Government’s BSL National Plan (Scottish Government website). The BSL National Plan’s ambition is to make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, visit, and learn. The BSL National Plan commits the Scottish Government to several actions under 10 priority areas. We framed our plan in Renfrewshire around the same long-term goals as the BSL National Plan where these areas are relevant to the council.
Who the plan is for
Renfrewshire’s BSL Plan is relevant to anyone who is a BSL user. This includes but is not limited to people whose first or preferred language is BSL and people who receive the language in a tactile form due to sight loss.
We acknowledge that the majority of BSL users are deaf or deafblind and that there are many deaf and deafblind people who do not use BSL.
The plan is also relevant to anyone with a connection to BSL, such as family members of deaf people who are BSL users, parents of deaf children, and more.
Why the plan matters
The BSL Plan is important because it promotes equality and inclusion for the Deaf community, ensuring they have equal access to services and opportunities. Our plan helps to address barriers faced by BSL users in various aspects of life.
How to read or view the plan
In English
You can download the Renfrewshire BSL Plan:
In BSL
You can view the plan in BSL videos:
Contact us
We welcome feedback on our BSL Plan from anyone, including residents, organisations, community and voluntary groups, and members of the public.
We want to ensure that the plan's actions are relevant and responsive to BSL users over the plan's timespan. Whether you’re an individual or part of a group, we’re happy for you to get in touch with us, and we’ll arrange a suitable way to collect your feedback.
Email Astrid Smallenbroek, the equalities development officer, at astrid.smallenbroek@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
If you’re a BSL user, contact Astrid Smallenbroek, the equalities development officer, through Contact Scotland BSL (non-council website) on +44 141 487 3212.