What is DCAL doing to help Sign language?
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement provides the overarching policy objective for our work on linguistic diversity Although British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) were not specifically mentioned in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the Department has always treated them as recognised languages. On 29 March 2004, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced the formal recognition of BSL and ISL as languages in their own right. Through a Sign Language Partnership Group, Government Departments working together with representatives of the Deaf community in partnership under the leadership of DCAL, are taking action to improve respect, understanding and tolerance of BSL and ISL and to develop ideas for improving access to public services. Work to date has included the development of a touring exhibition to raise awareness of BSL and ISL, the development of guidance to front line staff in Government Departments and Research to identify options and opportunities to
