National BSL Day: BSL is recognised, but are people actually getting access?

BSL is now legally recognised in the UK ➝ That’s progress.

But recognition doesn’t automatically create access.

Every day, Deaf people are still:

• Attending meetings without full understanding

• Missing key information

• Relying on others instead of having direct communication

The issue is not the law, but what happens after.

The British Sign Language Act 2022 marked a major step forward. It formally recognises BSL as a language in its own right.

Alongside the Equality Act 2010, it strengthens the expectation that Deaf people should have equal access to communication.

But here’s the gap.

Having a right and knowing how to use it are two different things. That’s why we’ve created a simple, practical guide, to celebrate National BSL Day (28th April):

How to request a BSL interpreter (and actually get one)

No legal jargon or vague advice. Just clear steps that work in real situations.

If you’ve ever:

• Asked for support and been ignored

• Not known who to contact

• Felt unsure about what to say

This guide will help you move forward with confidence.

Click here to download our brand new guide.

Download