It's Sign Language Week 2022! A celebration run on an annual basis by the British Deaf Association (BDA) to encourage people across the UK to learn more about British Sign Language and Deaf culture.
Sign Language Week will run from 14th to 20th March 2022, and this year's theme is 'BSL brings us together'.
"The aim of the campaign is to encourage people of all ages across the UK to take up the challenge of learning some BSL from themselves and finding out more about the language and culture of the 87,000 Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing British people for whom BSL is their first or preferred language."
SIGN LANGUAGE WEEK AND BSL BILL
This year all eyes will be inevitably on the BSL Bill and its Third Reading in Parliament on Friday 18th March. If the BSL Bill passes its 3rd reading, then British Sign Language (BSL) will get full legal status as a language, which means that
it will automatically have legal protection and Deaf people and BSL users will be able to access essential information and services in their first language
it will give Deaf people full and equal access to education, employment, public services, participate in political debates and issues, sit on a jury, etc...
it will help ensure BSL users are fully included in society
it will increase both the official status and public awareness of BSL.
This year’s Sign Language Week represents a unique opportunity to engage with a national audience and achieve the strategic objectives.
18TH MARCH; THE KEY DAY
On 18th March 2003 the UK Government first formally recognised British Sign Language as a language in its own right.
The British Deaf Association (BDA) launched the BSL Act Now! campaign on 18th March 2021 as part of Sign Language Week.
After passing the Second Reading at Parliament, the BSL Bill is ready for the 3rd Reading on the 18th March 2022 before it becomes law..
JOIN SIGN LANGUAGE WEEK!
During this week everybody can take part in raising awareness of the UK's Deaf community and celebrating their beautiful and unique language (British Sign Language - BSL). You can follow, interact and use the hashtag #SignLanguageWeek and #SLWeek2022 so everyone can see it.
The British Deaf Association (BDA) will be sharing Deaf Awareness tips throughout the week, a daily BSL lesson, some fascinating facts about British Sign Language and the Deaf community, and so much more!
Keep an eye on their website and their social media channels and SIGN UP HERE: http://signlanguageweek.org.uk/
Here at Deaf Umbrella we will be also promoting British Sign Language and Deaf culture, as BSL is one of our tools, and will join this celebration sharing sign language videos across our social media channels.
To start with, please find below useful and basic BSL vocabulary videos to help the inclusion for Deaf community.
We hope you enjoy these and if you do, please, feel free to share! ㋡
SIGN LANGUAGE WEEK BASIC VOCABULARY:
MEETING PEOPLE I:
MEETING PEOPLE II:
INTRODUCE YOURSELF:
OPEN QUESTIONS:
EMOTIONS:
CLARIFICATION:
