Devon Charter for British Sign Language (BSL)

Disability

Devon Charter for British Sign Language (BSL)

Devon BSL Charter

Introduction

This Charter contains a series of pledges that are aimed at improving the lives of Deaf people in Devon – providing a framework for organisations on how to ensure Deaf people access services and education fully and have their language needs met on contact.

The Charter contains a number of commitments which organisations will either have in place, or will be working towards achieving within a reasonable timescale.

It is expected that the Charter will give Deaf people, who use BSL, a basis on which to assert their rights to receive a minimum standard of service from an organisation. It translates the legal duties of the Equality Act 2010/Disability Discrimination Act into practical, meaningful solutions.

This Charter has been developed for the people of Devon, by the Devon BSL Charter Group. It is based upon the British Deaf Association’s Charter for British Sign Language.

The British Deaf Association are in the process of updating their Charter and it is likely we will replace the Devon Charter with the national one when it is launched.

The Devon BSL Charter

BSL Videos (with voiceover):

Introduction (includes Introduction)
Pledge 1
Pledge 2
Pledge 3
Pledge 4
Pledge 5

English versions:

Tell us if you're committed to the Charter!

We would like to know if your organisation is committed to the Devon BSL Charter. Please let us know.

Organisations will have to complete a self assessment as evidence of their commitment to, or achievement of, a pledge.

Organisations 'signed up' to the charter:

Devon County Council
Living Options Devon
North Devon Deaf Children's Society - Pledges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
East Devon College - Pledges 1 & 5.
Plymouth Theatre Royal - Pledge 1
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue - Pledges 1 & 5
Equata, the South West Disability Development Agency
Honiton Primary School - Pledges 1 & 3.
Torbay Council - Pledges 1, 4 & 5
Teignbridge District Council - Pledges 1 & 5
Riviera Housing Trust (part of Santuary Housing Group) - Pledges 1,4 & 5.
Westcountry Housing Association (Pledges 1 & 5)

Self Assessment Process

To remain ‘signed up’ to the BSL Charter organisations are required to review and publish a Self Assessment once a year (ideally April/May). A Self Assessment Report Template is available for use. Full instructions are on the report template.

Devon BSL Charter Group

Current members of the Devon BSL Charter Group are representatives from: Devon County Council, Living Options Devon Deaf Project, Devon Fire and Rescue, Devon and Cornwall Police, Exeter City Council, Teignbridge District Council, Primary Care Trust, and the Royal Academy for Deaf Education.

Please contact us if you would like to join the group.

Interpreting Services Group

Devon County Council along with partners has supported research into Interpreting Services for BSL users across Devon led by Living Options Devon Deaf Project. The Interpreting Services Group looked at ways of responding to the recommenations of the report and as a result a new Interpreting Agency is operating in the area.

Summary report - An Investigation of Sign Language Interpreting in Devon 2006. (124KB - pdf help)

Sign Vision

Sign Vision Conferences Report (400KB - pdf help) tells the story of Sign Vision events (1,2 and 3) and the Devon Charter for British Sign Language.

Sign Vision Conferences Report - BSL Version:

Sign Vision 4 events were held across Devon during 2010:

Results of the Finance Workshop held in Barnstaple on 19th March. (41KB - pdf help)

UK Deaf Heritage Month - Devon leads the way!

Deaf Heritage Month Party! - Exeter, 18th March 2010 (294KB - pdf help)

Deaf Devon booklet - with inspirational biographies from Deaf Communities across Devon and BSL Supported Events Listing

The first UK Deaf Heritage Month is taking place in Devon in March 2010. Deaf Heritage Month seeks to raise the awareness of and celebrate Deaf Culture. Events and activities, are also being planned across Devon at museums, libraries, archives and arts centres, these include signed storytelling and guided signed tours. Why not organise an event in your area? For more information, join the Deaf Heritage Month group on Facebook.

ITV's Signpost are helping us make Deaf Heritage Month a national event.

Learning British Sign Language

Information about British Sign Language courses is available from Signature and Devon Adult and Community Learning.

Advice on Keeping Warm

National Energy Action (NEA) is a charity working to end fuel poverty. NEA provide information and advice on how to keep warm and well and have produced an Affordable Warmth video in BSL. Following requests at SignVision3, where NEA gave a presentation, we have made this video available through our website. Affordable Warmth - BSL Video