Arabic version: أيرلندا الشمالية تطلق دروس لغة الإشارة المجانية للأطفال الصم

Northern Ireland will become the first part of the UK to provide free sign language classes to all deaf children and their families, through a new sign language law being passed on Tuesday. The Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025 will put a duty on the Department for Communities to provide free classes for deaf people under 25 and their close families, guardians, and carers.

According to BBC News, Anthony Sinclair, who is profoundly deaf, said he is relieved the law is imminent after years of campaigning. He emphasized the importance of the legislation in promoting equality and respect for deaf culture and language.

The new law will also officially recognize British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) as languages of Northern Ireland, aiming to enhance the understanding and use of sign languages. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons introduced the bill in February last year, committing to its passage shortly after taking office.

Kristina, Sinclair’s wife and a registered language interpreter, described the legislation as a “brilliant first step” towards creating more opportunities for the deaf community. The law requires public bodies to ensure that their services are accessible to individuals in the deaf community, marking a pivotal moment for inclusivity in Northern Ireland.

Estimates suggest that at least 5,000 people in Northern Ireland use BSL or ISL as their preferred way to communicate. The implementation of services under the new law, including increased availability of interpreters, is projected to cost about £3 million annually. With the current number of registered sign language interpreters at 44, the new measures aim to address a longstanding gap in support for the deaf community in the region.