Debate contribution: Sign Language Interpretation
Debate contribution by Mrs Sinéad Ennis on .
- MLA
- Mrs Sinéad Ennis
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 23 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Sign Language Interpretation
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5637111
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question. The Sign Language Bill makes provision for the recognition and promotion of British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL). Once enacted and commenced, it is expected to place duties on prescribed organisations, including duties to take reasonable steps to ensure that the information and services that they provide are as accessible to people in the deaf community as they are to others. Further detail on those duties is expected to be set out in statutory guidance in due course. Sign language interpretation services are currently provided to the Assembly Commission through the sign language interpretation services contract. The contract provides for the interpretation of one Question Time each week in BSL and ISL and for sign language interpretation to meet other ad hoc business needs. During the passage of the Sign Language Bill, the contract was used to support accessibility at each stage of the legislative process. That included interpretation of the call for evidence, enabling BSL and ISL users to submit responses in video format, and interpretation of amendments to the Bill, which were then made available on the Assembly website. Feedback received from members of the deaf community was positive. On publication of the statutory guidance, the Assembly Commission will consider its responsibilities and determine whether any related policy or procedural changes are required. The Assembly Commission will ensure that future contractual arrangements support the Commission's statutory responsibilities and enable the continued delivery of plenary and Committee business in a way that is responsive to the needs of the deaf community.
262 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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