Debate contribution: Sign Language Bill: Second Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on .
- MLA
- Mr Robbie Butler
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 18 February 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Executive Committee Business
- Heading
- Sign Language Bill: Second Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4806659
Read the official Assembly record
Text
That is the last compliment that you are going to get in this mandate.
Thanks to those in the Public Gallery and the activists who, for many years, have wrestled with us, regardless of whether we have been here or not, to bring forward legislation that should, hopefully, bring tangible change to their lives. I therefore welcome this moment, particularly at this early stage. I know that it is only the Second Stage, but, as Kellie Armstrong outlined, it is imperative that we do not just give each other a pat on the back but add a level of scrutiny and deliberative, proactive engagement on all these matters. We must test the legislation diligently to ensure that we deliver something that has both scope and breadth to bring about tangible change. We must ensure that we take every opportunity to create ambitious law but, very importantly, do not overpromise, because that is almost as bad as getting it wrong. That is why, today, I will seek some clarity to measure the ambition and, hopefully, hear some assurance from the Minister that the legislation will deliver transformative change, particularly for deaf children and young people and the wider deaf community in Northern Ireland. As I have said, for too long, our deaf community has faced real barriers to full participation in society. The Bill presents a chance to right those imbalances, but we must ensure that it has teeth so that it has an impact on their lives. This is not about well-intentioned words on a page or great speeches. I particularly welcome the recognition of British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language and the commitment to promoting greater understanding of and access to those languages. For deaf children, adults and their families, it is about more than just policy; it is about dignity, inclusion and the fundamental right to communicate in their own language. I commend the recognition that deaf children and their families should have access to sign language classes. I ask the Minister whether that will be fully resourced. That is a point that Kellie Armstrong made. I know that it is early, but we need to ensure that, in our compressed mandate, we deliver on what we can and that the classes are widely available and accessible to all families, regardless of income and geography. There are a number of assessments that we can make. I would like to ensure that provision is rural-proofed and prosperity-independent so that it is not just for those who live in our cities or well-populated towns. We need to ensure that those in rural communities and those who do not have much money to access services are not left behind at any point. Good intentions will mean little if families who desperately need those classes cannot access them. Public bodies must be held accountable for ensuring sign language access across all areas of deaf children's lives, be that in education, healthcare, social services or everyday interactions with government. The Bill must guarantee that sign language is embedded as a right and is not an afterthought. The National Deaf Children's Society has made it clear that access to a language-rich environment from birth is critical for deaf children's development, whether that is in communication, learning, forming friendships or participating in their communities. It is not just about schooling; it is about lifelong inclusion. We have debated many times the importance of the first 1,001 days in any child's life. If any child has additional needs or a disability, that must be picked up at the earliest stage, and we must not wait or delay in getting those necessary supports in place. We all know that legislation is only as strong as its implementation, so I will ask the Minister a number of questions. Will the Bill be backed by the necessary funding and resources to ensure that it is more than just symbolic? What mechanisms will be in place to monitor its success and listen to experiences, particularly those of deaf children, young people and their families? How will we ensure that teachers and interpreters are appropriately accredited and registered so that quality is not compromised? Will we measure the outcomes for deaf children in later life to ensure that they get all the employment opportunities that they should and all of life's wonderful offerings?
Those are not just technical questions: the answers will determine whether the Bill will deliver real change or simply set aspirations that will never be met. We need to be clear about the stakes. There are at least 1,600 deaf children in Northern Ireland today, more than half of whom have a mild or moderate level of deafness. As we know, the vast majority attend mainstream schools. We also know that deaf children in Northern Ireland are more likely than their hearing peers to experience mental health issues, with figures at around 21% compared with 12% of the general population. That, sadly, is not an accident. It is the result of systemic barriers, isolation and a lack of support. Minister, the Bill has the potential to be a lifeline that can ensure that no deaf child is left struggling because they cannot fully access their education, their community, the health system or their future. If we get the Bill right, we will be doing more than just passing legislation. We will be correcting an equality imbalance that has persisted for too long. We will be giving more than hope to deaf children and their parents, and we will be legislating for their future, for their success and for a society that truly values them. I am sorry that I am not on the Communities Committee for the Bill. I would really like to be part of it, but I am sure that, when Andy is back, we will work collegiately to assist you with the Bill.
979 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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