Improving Access for Deaf and Disabled People

The government has recently announced new measures to improve access and inclusion for Deaf and disabled people, with a strong focus on British Sign Language (BSL).

For the first time, each government department will develop its own 5-year plan to increase and improve the use of BSL in public services and communications. This is part of a wider effort to remove the everyday barriers many Deaf and disabled people face when trying to access services, including health and care.

These changes have come alongside the latest British Sign Language report, which shows some progress in how BSL is being used across government since the first report was published in 2023. While current law only requires updates every three years, the government has committed to publishing annual BSL progress reports up to 2027, a sign of growing momentum.

A New ‘Plan for Disability’

Alongside the BSL plans, the government is also developing a new Plan for Disability, which will set out how it aims to create more opportunities for Deaf and disabled people and make services work better for everyone. The aim is to ensure that the views of those with lived experience shape how departments operate, especially when it comes to joined-up working and inclusive communication.

For people who rely on health and care services, accessible communication is vital. This includes making sure information is available in BSL, Easy Read, and other formats, so that everyone has the chance to understand their care and make informed decisions.

Supporting Change

The British Sign Language Advisory Board which advises the government on issues affecting the Deaf community is currently recruiting new members as its first term ends. The Board helps ensure that policy changes reflect the real-world needs of BSL users. The government is also looking at wider issues of equality, including plans to introduce mandatory disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting for large employers, as part of a draft Equality Bill. This could help create more inclusive workplaces and support better outcomes for disabled people across the country.

At Healthwatch, we know that good communication is central to people’s experiences of health and social care, and we’ll be watching closely to see how these changes are implemented, and how they improve access to information and services for the people we represent.