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7 Tips for Better BSL Access in Scottish Public Services

These tips help Scottish public services improve accessibility for Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users and meet the aims of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015.
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  • Engage with the Deaf community

    Work closely with your local Deaf community.

    You should:

    • Involve Deaf BSL users in planning and decision-making.
    • Listen to their views and experiences.
    • Make decisions together that directly affect their daily lives.
    • Empower Deaf people to influence how services are delivered.

  • Create BSL resources

    Provide information in British Sign Language alongside written English.

    Good practice includes:

    • Employing Deaf BSL presenters where appropriate.
    • Publishing BSL videos at the same time as written information.
    • Making sure your organisation has a budget for producing accessible BSL resources.

  • Promote your BSL resources

    Ensure Deaf people know your BSL resources are available.

    You can:

    • Promote your BSL content to the Deaf community.
    • Ask BDA Scotland for support.
    • Share your BSL resources on the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 Facebook group.
    • Work with local Deaf clubs and community organisations to help spread information.

  • Make your website easy to use

    Your website should make it simple for Deaf BSL users to find information.

    Consider:

    • Providing one-click access to BSL resources from the homepage.
    • Including a recognised BSL symbol or icon.
    • Keeping navigation clear and consistent.
    • Making BSL videos easy to locate.

  • Book qualified BSL/English interpreters

    Arrange interpreters as early as possible.

    You should:

    • Book qualified and registered BSL/English interpreters in advance.
    • Check whether your organisation already has a contract with an interpreting agency.
    • Ask Deaf BSL users if they have a preferred interpreter where possible.

    Registered interpreter organisations

    For further information, visit:

    • Scottish Register of Language Professionals with the Deaf Community (SRLPDC)
    • National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)

  • Use Contact Scotland BSL

    Communicate with Deaf BSL users through Contact Scotland BSL, the Scottish Government-funded online video interpreting service.

    This allows:

    • Deaf BSL users to contact your organisation using BSL.
    • Your organisation to communicate directly with Deaf BSL users through an interpreter.

  • Use Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) appropriately

    Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) should only be used when a face-to-face interpreter is not available.

    When using VRI:

    • Make sure the Wi-Fi or internet connection is reliable.
    • Ensure the video quality is clear.
    • Check that both parties can see each other clearly throughout the conversation.
    • Contact

    Helen Morgans-Wenhold
    BDA Scotland

    Email: helen.morgans-wenhold@bda.org.uk

    Text: 07885 367674

    FaceTime / WhatsApp: 07885 367674