This week is #SignLanguageWeek

This week is Sign Language Week, an exciting national campaign that is led by the British Deaf Association (BDA).

It is celebrated every year in March to commemorate the first time British Sign Language (BSL) was acknowledged as a language in its own right by the UK Government on 18^th March 2023. This year is particularly special as it marks the 20^th anniversary of the historic moment.

The BDA is also celebrating an even bigger milestone this year as on 28^th April 2022, BSL was finally recognised in law as an indigenous language of Great Britain in the BSL Act (2022). It was followed by similarly ground-breaking legislation in Scotland – BSL Act (Scotland) (2015).

Throughout Sign Language Week EEAST will be sharing a ‘sign of the day’ on social media, which you can follow on the links below.

Facebook – East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Twitter – @EastEnglandAmb
Instagram - @EastEnglandAmb

EEAST’s Disability Support Network is here to support staff with a disability, including hearing loss, if you would like to find out more information or join the network, email DisabilitySupportNetwork@eastamb.nhs.uk.

You can also find out more information about Sign Language Week on the organisations website here.

Published 13th March 2023