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Consultation on BSL Act. Heads of Services Forum 30.8.12. Mark Griffin MSP. mark.griffin.msp@ scottish.parliam ent.uk 30 th October 2012 is deadline for responses. Proposals. Minister with responsibility for BSL Government and public body action plans to promote the language
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Consultation on BSL Act Heads of Services Forum 30.8.12
Mark Griffin MSP mark.griffin.msp@scottish.parliament.uk 30th October 2012 is deadline for responses
Proposals • Minister with responsibility for BSL • Government and public body action plans to promote the language • Action plans published • May be a panel of fluent BSL users to advise ministers
What isn’t in the proposal • No mention of education • Equality Act UK means difficult to discuss education, goods or services • Promotion of the language and more public recognition • May lead to Government focusing more on advice for education about BSL user
Consultation questions • Available as a pdf on SCOD website and translated into BSL • Could you get pupils to respond? • Could you respond yourself? • Wide responses, positive or negative, are important • Email your responses to Mark
Overview of Questions • Do you support the general aim of the proposed BSL Bill? • Do you believe legislation is required? If not, what other non-legislative means can be followed? • What, if any, might be the main benefits of the proposed Bill? Do you see any challenges?
Overview of Questions • Do you agree with the case for taking specific action to promote BSL (as opposed to other minority languages)? • To what extent might this proposed Bill improve awareness of the case for access to free BSL classes for deaf children and their families? What other non-legislative measures might be required? • Should there be a designated Minister to take the lead on BSL in the Scottish Government or should this be the responsibility of all Scottish Ministers?
Overview of Questions • Do you believe an Advisory Board of BSL users should be established, to advise the designated minister or all Scottish Ministers? • Relevant public authorities will have to develop BSL action plans. Should there be a detailed list of such authorities? • What financial implications do you envisage the proposed Bill would have for you or your organisation? • Do you believe if this proposed Bill becomes law, it will have a positive or negative impact on equality and diversity within your organisation?
Please respond to Mark and encourage colleagues to do so too • If you would like to, send copies of responses to the SSC as it would be interesting to see the range of views going in – could be a good newsletter article • Contact Rachel on rachel.oneill@ed.ac.uk 0131 651 6429 if you have any questions about doing a response