British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 - recommendations: SG response
Sets out a range of government actions in response to recommendations made by the Equalities, Human Rights, and Civil Justice report into the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, the BSL National Plan 2023-2029, and BSL Local Plans by listed authorities.
8. Cochlear implants and language choice
8.1.1 Recommendation 16/paragraph 86
The Committee recognises the benefits that cochlear implants can bring but is mindful of stakeholder comments that they can lead to a sense of isolation from their community for Deaf children. We agree with Lucy Clark that opportunities to learn both speech and BSL should be provided to Deaf children and that adequate information is provided to hearing families of Deaf children to help inform these choices.
8.1.2 Decision
Accept
8.1.3 Scottish Government Response
It is important that Deaf children and their families are given the appropriate level of information and support regarding the options that are available, to make a choice that is right for them.
Under the Children, Young People, and Families priority in the BSL National Plan 2023-2029 there are several actions related to appropriate support being provided to Deaf children and their families.
This includes actions to support NHS teams and BSL providers to develop robust referral pathways for Deaf and Deafblind children to access the healthcare and language learning support the require, facilitating the building of partnerships and effective working relations between NHS teams and BSL providers, and working with representative groups across Midwifery, Health Visiting, Family Nurse Partnership and Allied Health Professionals and Audiology to highlight the importance of BSL provision on child and family wellbeing. We will continue to progress these actions within the BSL National Plan 2023-29.