EU recognition of sign language

So, on the 17th of June 1988 the European Parliament asked all the members of the EU to recognise Sign Language as the language of their Deaf communities. The European Parliament [...] calls on the Commission to make a proposal to the Council concerning official recognition of the sign language used by deaf people in each Member State.
— European Parliament Resolution on Sign Languages 1988

After this many EU countries began to recognise Sign Language(s);
Austria- Sept 2005, Austrian Parliament recognised Austrian Sign Language as an independent language.
Belgium- French Belgium Sign Language was recognised in 2003 and Flemish Sign in 2006.
Czech Republic- 1998, Sign Language Law recognise sign language as a human language.
Ireland- No recognition yet, but many are calling for it to become the third official language of the country.


Many countries that do not recognise sign language do so because of several reasons:
1, The reason Italy gives is that Sign Language is grammarless, however for something to be classified it must have grammar, which must sign languages have even if it not the same as spoken.
2, There are many variations of it within a country, so it would be hard to recognise them all.
But these are just excuses, all countries should recognise Sign Language as it is a part of them and people in their countries use it to communicate so should be given the same legal recognition as other minority languages.

4. I am...

I was stood watching him. I knew I should not have been, I had a wife, but I could not help it. We were just friends, but I wanted to spend every living moment with him, forever.

I am,

3. I am...

The sea was so wild that night, the waves kept hitting the side of the ship. They were losing control of the ship, then we were sinking. All I could see was darkness, then nothing.

I am,

My time on the YAB

So for the last 18 months I have been on the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS)’s Youth Advisory Broad (YAB). I joined in December 2015 and today, July the First 2017 is the last day. The YAB is made up of around 18 deaf young people aged 11-18 from England, Northern Island, Scotland and Wales. I have done so much on the YAB, I’ve meet some really great people and felt like I had done something meaningful.

With them I have;

·         Been to the South West Every Deaf Child Matters Conference and spoke in front of around 50 people.

·         Have done two radio interviews, the first was with Heart Radio and the second with BBC Wiltshire, taking about our campaign, Right to Sign

·         Had a part in a campaign, putting sign language in schools as a qualification.

·         And finally went on the ‘Road Show’, as a volunteer and a role model for young deaf children and talked with them about technology that will help them.

I have also improved my sign language skills and my confidence, I now know I can stand in front of a bunch of “old people” and share my ideas accompanied by some signing.

So thank you Sarah and the rest of NDCS for making mine and the others time on the YAB, a really wonderful experience and allowed us the chance to share our views.

PS. Sarah, I hope you have fun in Exeter, and thank you.