Information Bulletin 7 from The Deaf Sector Partnership

 

Deaf people’s involvement:

 

What can Deaf people do?

Deaf people should join the Facebook group which BDA are running on behalf of the Scottish Government – that’s the best way to keep in touch with what’s happening, and to find out how you can get involved.

 

How can Deaf people contribute their ideas and views to the plans?

There will be plenty opportunities for Deaf people to contribute their ideas and views to the National Plan over the next two years and these will be advertised on the BSL Facebook Group. We will be asking for views on the possible priorities to be included in the National Plan in summer 2016. Also there is a requirement in the Act for public bodies to consult properly with Deaf and Deafblind BSL users on their draft plans and to show how they have taken account of their views when they publish their final plans. We will be publishing the first Draft National Plan early in 2017. It is really important that Deaf people get involved so that the National Plan and Authority Plans focus on the right things.

 

How can we make sure that Deafblind people can contribute to the plans too?
There is a requirement in the Act for public bodies to make sure that their plans consider the needs of Deafblind people who use BSL, and that they make sure that their consultation on their draft plans is accessible to Deafblind BSL users. Deafblind Scotland is part of the Deaf Sector Partnership which is working with the Scottish Government to support implementation of the Act and so will be on hand to provide advice to public bodies about how to engage with Deafblind BSL users. And they will be supporting Deafblind BSL users to get involved.

 

In what ways can Deaf people give their views? (Some people are isolated; some do not have Facebook accounts or access to the Internet, etc.)

As well as the Facebook group, the Deaf Sector Partnership will be providing a range of opportunities for Deaf and Deafblind people to share their views, including face to face meetings. We will make sure that information about opportunities to get involved is shared not only on Facebook but also through the many organisations who work to support Deaf people.