BSL goes mainstream: the logical end?

A gathering, led by Secretary of State Andrew Smith and Maria Eagle, Minister for Disabled People, was held at the Department for Work and Pensions. A statement was made outlining their position on BSL:

"The Government recognises that British Sign Language (BSL) is a language in its own right, regularly used by a significant number of people ... BSL is a visual-gestural language with its own vocabulary, grammar and syntax."

Andrew Smith explained that £1 million would be provided to start a "programme of initiatives to support the statement." Maria Eagle added that this money will be used to increase awareness of the "communication needs of deaf people who use BSL and increasing opportunities for people to study BSL at a professional level."

According to statistics from the British Deaf Association, BSL is the first or preferred language for 70,000 Deaf people in the UK. For this significant number of UK citizens the announcement is a turning point, yet is only the beginning of a long battle. It is by no means over.

BSL may now have been recognised as an official language by the UK Government, but it still has no force in law. The fight for total inclusion continues. A BSL march willl be taking place in London on 5 July. This has been organised by the Federation of Deaf People (FDP), who have tirelessly fought for Deaf Rights and are pioneers in the recognition of BSL.

The first step has been taken, but many more need to be made. Total inclusion of BSL as an official language would mean:

Increased access for Deaf people to information. Total BSL recognition and inclusion in the European Charter could mean services provided ad hoc. There would be equal access to public information and health care, on par with that of non-Deaf.

Recognition would mean further equality for Deaf people; we would no longer be seen as second-rate citizens.

Access to education for young Deaf children would improve. Deaf children should be given the right to an education in their natural and preferred language. BSL could also be provided as a language choice on the National Curriculum!

The DDA prevents discrimination in the workplace, but this is not infallible. BSL recognition will put us on an equal par.

An overall increase in Deaf confidence! Recent studies held by Mind into Deafness and mental health show that Deaf people suffer higher rates of anxiety and depression than able-bodied people. This can be linked to communication difficulties. BSL recognition and inclusion on a national basis would be a major step towards removing these barriers. The FDP and Deafies from all over the UK want a British Sign Language Act to be set up to promote and encourage the use of BSL. The FDP additionally call for a British Sign Language Board to be set up (possibly modelled on the Welsh Language Board).

I can see all this happening one day: total inclusion for us all in mainstream society. BSL will be commonplace. I will no longer have problems ordering a drink in the pub, and will be able to go to an art gallery or museum whenever I feel like it. Ringing ahead and checking access will be a thing of the past.

So then, what will happen to the Deaf community when BSL eventually gets this official recognition ...?

I've thought long and hard about the possible scenarios and have included my most imaginative one here. It's possible that life as we know it could totally change and, some of us would say, not for the better. So here's my Orwellian look to the future. Read and criticise!

The ties that really bind us as a Deaf community are our language and culture, our history, the oppression and discrimination we face (or faced). It's all about our schools, our education, our campaigns for recognition and access.

When BSL is fully recognised the language will no longer be restricted to us only; it will become more widespread. Will the BSL language bond of the Deaf Community wither and die? I'm not talking about the language dying, I'm talking about our language dying.

Discrimination and oppression will no longer be a problem. Culture - well, we'll be integrated with AB's, won't we? How can there still be a Deaf Culture in such a world? Deaf schools will die out; Deaf children will be integrated with AB's and taught in a mainstream classroom using BSL, perhaps with an interpreter voicing over for the benefit of the slower signers!

We will no longer need to campaign for recognition and Deaf Rights. We'll have them all on the proverbial platter.

So what do YOU think? Is that what it will be like in ten years time? Is this a realistic possibility, or am I scaremongering? All opinions on a postcard to the messageboard please!