Dawn Butler MP is urging viewers to tune in to her political slot on Channel 4 later this month as she raises the importance of British Sign Language (BSL).
The Brent Central MP is presenting her own edition of The Political Slot after the Channel 4 news at 7.55pm on October 16th.
The transmission was due to take place this evening (Wednesday) but it has been postponed due to all broadcasters transmitting an important Disaster Emergency Committee appeal about Rohingya people seeking refuge in Bangladesh from violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
The Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities is using her political slot to give British Sign Language full legal status through a BSL Act.
She will be appearing alongside Asif Iqbal, president of Brent and Harrow United Deaf Club, and Wayne Barrow, a TV presenter and campaigner well known for signing songs in BSL.
She said: “I am delighted to present my very own Political Slot to raise awareness for some of the issues facing the deaf community and the importance of giving British Sign Language full legal status, through a BSL Act in parliament.”
Ms Butler was recently nominated for the Patchwork Foundation’s MP of the Year Award 2017 in part due to her work in support of the deaf community.
In March this year she became the first MP to ever use sign in the House of Commons using BSL when she pressed the government on whether it would give BSL full legal status as is afforded to other languages, which would give it further protection.
She added: “It is absolutely vital that we take strong action to end the inequality facing deaf people which is why I am delighted that the Labour Party has committed to introducing a BSL Act.
“I am also fully supportive of the petition, started by my friend Wayne Barrow, to make British Sign Language part of the National Curriculum.
“I encourage everyone to tune into Channel 4 on Mondayday October 16 at 7.55pm and watch the Political Slot to learn more, and get behind this vital campaign to give BSL full legal status.”
To sign Wayne Barrow’s petition to make BSL part of the National Curriculum click here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here