AQW 17021/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 18/10/2024
Answered On Date: 11/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on his engagement with key stakeholders to develop a policy to inform the drafting of sign language legislation.

Answer:

My Department chairs and provides secretariat to the Sign Language Partnership Group which is a cross-departmental forum with representatives of the Deaf community which seeks to improve access to services for the Deaf community.

Through this role my officials have consulted extensively with the Deaf community, other key stakeholders and Executive departments to develop the policy which is currently informing the drafting of clauses for sign language legislation.

I have instructed my officials to continue this engagement with stakeholders, throughout the legislative process and beyond, to continuously improve access to services for our Deaf community.