AQW 51458/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 09/09/2026
Answered On Date: 25/09/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) when sign language classes for people under the age of 25, and their family and carers, will begin; and (ii) where these classes are to be held.

Answer:

The sign language classes for people under the age of 25, and their family and carers will commence on various dates in September 2026.The table below details where the classes are to be held, including when online where the participating families are from.

Organisation	Title of Course	Start Date	Location
National Deaf Children’s Society	Family Signing Home	September 2026	Online courses- with referrals currently from Dromore, Enniskillen and Downpatrick
British Deaf Association	Family Sign at Home	September 2026	Lurgan; Newtownabbey; Comber; Lisburn; Newtownabbey; Belfast; Crumlin; Derry; Newry
Action Deaf Youth	BSL for Deaf Children, Young People, Parents and Peers programme	September 2026	Ballyclare; Bangor; Belfast; Cookstown; Randalstown – other locations to be confirmed