Northern Ireland approves free sign language classes for all deaf children

Northern Ireland is to become the first part of the UK to provide free sign language classes to all deaf children and their families.

The Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025, passed in law on Tuesday 28 April, sets out that the government will have to offer the classes for deaf people under 25, as well as their close family members, guardians, and carers.

It also means that public bodies will have to, "take reasonable steps to ensure that the sorts of information and services provided by it are as accessible to individuals in the deaf community, as to those individuals who are not in the deaf community".

The legislation will also give equal recognition of British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL).

The proposal was introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly in February last year, by communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who called the law being passed a "historic" day.

He said: "This landmark new law will send a clear signal that Deaf people and sign language users are valued members of our society.

"I join with the Deaf and deafblind signing community in celebrating this milestone."

The Department for Communities will be responsible for making sure this becomes a reality.

It's expected that providing the new classes and offering services like more translators and interpreters, will cost about £3m a year.

It is estimated that there are at least 5,000 people in Northern Ireland who use either BSL or ISL as their preferred way to communicate.

That includes Ellie-May, 14, who gave evidence to the Communities Committee as they scrutinised the bill back in February.

She told them what it was like at her post-primary school where she's one of only three deaf pupils, and how she would like to see more young people in school learn to sign.

"It is very tough because you're deaf and you're surrounded by hearing people at a mainstream school, and you have a lot to concentrate on," she said.

When the British Sign Language Act received Royal Assent in April 2022, it gave legal recognition of BSL as a language in England, Scotland and Wales.

It also created a duty for the government to report on progress towards greater promotion and use of sign language in government communication with the public.

But it does not automatically provide free, language classes for all families.