Proposal toboost language ofsign

A plan to help develop the use of British Sign Language (BSL) was given the go ahead by councillors.

A proposed shared Lanarkshire draft plan went before members of South Lanarkshire Council’s executive committee.

Scotland’s first BSL national plan was published last October and covers all public bodies including councils.

A council report said: “The shared BSL plan for Lanarkshire has been developed in partnership with North and South Lanarkshire councils and NHS Lanarkshire and reflects the long-term goals of Scotland’s national plan. It sets out the actions we will take from 2018 to 2024.”

The plan aims to improve communication and access to services for people who use BSL and promote the use of and understanding of BSL across the council’s areas.

It goes on to say four local organisations who represent deaf and deafblind people in Lanarkshire were invited to work in partnership with the local authorities and the health board when drawing up the plan.