For the first time, British Sign Language (BSL) is being embedded into a Board of Deputies consultation process.
The Board, which is working on identifying barriers facing members of the Jewish community with disabilities, has introduced BSL interpretation at every stage of its national call for evidence for their Commission on Disability Inclusion.
The commission aims to produce evidence-backed recommendations to improve the lives of those in the community living with a disability.
During the Commission process, deaf and hard of hearing participants will be able to watch BSL videos instead of reading text and are able to submit their own testimonies in BSL to the Commission, which will be interpreted to allow them to be fully considered alongside the other forms of evidence.
Reflecting the commission’s “commitment to recognising the diversity of Jewish life and experience”, the BSL interpretation has been created with the assistance of a Jewish BSL interpreter, both “ensuring that the content is not only accessible but also culturally sensitive and appropriate for the UK Jewish community”, said a spokesperson for the Board.
They added that the enhancement comes amid the groundbreaking work of the Commission in gathering testimony from across the community, which will help to shape future policy, guidance and communal practice to improve inclusion for disabled people and those who care for them.
The commission are encouraging a wide range of experiences to be submitted, including from individuals, synagogues, and communal organisations. Submissions can be made being made in multiple formats, including written responses, audio recordings, and now also BSL.
The call for evidence, which is open until the 20th of July, will then move onto a further consultation phase, which will take into account the new evidence received, helping to ensure that the Jewish community is an accessible space for all, said the Board.
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