Implementing our British Sign Language Plan 2024-30
Theme 1: BSL Accessibility
Our aim is for BSL users to have access to the right information, at the right time, so that they can take full advantage of opportunities for learning, work and leisure, and get any help or advice that they need.
For each of the actions below, we've set milestones and highlighted any resource issues. We've also identified who will lead on delivering the action.
Read about the actions we're proposing for this theme
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Action |
Milestones with dates Phase 1: 2024-2026 |
Resource implications |
Lead Service Area; Lead Officer |
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1. Improve awareness and access to BSL/English interpretation via the Welcome application, through consideration of SignPort which is being developed by the Scottish Government and through updated information on the Council’s Interpretation and Translation Service. |
Pending Scottish Government launch and SignPort being established as social enterprise and implementation to enable commercial agreements to be set up. |
To be determined when operational requirements are known. Will include oversight/management of Council use and potential budget implications. |
Customer Contact Team Manager; Customer Services |
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Updated information on ITS – particularly on website and link with development of BSL information section on website. Phase one by 31 March 2025 |
Within existing resources. |
Customer Contact Team Manager; Customer Services |
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2. Explore the Council’s approach to signposting how to request information in BSL, as well as other languages and formats e.g. placement in documents |
Action under the Council’s Equalities Framework to improve inclusive communications with a focus on tools, support and guidance for service areas to ensure accessible communication with external customers. Target for framework to committee: Autumn 2024 |
Within existing staffing resources. Operational budgets will be required for production of BSL content to support this. |
Lead Officer – Equalities; Policy and Insight |
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By March 2025: Explore and cost production of BSL video to explain use consultation hub |
Potential cost of video production |
Senior Policy & Insight Officer; Policy and Insight |
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3. Improve the availability and quality of information about services, especially through BSL videos, alternative options for contacting the Council, and increase awareness through promotion. |
Available on website by 31 March 2025: BSL videos produced and available on website covering most frequently used online services/information:
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Customer Contact Team Manager; Customer Services |
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By March 2025 (NB dependent on top task BSl videos): Explore best practice of BSL on website; consideration of a BSL section on the Council’s website including top task BSl videos; set out action plan |
Within existing resources |
Web ICT Lead (Development); ICT/Digital Services |
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Ongoing to 2030: continue to identify opportunities to improve online content for BSL users across all Council managed websites including the main website, venue websites, visitor destination, and where possible on partnership websites such as employment/apprenticeship. |
To be determined |
Services areas |
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4. Improve the accessibility of information and support needed to vote by investigating the use of appropriate technology in contacting the Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer, and developing our Elections website pages to explain what support is available and what assistance including service animals, is allowed in polling places. |
UK General Election 4 July 2024: inclusion of Electoral Commission BSL videos and links to information in BSL and other formats on website. Promotion of assistance and support available in polling places – information on website and in social media. This activity will continue for future elections through life of of this BSL plan. |
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Elections & Members Services Manager |
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5. Explore the extension into further frontline services of the WelcoMe application which allows service users to request support, including BSL interpreters, in advance of attending offices. Currently in use in seven city-wide offices. |
Ongoing Currently available in Council locality offices and registrar’s office.
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Withing existing resources Budget implications for services that adopt application. |
Customer Contact Team Manager; Customer Services |
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6. Continue to provide and promote BSL and deaf awareness sessions available to staff through the online learning hub and other internal channels, and to members of the public via the Adult Learning Programme. |
By December 2024, create a playlist on the Council’s online learning hub (myLearning) to include new and existing resources. Regularly update the playlist when relevant resources have been identified – ongoing. |
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HR Consultant - Organisational Development; HR Services Wider Achievement Manager; Lifelong Learning |
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7. Improve support and access to information for deaf colleagues who use BSL. |
By 31 March 2025, revised reasonable adjustments toolkit to incorproate support for colleages with hearing impairments During 2024-2025, work with SPARC, the Council’s internal network for colleagues with disabilities and long-term health conditions, and with deaf colleagues to understand how we can best support them. Agree and implement actions as appropriate |
Within existing resources |
HR Consultant - Organisational Development; HR Services |
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8. Identify opportunities to signpost appropriate BSL and deaf awareness to colleagues and to our wider external audiences including service users. Use opportunities such as Deaf Awareness Week as notable dates to promote deaf awareness both internally and externally. |
Internal promotion of events including (examples):
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Within existing resources |
All services supported by HR and Communications |
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9. The Lifelong Learning service will investigate ways to create BSL translations for all the information published by Lifelong Learning.
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By 31 March 2025 Scope out improvements to website and other support information to incorporate BSL information ans signposting to support resources Implementation of phase 1 improvements – April-Dec 2025 |
Within existing staffing resources. Budget required for production of BSL content and support information. |
Wider Achievement Manager; Children, Education and Justice Services |
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10. Continue to review social media and other guidance on good practice communications, incorporating BSL guidance. |
Ongoing Multimedia accessibility guidance on Council’s intranet; continue development alongside the inclusive communications activity under Diversity Framework development. |
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Web ICT Lead (Dev); ICT/Digital Services Communications Manager; Communications Services |
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11. In the next development of the online committee reporting application, take cognisance of accessibility, including the needs of BSL users, where possible. |
Scoping and monitoring potential software solutions (some if which are still in testing/development); procurement – by 2026/2027. In interim explore opportunities to augment existing system wherever feasible – ongoing 2024-2-26 |
Within existing staffing resources. Budget requirement TBC. |
Head of Democracy, Governance & Resilience; Corporate Services |