Implementing our British Sign Language Plan 2024-30
Theme 6: Transport
Our aim is for BSL users to have safe, fair and inclusive access to public transport, and the systems that support transport across the city.
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. Draft action (to be finalised and agreed by the Accessibility Commission): Meaningful engagement will be undertaken to support the design of public streets and spaces, taking account of the communication needs of BSL users. In communicating about the city’s public streets and spaces, we will make sure the Council selects the appropriate accessible formats and channels to communicate with disabled people (e.g. Easy Read, BSL) informed by Integrated Impact Assessments. |
By end 2025: A scoping exercise on the Council’s current guidance and support for Inclusive Communications will be undertaken Sept 24 to May 25. Actions informed by the findings will be established and, where appropriate, incorporated into the Equality and Diversity Framework March 2026. An implementation plan will be delivered, based on the above.
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Funding and staffing requirements - tbc
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Lead Officer – Equalities, Policy and Insight |
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2. Engage with BSL users to extend BSL communication about public transport, for example, by using digital screens on buses and in bus shelters to welcome people to Edinburgh in BSL and point them to where they can get help. Context: There are currently 322 locations in the city with bus trackers (digital screens) and this will increase to 430, covering 20% of shelters in Edinburgh |
By March 2025: restart pilot of signage re departures on digital screens To date, we’ve engaged with Signapse AI (a company promoted by bus tracker contractors) to develop and test signage re departures on screen; plans to trial on Princes Street and in the bus station have been put on hold while wider issues with the development of the tracker are resolved.
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Staffing - within existing resources Costs of BSL signage and pilot tbc |
Transport Officer, Place
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3. Explore options for including screens which give instructions in BSL at payment points for trams. |
Explore possibilities by March 2025
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Staffing - within existing resources Costs of BSL signage – to be identified |
Transport Officer, Place
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