Sign Language Week 2026
Become a BSL Ally
British Sign Language connects families, builds confidence, and strengthens communities. This Sign Language Week, you can stand alongside Deaf people across the UK by becoming a BSL Ally.
Donate £10 or more and receive a BSL Ally pin badge as a symbol of your support for sign language, Deaf culture, and equal access to language.
Wear it proudly and help start conversations about why BSL matters.
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BSL Ally badge
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What is a BSL Ally?
A BSL Ally is someone who recognises the importance of British Sign Language and stands with Deaf communities.
By becoming a BSL Ally, you show that you believe in:
- Equal access to language
- Celebrating Deaf culture & identity
- A future where Deaf children can grow up with BSL
Signature
We recommend learning through Signature, the UK’s leading awarding body for Deaf communication and language qualifications. Signature-accredited courses are widely recognised and ensure high-quality, consistent standards of BSL teaching.
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SIGN LANGUAGE WEEK 2025
About
Sign Language Week holds immense significance for the BDA, particularly this year as we launch our #TakingBSLForward civil rights movement. The week serves as a crucial opportunity to garner support for our mission and act as a platform to launch our 'Early Years’ position statement.
As the 'National Representative Organisation of British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) in the UK,' our responsibility is to 'Promote, Preserve and Protect' BSL and ISL. Our national sign languages have faced marginalisation for over a century at the hands of the hearing majority—teachers, doctors, politicians—who relentlessly promoted oralism, denying Deaf children access to sign language and resulting in damaging language deprivation.
BSL stands as the fourth most widely used indigenous language in the UK, with an estimated 151,000 individuals utilising the language.
BSL will be available soon
We're still making preparations for this year's Sign Language Week and will update the website regularly in the run-up to March. Thank you for your patience.