Rose Ayling-Ellis is urging England to give sign language legal status – an implementation she said would be ‘so emotional’ for the deaf community.
The EastEnders actress, 27, who was Strictly Come Dancing’s first deaf contestant and winner, has voiced fears of the country’s current situation, which often sees deaf children receive serious diagnoses from their doctor without a translator.
Scotland is the first of the four nations to enshrine the language law – but the soap star, gracing the front of The Big Issue, is campaigning for the same down south.
Making a change: Rose Ayling-Ellis said it would be ‘so emotional’ for the deaf community if sign language was given legal status – as she fronted The Big Issue with her campaign
The British Sign Language (Scotland) Act came into force in October 2015 and means public bodies have an obligation to provide interpreters for deaf people using services like the NHS and education.
As part of the Strictly champ’s campaigning, she is backing West Lancashire Labour MP Rosie Cooper’s Private Members’ bill that aims to declare BSL an official language with rights attached as it goes to its second reading in the House of Commons on January 28.
Last week, the Frankie Lewis actress told This Morning: ‘I have heard so many stories about deaf people going to a doctor, they ask for an interpreter, and they don’t refer them an interpreter, so they end up needing their child to translate, or a family member.
Campaigning: The EastEnders actress, 27, who was Strictly Come Dancing’s first deaf contestant and winner, has voiced fears of the country’s current situation, which often sees deaf children receive serious diagnoses from their doctor without a translator
‘That shouldn’t be. Because it’s not an official language, we can’t do anything about it.’
At present, the only requirement for a qualified interpreter in England is in the court system.
During this week’s interview with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield alongside Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice, Phillip pointed out that the Google search for British Sign Language was up by 488 per cent and added Rose had inspired a whole range of people.
Fight: During this week’s interview with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield alongside Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice (pictured), Phillip pointed out that the Google search for British Sign Language was up by 488 per cent
Speaking out: She said: ‘I think that’s amazing because sign language needs to be more appreciated, it’s got such a rich history’
She said: ‘I think that’s amazing because sign language needs to be more appreciated…
‘It’s got such a rich history. The first record of …….