Alison Hendry is the British Sign Language (BSL) Development Officer for the University of Edinburgh, the role being the first of its kind in any Scottish higher education institution to date. She oversees the implementation of the University’s first-ever BSL Plan, working to promote the use and understanding of BSL as a language throughout the university. Alison has previously worked in deaf organisations, advocating for better and improved societal access and inclusion for Deaf and Deafblind people, and has been heavily involved with the workings of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015. Alison co-authored a publication about deaf Scottish students’ access in further and higher education, published in 2020 (“I was isolated and this was difficult”: Investigating the communication barriers to inclusive further/higher education for deaf Scottish students). She is a Deaf BSL user and will be working with a BSL/English interpreter during her session. Alison will be accompanied by her hearing dog.

British Sign Language at the University of Edinburgh and beyond

This presentation will provide more information about the University of Edinburgh’s British Sign Language (BSL) Plan and that impact it has had on the institution since its implementation in 2018. Looking at BSL as a language in its own right, the presentation will demonstrate examples of how this has been embedded into the University’s policies, as well as reiterating the importance of inclusion for those whose first or preferred language is BSL. As the British Sign Language Development Officer at Edinburgh, this is the first role of its kind within further and higher education within Scotland as well as the UK and Alison will share key milestones of the project and achievements in this presentation.

The BSL Plan was developed following the passing of the BSL (Scotland) Act in 2015, which places a responsibility on listed public bodies in Scotland to ensure that their services are more accessible for BSL users. For the university this includes: increased awareness of BSL as a language; supporting staff and students to partake in learning BSL; ensuring students are supported in every step of their journey during their time at university; provision of key information translated into BSL by producing video or booking BSL/English interpreters for key events; and many more.

Including BSL-users in the implementation and delivery of the BSL Plan is of utmost importance as they are the key drivers in ensuring that the university is working with the responsibilities that has been laid before them due to legislation. Internal and external factors have led to the profile of BSL being raised and the university is proud to be part of a cohort leading the way in improving services for BSL users.