BSL Bill (Wales) may not proceed.

ATR has received information from the welsh assembly regarding clarification of online BDA and other UK deaf blog and social media claims, Wales has adopted a BSL Bill, this is not true.

Dear ATR.

We’ve received a response from Welsh Government regarding your query. Please find below.

A British Sign Language (BSL) Bill has not been formally introduced or passed by the Senedd. 

On 24 February 2021, the Senedd debated a legislative proposal from Mark Isherwood MS for a British Sign Language (BSL) Bill. Debates in the Senedd are based on ‘motions’.  The motion in the debate asked Members to note a proposal for a Bill to encourage the use of BSL in Wales and improve access to education and services in BSL.  The specific wording of the motion can be found here.

The Senedd approved the motion.  37 Members voted in favour.  No Members voted against the motion and 15 Members abstained. The breakdown of the vote by individual Member can be found here. 

[Note currently there are 60 members, but post next election this may be less this raises further issues.)

"Can the proposal be challenged/removed? (ATR had raised clarification issues regarding signed educational approaches, but not general access to BSL, because there were grey areas that were not identified, and there was a lack of research done by the Senedd member Mr Isherwood, who apparently just cut and paste from BDA  Bill in Scotland.

There is no available mechanism to remove a Member’s proposal approved by the Senedd.  However, the Senedd approving this motion does not automatically mean that a BSL Bill will be introduced to the Senedd or that the Senedd would necessarily support such Bill.

For a Senedd Member outside the Welsh Government to formally introduce a Bill to the Senedd, the proposal must generally be chosen from a ballot.  The process is summarised here.  

The Senedd’s website lists current proposals awaiting the next ballot.  The list does not contain a proposal for a BSL Bill.

The next Senedd general election is scheduled for 6 May 2021.  

The motion approved by the Senedd on 24 February will not be binding on the newly elected Senedd. 

If I can be of any further assistance please don’t hesitate to get back in touch.

Best wishes,

Bronwen Jones

Case Worker/Gweithiwr Achos

ATR:  Many Thanks Bronwen.

R U Having and Identity crisis?

 What’s an Identity Crisis and Could You Be Having One?

Are you questioning who you are? Maybe what your purpose is, or what your values are? If so, you may be going through what some call an identity crisis. The term “identity crisis” first came from developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst Erik Erikson. He introduced the ideas of adolescent identity crises as well as midlife crises, believing that personalities developed by resolving crises in life.

If you’re experiencing an identity crisis, you may be questioning your sense of self or identity. This can often occur due to big changes or stressors in life, or due to factors such as age or advancement from a certain stage (for example, school, work, or childhood). Here’s what you need to know about identity crises, if you might be having one, and what you can do.

Symptoms of an identity crisis

Having an identity crisis isn’t a diagnosable condition, so there aren’t typical “symptoms,” as with a cold or flu. Instead, here are the signs you may be experiencing an identity crisis:

You’re questioning who you are — overall or with regards to a certain life aspect such as relationships, age, or career.

You’re experiencing great personal conflict due to the questioning of who you are or your role in society.

Big changes have recently occurred that have affected your sense of self, such as a divorce.

You’re questioning things such as your values, spirituality, beliefs, interests, or career path that have a major impact on how you see yourself.

You’re searching for more meaning, reason, or passion in your life.

It’s completely normal to question who you are, especially since we change throughout our lives. However, when it begins to affect your daily thinking or functioning, you may be having a crisis of identity.

Is it something more serious?

Any type of crisis can also result in a decline in your mental health.

Viewing yourself or your life negatively has been shownTrusted Source to be a marker for vulnerability to depression. If you have any signs of depression, consider seeking help. You should seek help immediately if they’re accompanied by suicidal thoughts.

Symptoms of depression can include:

ed mood or feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

loss of interest in things once enjoyed

fatigue

irritability

changes in appetite or weight

issues with concentration, energy levels, motivation, and sleep

Causes of an identity crisis

Although often thought of as happening at certain ages (for instance, in teens or during “midlife crises”), an identity crisis can happen to anyone, of any age, at any point in one’s life.

Oftentimes, identity crises or other mental health issues can arise due to major life stressors. These stressors don’t have to be inherently bad, but they can still cause a lot of stress, which makes you question who you are and what you value.

Stressors can include:

getting married

getting divorced or separated

moving

experiencing a traumatic event

losing a loved one

losing or getting a job

new health issues

These and other stressors can certainly have an impact on your daily life and how you see yourself.

ATR: We can well understand those who lose hearing suffering trauma have issues, but it doesn't explain losing your identity just losing a sense.  You are the same person except you don't hear.

SOURCE OF SUPPORT

Deaf Culture according to Wiki.

Language acquisition by deaf children: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Language acquisition is a natural process in which infants and children develop proficiency in the first language or languages that they are exposed to. 

(so if they are exposed to oral and speech they will acquire that?).

The process of language acquisition is varied among deaf children. Deaf children born to deaf parents are typically exposed to sign language at birth and their language acquisition following a typical developmental timeline. However, at least 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents who use a spoken language at home. 

(Less than point 2% of parents of deaf children ARE deaf).

Hearing loss prevents many deaf children from hearing spoken language to the degree necessary for language acquisition. For many deaf children, language acquisition is delayed until the time that they are exposed to a sign language or until they begin using amplification devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. 

Deaf children who experience delayed language acquisition, sometimes called language deprivation, are at risk for lower language and cognitive outcomes.

(They also remain reliant on 3rd parties for life acquiring sign too).

The planet's most discriminated against.

 

The price of inclusion? the acceptances of diversity?  the Human Rights conundrum?  Maybe we should start marching against people who support the above view.   Since when do minorities rule us all?