Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service ...

5.2.1 Linguistic approachIn all of the countries included in this review, there is recognition that the Deafcommunity is a linguistic minority whose needs can be described in terms of ashared language and culture, rather than in terms of deafness, i.e. an inability tohear. The Deaf community worldwide, represented through the World Federationof the Deaf, continues to lobby on the basis of Deaf people's linguistic need, andis using the new European Human Rights legislation to support this stance.It is generally accepted within the Deaf Community, that in order for progress tobe made in acknowledging the rights of Deaf people, there first needs to berecognition of the country's sign language. The country most admired in thisregard has been Finland, where Finnish Sign Language (FSL) has been officiallyrecognised in legislation since 1995, and Deaf people have the right to use FSL astheir language of choice and to access interpreting services. This has led toservices that are government funded, with each Deaf person being allocated aminimum number of interpreting hours (currently 120 per year), which can beused as the Deaf person chooses. Recognition of FSL as a language has also led tobilingual education being provided to Deaf children as a right, with parents able toreceive free tuition in FSL.In New Zealand, recognition of NZSL is still going through parliament. TheHonourable Ruth Dyson, Minister for Disability Issues, addressed parliament inApril 2004 and pointed out that:“The immediate effect of this Bill, once it has passed into law, will be to providepeople with the right to use NZ Sign Language in any legal proceedings,including court.”This judgement will enable a rollout of development in provision, as the cabinethas also agreed to look at ways to improve access to NZSL in education, health,employment, public broadcasting, and access for Maori Deaf people. There is alsoa commitment to provide access to government services and information in NZSL,wherever practicable.The official recognition of BSL in England, Scotland and Wales (2003) and parallelrecognition of BSL and ISL in Northern Ireland (2004) was the first significantpublic policy step in the UK which identified sign language users as a languageminority rather than as a disability group.5.2.2 Disability approachIn England (and the rest of the UK) traditionally, deafness has been regarded as amedical disability, with educational and welfare systems and related legislationand services (which include interpreting) put in place to reflect this perspective.Examples of this can be found in the National Assistance Act, 1948, ChronicallySick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, Mental Health Act 1983, Disabled PersonsAct 1986, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice), Access toWork (Job Centre Plus Scheme). Responsibility for providing access under thisand other legislation can lie with government agencies, local authorities or otherservice providers. A recent example of this approach and associated legislation ispage 86 • Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland