Free BSL classes in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland will become the first part of the UK to provide free sign language classes to all deaf children and their families, through a new sign language law that was passed on Tuesday (26th April 2026).

The Sign Language Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025 will put a duty on the Department for Communities to provide free classes for deaf people under-25 and their close families, guardians, and carers.

Anthony Sinclair, who is profoundly deaf, said he is relieved after campaigners like him “had to fight for such a long time” for the law.

“We’re starting to see systemic change where we’re seen as equal and we really do look forward to feeling that respect for our language, our culture and our values.”

As the bill passed its final stage at the Northern Ireland Assembly, members of the deaf community, who filled the public gallery at Stormont, cheered and applauded as MLAs voted through the bill unanimously.

For more information about this, read the whole BBC News article