British Sign Language was recognised in law for England, Wales and Scotland.
The British Sign Language Act 2022 recognises BSL as a language of England, Wales and Scotland and creates duties around reporting, promotion, facilitation and guidance.
This matters because Deaf people's language rights are not just communication preferences. Language affects privacy, healthcare, education, work, public life and dignity.
Awareverse sees BSL recognition as part of the wider move from treating disabled people as service users to recognising identity, language and rights.
A common mistake is treating interpreters as optional help rather than access to equal participation.
Who had power here, who was left outside, and what would have changed if the human being was seen first?
These deep dives open out from this part of the timeline.