°Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï

---

Progress and impact in the last 12 months

During this reporting period, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has focused on increasing awareness of British Sign Language (BSL) across the department and improving how teams consider BSL in communications and policy work.

A significant area of progress has been raising awareness and building capability. In autumn 2025, the department ran a BSL briefing session for all staff. The session was attended by around 80 colleagues from across communications, policy and corporate functions. It covered the role of BSL, relevant legal and policy context, and practical guidance on when and how to use BSL in communications. This has helped improve teams’ understanding of BSL as a distinct language and encouraged them to consider BSL earlier in their planning processes.

Alongside this, we have continued work to promote clearer routes for commissioning BSL translations, including signposting available suppliers and existing internal support. This has contributed to a more consistent approach and reduced perceived barriers to using BSL.

We have also continued to increase the availability of BSL content across our communications. This includes BSL translations of selected public-facing materials and digital content where there is clear benefit to Deaf users. Work with agencies and public bodies has supported this, particularly in relation to user-facing services and guidance.

For example, the Office of the Public Guardian produced a BSL version of its new customer video on remissions and exemptions (financial support) for Lasting Powers of Attorney. Using feedback from previous BSL videos, the team translated their script into Easy Read before submitting it for BSL translation, to ensure clarity when dealing with legal terminology and improved accessibility of the translation.

These actions align with the commitments set out in MOJ’s 5-year BSL strategy, particularly in relation to awareness, accessibility and capability building. While measurement is still developing, early feedback suggests improved confidence among staff in considering BSL and a more consistent approach to accessibility. This contributes to improving access to justice information for Deaf BSL users.

Priorities for the next 12 months

Over the next 12 months, MOJ will continue to build on this progress by further embedding consideration of BSL into communications and policy development.

Priority areas will include increasing the use of BSL in high-impact public communications, particularly on °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï and in campaigns, and improving the discoverability of existing BSL content. The department will continue to encourage teams to consider BSL needs at an early stage of planning and decision-making.

We will also continue to strengthen capability across the department by promoting guidance, sharing best practice and working with internal networks and cross-government partners. This includes building on existing engagement with disability networks and the Cabinet Office Disability Unit.

Work will continue with our agencies and public bodies to support the delivery of their planned BSL activity, particularly in relation to user-facing services. We will further promote clear and proportionate processes for commissioning BSL translations to ensure teams can access support efficiently.

These priorities reflect a continued focus on practical and achievable improvements, aligned with our original 5-year BSL strategy, and will support a more consistent and effective approach to BSL across the department.