After weeks of silence, the BSLBT has released an open letter to deaf filmmakers on Wednesday 7th July, which you can read and watch here:
https://www.bslzone.co.uk/latest/open-letter-deaf-tv-programme-makers-from-bslbt-board
The timing might have seemed strange to some, but we knew it was due to John Pring of Disability News Service contacting Tim Patterson, Chair of BSLBT, for his response to our petition and issues raised by other deaf filmmakers.
You can read John's article in full here, with contributions from Ted Evans (not affiliated with our petition), Erika Jones' UnMuted report, and Tim Patterson:
https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/increasing-dismay-of-deaf-film-makers-over-control-of-bsl-broadcasting-trust/
In both the open letter and the article, the BSLBT is represented by Tim Patterson, their chair. He is hearing and does not sign, along with their Chief Executive and their Head of Commissioning.
It's sad that Tim cannot see the irony in choosing to make himself the spokesperson and figurehead of the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust, and his quotes reveal his ongoing ignorance of the deaf community.
Having been on the BSLBT board in some capacity since 2013 and BSLBT chair for over a year, he is only now taking sign language lessons. We've looked at his LinkedIn profile and can't see what qualifications or experience he has to decide whether BSLBT's programming offers 'breadth and depth' to deaf viewers.
We see that the BSLBT intends to 'reflect' and 'discuss' but hasn't committed to any meaningful change.
According to the staff listed on the website, signing representation is unacceptably low. For decision-makers in commissioning, non-signers outnumber signers 2 to 1.
Only 41% of the organisation and around 30% of content advisors represent the deaf signing audience. The commissioning advisory panel is just that - advisory. Final decisions on commissions are made solely by hearing non-signers.
Can any deaf people working for the BSLBT speak on behalf of the organisation they work for? Are they allowed to?
We are reminded of the BSLBT's values in their 2019 annual report, which states: "We are Deaf and hearing people working together to achieve our goals."
Whose goals are these?
Let us know your thoughts.
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https://www.change.org/BritishSignLanguageBroadcastingTrustSignForChange
BSLBT Sign For Change