I was born to a profoundly deaf mother who taught me British Sign Language (BSL) from an early age. Without this, I would have had no way of communicating with her. However, not everyone has the same opportunity. In Northern Ireland, there is a significant lack of access to learning BSL and ISL in schools and the only alternative is expensive courses that are few and far between.

In Northern Ireland , there are approximately 3,500 who use BSL and 1,500 who use ISL as their main language according to the department of Communities NI. Yet despite this number, BSL and ISL is not widely taught in our educational institutions - particularly here in Northern Ireland where resources are even more limited.

This lack of accessibility not only isolates those who rely on BSL and ISL for communication but also limits opportunities for hearing individuals to learn this valuable skill and foster inclusivity within our communities.

We must change this situation by introducing BSL and ISL education into our school curriculum. This will provide all students with an equal opportunity to learn sign language without having to pay exorbitant fees for external courses.

Let's break down these barriers together and create a more inclusive society where everyone can communicate freely regardless of their hearing abilities or financial status. Please sign this petition today and help us bring about much-needed change.