Title: Enhancing BSL Accessibility in Department for Business and Trade Communications Over the Next Five Years

This plan sets out how the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) intends to improve the use of British Sign Language (BSL) in its communications over the next five years. It is designed to ensure that our information is accessible, clear, and inclusive for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, as well as for businesses and the public who rely on BSL to access important content.

Overview and Principles
The DBT recognises that effective communication is foundational to public trust and service delivery. Our plan centres on three core principles:
– Accessibility by default: BSL should be integrated into our communications unless there is a compelling reason not to.
– Clarity and quality: BSL interpretations and captions must be accurate, professionally produced, and easy to understand.
– Accountability and continuous improvement: Progress will be monitored, evaluated, and openly reported.

Key Goals for the Next Five Years
1) Uplift the availability of BSL content
– Increase the number of official public-facing materials provided with BSL interpretation or subtitles, including speeches, press releases, policy briefings, and digital content.
– Expand BSL offerings for multimedia channels, ensuring compatible formats across all platforms (web, social media, and events).

2) Improve the quality and consistency of BSL interpretation
– Partner with qualified BSL interpreters and agencies to ensure high-quality, culturally appropriate rendering.
– Standardise briefing materials and scripts to support interpreters, reducing errors and improving consistency across communications.
– Implement a rigorous review process for BSL content, including post-release audits and user feedback channels.

3) Strengthen internal processes and capability
– Train staff and communicators on BSL basics and inclusive communication practices to enhance collaboration with Deaf communities.
– Create a dedicated BSL liaison function within the department to coordinate requests, quality assurance, and supplier engagement.
– Develop internal templates and checklists to ensure BSL considerations are embedded in the planning of all public communications.

4) Enhance digital accessibility
– Ensure all DBT websites and digital products meet or exceed recognised accessibility standards for sign language content, including captioning, sign-language video inserts, and easy navigation to BSL resources.
– Introduce on-demand BSL interpretation for key services and events, with reliable delivery timelines and access to a range of sign language styles where appropriate.

5) Engage with Deaf communities and stakeholders
– Establish ongoing consultation forums with Deaf organisations, educators, and user groups to gather feedback, test materials, and co-create content.
– Run pilot initiatives in priority policy areas to refine BSL delivery and demonstrate impact.
– Publish an annual report detailing progress, challenges, and outcomes, plus case studies illustrating how improved BSL access has helped stakeholders.

6) Governance, policy, and procurement
– Embed BSL accessibility into departmental policies and procurement criteria, ensuring suppliers meet minimum standards for captioning, interpretation, and delivery.
– Maintain a robust governance framework to monitor adherence to commitments, with clear accountability and escalation paths for issues.

Implementation Milestones
– Year 1: Establish BSL liaison function; audit current materials; begin systematic tagging of content for BSL; launch pilot projects in two policy areas.
– Year 2: Scale up BSL production capacity; roll out internal training for staff; publish first annual BSL accessibility report; implement digital accessibility improvements.
– Year 3: Expand BSL resources to all major public communications channels; deepen community engagement; refine guidelines and templates.
– Year 4: Achieve consistent BSL coverage across most public-facing content; broaden interpreter networks; integrate feedback mechanisms into standard operating procedures.
– Year 5: Review outcomes, share best practices, and set the next phase of accessibility goals; demonstrate measurable improvements in public engagement and comprehension.

Measurement and Accountability
– Quantitative targets: percentage of communications with BSL interpretation or captions; number of new BSL-supported resources per year; turnaround times for interpreter services.
– Qualitative feedback: user satisfaction surveys, stakeholder forums, and case studies.
– Reporting: annual public report outlining progress, lessons learned, and plans for the following year.

Risks and Mitigations
– Resource constraints: secure dedicated budget for BSL services and build scalable partnerships with reputable providers.
– Consistency challenges: standardise processes, invest in staff training, and implement a clear quality assurance framework.
– Technological barriers: prioritise accessible platforms, maintain compatibility across devices, and continually assess new technologies.

Conclusion
The DBT is committed to making its communications more inclusive and accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences by elevating the role of BSL in our public materials. Over the next five years, we will embed BSL into our everyday practice, strengthen partnerships with the Deaf community, and provide reliable, high-quality interpretation and captioning across all major channels. This plan is a living framework: we will listen, learn, and adapt to ensure that essential information reaches everyone, in a way that is clear, respectful, and equitable.

August 13, 2026 at 12:01AM
政策文件：英国手语（BSL）五年计划：商务与贸易部
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-sign-language-5-year-plan-department-for-business-and-trade
本计划阐述了商务与贸易部在未来五年内提升其沟通中BSL使用的具体举措。

阅读更多中文内容： 提升商务与贸易部在未来五年的无障碍沟通：以布尔斯语（BSL）为核心的战略规划