Share

cover art for ACT NOW: Recognising British Sign Language in the UK

Reasons to be Cheerful with Ed Miliband & Geoff Lloyd

ACT NOW: Recognising British Sign Language in the UK

Season 1, Ep. 232

Hello! This week we're looking at the legislation passing through parliament which would have British Sign Language recognised as an official language in the UK. Eighty-seven thousand people in the UK say BSL is their preferred language, but they are discriminated against in everyday life, from using essential services to speaking to doctors, their local council or at work. 


To find out how this Bill could help make the UK more accessible to BSL users, we're joined by David Buxton, Chair of the British Deaf Association, Ben Fletcher, who was the first deafblind candidate for MP, and Chloe Smith MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.


Plus Ed reveals his missed opportunity is Silicon Valley. 


Email your comments, questions and episode ideas to reasons@cheerfulpodcast.com or at www.cheerfulpodcast.com and follow us on TwitterInstagramFacebook and LinkedIn


A full transcript of this episode is available on our website, and the interviews will be uploaded to our YouTube channel this week. 

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 23. CHATTEROO #21 England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight

    42:12
    Just in time for St George's Day, former Mili-gang members Marc Stears & Tom Baldwin join the Chatteroo to talk about their excellent new book 'England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight'Treat yourself to a copy - you deserve it! https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/england-9781526646231/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 22. CHATTEROO #20

    27:35
    Climate litigation in the 26 Cantons, the sense of smell in a digital world, Ed turns quizmaster, and your email.Throw us a chatty bone! What would you like to hear in the Chatteroo? chat@cheerfulpodcast.comPENGUINS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PwDFddpo4cCAN A WILD ANIMAL MAKE YOUR HOUSE FEEL LIKE A HOME? https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/can-wild-animal-make-your-house-feel-home?fbclid=PAAabIRLX2FP_IHykx-YjF75F2coLxbwYKDJv4U5NnMndw17bYa7qfcaQuxmQ_aem_AafVJaTzSreellMoKrLQZJrh5JYYNqpKYdJ7oZuPtj2iOQkJvm5zEvgI30s13GX9XTE
  • 21. CHATTEROO #19

    29:21
    We lament the passing of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and delve into the Chatteroo postbag.We'd love to hear from you - it's your Chatteroo, too: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 20. CHATTEROO #18 - Breaking The Habit(uation)

    54:10
    Neuroscientist and author Tali Sharot has joined the Chatteroo to talk about her excellent new book, 'Look Again - The Power of Noticing What Was Always There' (co-written with Cass R Sunstein.) It's the habituation sensation that's sweeping the nation.Email us! chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 19. CHATTEROO #17

    25:17
    Includes a Presidential belch, life lessons from toddlers, the grace of a giraffe, and the Village People.We need your email to fuel the Chatteroo! chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 18. CHATTEROO #16

    30:41
    The calm before the swarm, your email, and Ed shares his music lesson trauma.Email us! chat@cheerfulpodcast.comhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/mar/14/theres-joy-i-havent-felt-for-years-how-i-got-hooked-on-the-piano-craze
  • 17. CHATTEROO #15

    35:04
    A flurry of email prompted by last week's episode, plus cheerful nuggets from John Kerry's New York Times exit interview, the age at which jeans become inappropriate, and an Oscars-themed quiz.Send us an email: chat@cheerfulpodcast.comJohn Kerry: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/opinion/john-kerry-climate-change-china.html
  • 16. CHATTEROO #14

    33:13
    Voicenotes, lessons from the New England Patriots, your email, and our best quiz yet.Chat makes the world go round! We need your email - send us facts about hedgehogs, stories of sticking to your guns, rules for voice-note etiquette, ideas for quizzes, articles... anything you'd like to hear Ed turn his big ol' brain to: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
  • 15. CHATTEROO #13

    26:36
    Sad owl news, happy hedgehog news, and an encounter in the Portcullis House cafeteria queue. Plus, your email - send us more, please! chat@cheerfulpodcast.comLiebreich: Net Zero Will Be Harder Than You Think – And EasierPART 1: https://about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich-net-zero-will-be-harder-than-you-think-and-easier-part-i-harder/PART 2: https://about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich-net-zero-will-be-harder-than-you-think-and-easier-part-ii-easier/