British Sign Language (BSL) Information Resources

This page contains a list of external links to helpful resources and videos for British Sign Language (BSL) users, covering a range of different topics.  

Please note: This is a development page. All external links open in a new window. The information and details provided on external websites may be subject to changes and is not the responsibility of Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice. 

 

What is BSL?

British Sign Language (BSL) is a form of sign language, primarily used by individuals who are Deaf or have hearing impairments. BSL is a visual-spatial language that involves hand shapes, facial expressions, lip patterns, and body language. BSL is used by over 87,000 people in the UK and many more around the world. However, BSL is not a universal language, much like spoken language, it varies by region and country.  

  

BSL LINKS, INFORMATION & REFERENCES 

We have even BSL advice on Benefit, Coronavirus, PIP, and more, available on our YouTube page BSL playlists.

Communication Technology: 

• Sign Live - https://signlive.co.uk/ 
• Sign Video - https://www.signvideo.co.uk/ 

 

Benefits

• Universal Credit - We’ve partnered with SignVideo to provide better access to our Help to Claim service for the Deaf BSL community.
  

Work  

If you’re deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL), the Royal Association for Deaf people provides (https://royaldeaftax.org.uk/): 

• webcam appointments with their tax adviser 
• a video interpreting service 
• BSL-captioned video clips linked to HMRC guidance 

If you need face-to-face help, e.g. through a BSL interpreter or an audio induction loop, you can arrange to visit an HMRC adviser (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tools/visits/visit-request.htm) 

 Family  

• BSL Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/deaf-zone/bsl-videos/ 
• National Deaf Children's Society https://www.ndcs.org.uk/ 
•  

Health  

•  NHS 111 BSL Service  https://interpreternow.co.uk/nhs111 
•  Sign Health (covers issues from depression to cancer) https://signhealth.org.uk/health-video-library/ 
•  Action on Hearing Loss  https://actiononhearingloss.org.uk/information-and-support/hearing-loss/living-with-hearing-loss/ 
• 4Sight Vision Support (offers emotional support, signposting, telephone befriending, transcription services)  https://www.escis.org.uk/health/4sight-vision-support/  

 Police  

• Sussex Pegasus Scheme - If you have speech or communication difficulties:  https://westsussex.local-offer.org/services/1032   
• Contacting Sussex Police via the text service  https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/contact-us/sus/accessible-contact/#:~:text=When%20you%20send%20a%20text%20to%2065999%2C%20please,emergency%20is%20the%20exact%20location%20of%20the%20emergency  

Scam awareness advice in BSL - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mowmOlOfeaQ 

Coronavirus (COVID 19) leaflet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSc8SvAhaHo&feature=youtu.be