British Sign Language: national plan 2023 to 2029 - easy read

Democratic participation – getting involved in politics and making decisions by voting

Make sure public services give people what they need to make their lives better.

Big changes are needed to the ways that policies and services are developed and put in place.

Our long-term goal

BSL users will be fully involved in democratic and public life in Scotland:

• as citizens
• as voters
• as elected politicians
• as board members of our public bodies

Board members look at the work an organisation is doing and check it is working well.

Actions

We will:

43. Make information that supports BSL users to take part in democratic life.

44. Work with COSLA and the Scottish Parliament to find what makes it difficult for BSL users to get support in politics for example when they want to be a councillor or MSP.

Find ways to make this better including using what we have learned from the Access to Elected Office fund.

45. Make sure there is BSL support in election campaigns and the election process.

This will make sure BSL users have all the information they need so they can make decisions.