Tom Gordon raises British Sign Language in Parliament as part of Sign Language Week
Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP highlights the importance of sign as a form of language, heritage and identity with an Early Days Motion in Parliament, championing allyship, inclusion and visibility for and with the Deaf Community.
Tom joined local Councillor Josie Caven, who is deaf, as she campaigns for increased awareness of the need for sign language. She said: “I am incredibly proud to serve as a councillor, be a mother and a friend, but above all, I am proud to be a Deaf person. Sharing the deep pride my community has in our culture and the rich history of our sign language is a momentous occasion, especially during this Sign Language Week.”
Sign Language Week highlights the important ongoing work of charities like the British Deaf Association and National Deaf Children’s Society as they advocate for sign language rights and provide direct support to children and families.
Tom Gordon MP said:
“I’m proud to join Josie and these wonderful charities as they raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the lives of 151,000 individuals utilising it in the UK. There are real barriers faced by the Deaf community and worrying implications of denying Deaf children access to sign language resulting in language deprivation.
Sign as a form of language carries a rich heritage and identity for the Deaf community. With every new BSL word I learn from Josie, I’m also learning about things like left and right-handed signing, slang and accents. We’re currently looking up the Yorkshire sign for ‘eyup!’.”
The Early Days Motion won’t be officially tabled until next sitting day (23/03/2026), when it will be listed on the parliamentary website. The text of the motion can be found below:
That this House celebrates Sign Language Week, held from 16th to 22nd March 2026; welcomes this year’s theme ‘United in Sign’ celebrating unity, pride, and collective action around sign language; notes the importance of sign as a form of language, heritage and identity for the deaf community; recognises the importance of allyship, for inclusion and visibility; notes that an estimated 151,000 individuals utilise the language in the UK; recognises barriers faced by the deaf community in an oral centred world and the implications of denying Deaf children access to sign language resulting in language deprivation.
