BATOD and the RCSLT and, on behalf of the Inclusive Parliament coalition made up of 30+ organisations, continue to campaign for a more inclusive and accessible UK Parliament for signers and people with communication disabilities, difficulties, or differences.
When we gave oral evidence to the Modernisation Committee – a cross-party group of MPs that considers reforms to the House of Commons procedures, standards, and working practices – we were delighted to hear Committee members recognise how the style of parliamentary debates can exclude the people we represent and the wider impact this can have.
The then Committee Chair, Lucy Powell, commented:
“As our national Parliament, we really are not in any way a standard bearer for accessibility. Many Members of Parliament, staff members and people who want to access the Commons and Parliament are unable to do so, because of our physical accessibility, our language, our procedures …”
Committee member, Sarah Coombes, commented:
“The way we behave in the Chamber and what the public see on TV matters a lot, and it has much wider implications than just that room.”
As the Committee moves towards publishing its report, we look forward to it recommending action in the following areas, to address the issues that the Inclusive Parliament coalition has highlighted in both its oral and written evidence:
- The physical estate
- Adjustments for MPs
- Procedure and practice
- Accessible information
- Parliamentary language, activity and behaviour