So the UK Government refused to provide a BSL interpreter for their briefings citing ‘limited space’ in Downing St, but when #DominicCummings needs to deliver a statement, they’re able to move location to the Rose Garden.

Their argument is deeply flawed.

#WhereIsTheInterpreter https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1264917217185083392
This, together with some briefings only involving two podiums, means this part of the Government’s argument does not hold up to scrutiny. If they can change location for Cummings, why can’t they change location for the deaf people calling for an in-person BSL interpreter?
After refusing to provide an interpreter at No.10 due to ‘limited space’, the Govt. later mentioned that the BBC News feed was being shared with other channels.

The BBC are doing a great job, but this is why deaf campaigners are calling on the Govt. to provide access direct. 👇 https://twitter.com/liamodelluk/status/1264942978180751362
The Govt. says they have ‘limited space’ in No.10 for an interpreter, but relocate for Cummings.

They mention the BBC’s signed feed, and how the Beeb have said they will share it with other channels.

Cummings’ statement had no BSL access.

Where does that leave #deaf people?
This isn’t the first time it’s happened either. The timings of the PM’s lockdown announcement meant it wasn’t signed by BBC News 24.

So, to the hearing people who keep tweeting me about the BBC’s provision, this is why we’re calling on the Government to provide direct access.
The BBC News channel have done a great job of providing BSL access, but there shouldn’t be just one channel which deaf people need to use to access information.

To those who say ‘watch BBC News’, what would you say today, when there was no access at all? #WhereIsTheInterpreter
You can follow @LiamODellUK.
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