Bulgarian Sign Language officially recognized

Bulgarian Sign Language Act unanimously supported / introduction of innovative Deaf Education practices to follow

21^st of January 2021 was a big day for the Bulgarian Deaf Community and especially to those who have worked hard in pushing the Bulgarian Sign Language Act through over the last couple of years: the Bulgarian Sign Language (BGSL) was finally recognized as an official language in Bulgaria.

Together with other leading Deaf-led organizations and the support of different universities, the Listen Up Foundation, which is supported by help alliance since 2019, heavily contributed to the long process of negotiation, advocacy work, preparation of texts, and communication to all involved parties. It all started with a first scientific research on the Bulgarian Sign Language from September 2016 to February 2018. Just three years later, thanks to joint efforts of the Deaf community and the Ministry of Education, the Bulgarian Sign Language is officially recognized.

The Deaf Community will now have all the rights that the new law gives them: to be able to teach Deaf children and students through Bulgarian Sign Language, to receive information through Bulgarian Sign Language and to be confident that they can always and everywhere use their language! However, the work has to continue with BGSL development work and the elaboration on BGSL educational resources. Once the Bulgarian Sign language is equal to the Bulgarian spoken language, opportunities for bilingual education for the Deaf will be initiated.

Historically, thousands of Deaf people in Bulgaria for generations were isolated and patronized, because the word is a force, and they did not have their own. With the adoption of this law, an injustice will be overcome. In kindergartens, schools, universities Deaf people will be able to study and teach Bulgarian Sign language. Sign language interpreting services will become easier accessible. But the most important thing is that the Bulgarian Sign language Act will give self-confidence to deaf people to cope with the challenges of the future, to be active, awake, curious and confident.

As help alliance we are proud that our partner organization ListenUp Foundation contributed to such an important achievement and that the Bulgarian Sign Language Act has become reality! Now it is the time to introduce innovative Deaf Education practices and to create further perspectives for Deaf people in Bulgaria. That is why we are supporting the project “Inclusion for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Youth” which is run by the Listen Up Foundation and will be carried out jointly with the Ministry of Education and Sofia University.