British Deaf Association

National Representative Organisation of British Sign Language and the Deaf community in Scotland.

Founded in 1890, the British Deaf Association (BDA) is the UK’s only official national representative organisation of British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) also used in Northern Ireland. We hold international status as an Ordinary Member of the World Federation of the Deaf (a United Nations consultative organisation) since 1957 and a member of the European Union of the Deaf (a participatory member of the Council of Europe) since its foundation in 1985. Our BDA Youth sub-committee are members of the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section and European Union of the Deaf Youth, representing young Deaf people in the UK.   

As a Deaf-led membership charity, led and represented by Deaf people for Deaf people, we campaign and advocate for equal rights to fully participate and contribute to society as equal and valued citizens. We have a base in all nations across the UK with offices in London, Derby, Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff. 

Aims:

Our Mission is to ensure a world in which the language, culture, community, diversity and heritage of Deaf people in the UK is respected and fully protected, ensuring that Deaf people can participate and contribute as equal and valued citizens in the wider society.

Many Deaf people who use BSL lack access to education, health services, employment and other public services. Our work is designed to empower Deaf people and to improve access to general information and public services. We seek to achieve this by working with Deaf people at the local level through setting up forums to lobby public bodies and supporting Deaf people individually.

This is in line with the overall BDA objectives, which are: Deaf Equality, Access and Freedom of choice

Services provided:

  • Youth activities
  • BSL Training
  • Advocacy
  • Community development
  • Community campaigning
  • Membership.

local groups:

The Glasgow office is based at:
Suite 58 – Central Chambers
93 Hope Street
Glasgow G2 6LD

Telephone:- 0141 248 5565

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm.

Address

BDA, St Johns Deaf Community Centre
258 Green Lanes
London
N4 2HE
United Kingdom

Phone: 0207 697 4140
Website: http://www.bda.org.uk
Email: avril.hepner@bda.org.uk
Minicom: 07795 410 724 (SMS - Facetime)

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