Can I take this opportunity to thank my colleague Mark Isherwood for bringing forward this incredibly important British Sign Language Bill? I echo my colleague Sam Rowlands's words that Mark has been a true pioneer and supporter of disabled rights. His passion as well as support for BSL have been evident here in this Chamber for decades.

The overarching aim of this much-needed Bill is to break down the barriers facing deaf people in many aspects of society. As my colleague Mark Isherwood said in his initial introduction, British Sign Language is the most common form of sign language here in the UK and helps build a sense of community and belonging for deaf people by using hand shapes, facial expressions, gestures and body language to convey meaning. The British Deaf Association states that British Sign Language is not just a language, it is also a gateway to learning and the means whereby deaf people survive and flourish in the hearing world. Being able to use BSL is a truly fantastic thing, and I firmly believe children should be taught the basics, at the very least, whilst at school. Whilst this would create a future generation of BSL users, opportunities for adults to equip themselves with this skill should also be more widely offered to people across Wales.

Many moons ago, I actually attended a basic BSL course at the Charles Street learning centre in Newport, which was a hugely exciting as well as beneficial experience for me. I did learn basic things, and I am going to actually try and show you here in the Senedd today, as well as to our wonderful guests here in the Chamber, who, as well as those beyond the Chamber, will be able to perhaps assess me. I learned basic things such as 'hello' and 'you can name me'. [Signs in BSL.] You may have to zoom in on the camera. I remember saying my name, which is 'N-A-T-A-S-H-A', and that's about it, I'm afraid. I may be able to say 'thank you' at the end of my speech, but that's all I pretty much remember. I have to give credit to all of the BSL learning centres across Wales, and, ultimately, across the United Kingdom. There have been a lot of repeated calls for BSL to be given full legal status here in Wales, and although the Welsh Government recognised BSL as a language in its own right a decade ago, in my view more can be done and more should be done.

The Bill here today sets out to improve access to education, amongst other areas, for deaf people, and that is incredibly important, as we know that deaf learners generally have a lower educational attainment compared with their hearing peers. Not only that, but, in fact, deaf children are around 26 per cent less likely to achieve A* to C grades in core subjects such as English, maths and science than children who can hear. I'd like you to all remember that many deaf BSL signers have a lower reading age than the general population as a result of linguistic exclusion. This in turn can lead to social exclusion as a direct result of this, which can adversely affect employment, education and healthcare.

There are also issues within health settings when it comes to BSL, with a shortfall of interpreters, especially when it comes to emergency and unplanned care, having a major impact on deaf people accessing public services. If you can all recall a time where you have been to A&E or have needed emergency medical care, now try and imagine being deaf and needing a BSL translator or interpreter and support at such a difficult time.

To put it simply, Deputy Presiding Officer, this Bill will put the voice of deaf people at the heart of the design and delivery of services to ensure that their needs are met in day-to-day life. I am really proud to be standing here today and to support Mark Isherwood’s Bill. I hope all Members here in the Chamber and beyond will see the huge benefits this will bring and vote accordingly. Thank you.