Irish Sign Language (ISL)

Green Party Councillor Lourda Scott welcomes the inclusion of Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation in Wicklow County Council. Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the preferred language of up to 5,000 Deaf people in Ireland and many more people (including family, friends, co-workers and so on) will communicate in ISL. It is, as such, the indigenous language of our Deaf community. ISL became recognised as an official language in 2017 after a 30 year campaign by the Irish Deaf Society.

Speaking on the matter Cllr Scott said: “Following representations from members of the deaf community I realised that although the Council make great efforts to be inclusive to all, deaf people in Wicklow were at risk of being excluded. The Irish Sign Language Act states that public bodies are obliged to ensure that interpretation into ISL is provided for a person who is competent in that language and needs it when seeking services by that public body.  

I raised this question with Wicklow County Council and discovered that we didn’t have the facilities to provide this service. However, following my representation, I am delighted that Council officials have taken action to address this inequality. People who need to access WCC facilities in future will be able to make an appointment to book an online ISL service with access to a private space, once Covid restrictions are lifted. I welcome this as a very positive step forward to becoming an all inclusive Council.”