01 October 2013

  The Welsh fourth channel S4C is to provide a signing service on Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog (Questions to the First Minister) for deaf viewers.

Starting today, Tuesday, 1 October there will be a British Sign Language interpreter at the side of the screen during the Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog session, which is part of the programme Y Dydd yn Y Cynulliad (The Day in the Assembly) on S4C.

Y Dydd yn y Cynulliad is broadcast every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12.05am on S4C, with Questions to the First Minister on Tuesday's programme.

The signing service is a new development following an agreement between S4C, The Wales Council for Deaf People and the National Assembly for Wales.

Dafydd Rhys, Director of Content at S4C said:

"It's great to announce this new development which means that Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog (Questions to the First Minister) now includes a signing service.

The session is of great importance and interest to the people of Wales and we want to ensure that the programme is available to as many people as possible."

Norman B Moore, Director of the Wales Council for Deaf People said:

“This initiative by S4C to broadcast First Minister’s Questions in BSL is very welcome and a step in the right direction to access to broadcasting for BSL users.”

The Assembly will also broadcast Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog with the signing service live on their internal television system in The Senedd.

Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM said:

“The National Assembly for Wales is proud to support and facilitate S4C in its move to provide British Sign Language translation for First Minister’s Questions in its coverage of the work of the Assembly.

“The Assembly must engage with all communities in Wales and we will do all we can to assist broadcasters in achieving this goal.

“We have a good record when it comes to equalities issues and recently received the Action on Hearing Loss Louder than Words charter mark. S4C are taking a big step in providing for those who are deaf or have hearing loss, and should be applauded for doing so.”

End

Notes

Vision signing involves translating a programme's dialogue into British Sign Language (BSL). Sign language is a visual language with a unique syntax having its own independent grammar and vocabulary. An interpreter, whose image is superimposed on the broadcasted programme, carries out that work.