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<h1 id="content" tabindex="-4">Mansfield deaf comedian praises Lib Dems for new BSL policy but more needs to be done</h1>
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<p class="">editorial image</p>
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<ul class=""><li class="">by Isabel Dunmore</li></ul>
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<p class=""><span class="">Published on the</span>
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19 </span>
<span class="">September <br>2013 <br>14:20</span></p>
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<a href="http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/mansfield-deaf-comedian-praises-lib-dems-for-new-bsl-policy-but-more-needs-to-be-done-1-6066845#" class="">Print this</a>
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<p><b>Mansfield’s deaf <a id="KonaLink0" class="" style="text-decoration:underline!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important" href="http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/mansfield-deaf-comedian-praises-lib-dems-for-new-bsl-policy-but-more-needs-to-be-done-1-6066845#"><font style="color:rgb(68,102,136)!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important" color="#446688"><span class="" style="color:rgb(68,102,136)!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important">comedian</span></font></a> has said more needs to done to lift daily barriers affecting the deaf community.</b></p>
<p>It might be the 20th century but John Smith has said
deaf people are still living in the dark ages when it comes to
communicating with the rest of the world.</p><p>Mr Smith has toured all over but has called support for the deaf community in the United Kingdom as shocking.</p><p>“We want equality just like everyone else, right now the deaf community are the most under represented equal rights group.</p>
<p>“For example gay people and people with disabilites all have laws in place to protect them. </p><p>“Although these may still not be perfect, the <a id="KonaLink1" class="" style="text-decoration:underline!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important" href="http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/mansfield-deaf-comedian-praises-lib-dems-for-new-bsl-policy-but-more-needs-to-be-done-1-6066845#"><font style="color:rgb(68,102,136)!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important" color="#446688"><span class="" style="color:rgb(68,102,136)!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important">deaf</span></font></a> community essentially has no rights by law,” He said.</p>
<p>A recent conference held by the Liberal Democrats in Glasgow did shed some light on the way forard however.</p><p>The
party voted to pass the policy on ‘Recognising a Legal Status for
British Sign Language’ (BSL) at its conference on 17th September.</p><p>For
Mr Smith, and many others who use BSL, every day tasks become
impossible because facilities are not in place to cater for them. </p><p>Mr
Smith continued: “Making a simple phone call can seem impossible. I got
really angry and frustrated myself the other day after I needed to
phone the bank. </p><p>“I could not get through to anyone or explain I was <a id="KonaLink2" class="" style="text-decoration:underline!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important" href="http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/mansfield-deaf-comedian-praises-lib-dems-for-new-bsl-policy-but-more-needs-to-be-done-1-6066845#"><font style="color:rgb(68,102,136)!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important" color="#446688"><span class="" style="color:rgb(68,102,136)!important;font-family:inherit!important;font-weight:inherit!important;font-size:inherit!important">deaf</span></font></a> and when a third party tried to speak for me the bank refused because of security issues.”</p>
<p>Mr Smith became deaf after contracting Meningitus at three and a half. </p><p>He
has since helped to lead the Spit the Dummy campaign and said now is
the time to eliminate barriers facing deaf people once and for all.</p><p>“We are well into the 20th century now and yet it feels like we are still in the dark ages. It is not good enough,” He said.</p><p>The campaign now has 11,000 members and is growing every day.</p>
<p>BSL
was recognised as a language in its own right in 2003 but in the past
10 years there has been little progress in granting it a legal status
and protecting BSL users.</p> </div>
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<br><a href="http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/mansfield-deaf-comedian-praises-lib-dems-for-new-bsl-policy-but-more-needs-to-be-done-1-6066845">http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/mansfield-deaf-comedian-praises-lib-dems-for-new-bsl-policy-but-more-needs-to-be-done-1-6066845</a><br clear="all">
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