Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I want to thank Mark Isherwood for bringing this important debate to Senedd Cymru, and thank all Members who've contributed. We're all aware of how important this issue is, as we need to ensure that all deaf people in Wales have access to information and services. Last week, I made a statement to the Senedd to mark the international day of disabled people, and I highlighted a range of areas where we're taking action to advance disabled people's rights in Wales. This, of course, includes deaf disabled people.

It's therefore timely to focus on this issue, and I welcome the opportunity to do so. When considering deaf BSL users, it is essential that we understand how BSL and other preferred methods of communication could be treated more equally when compared with Welsh and English. I know that this issue has previously been highlighted in Senedd questions by Mike Hedges today and other Members on previous occasions. I thank you for your views today. Of course, we did discuss this in a short debate in January about hidden inequality, when this was also discussed. For many deaf people, BSL is their first or preferred language, and since 2004, Welsh Government has recognised BSL as a language of Wales.

Members will be aware of the 'Locked out: liberating disabled people's lives and rights in Wales beyond COVID-19' report, which was produced during the pandemic by and with disabled people. The Welsh Government responded by setting up the disability rights taskforce. As part of this, we've established an access to services, which includes the communications and technology working group, and it will ensure that the lived experience of disabled people drives forward the advancement of disabled people's rights, including access to BSL through the development of a disability rights action plan.

We are working with the British Deaf Association, which conducted a BSL audit for Welsh Government, and they're due to publish their final report in January—so, within a few weeks. Many of the recommendations in this report will help us to build resilience within the BSL translation and interpreting services, and also help us to build awareness of BSL in Wales. This will enable us to begin to set the standard for equality and access to services and information in BSL within Wales, including meaningful consultation and engagement with the deaf community.

As well as building capacity for learning and teaching BSL at all levels of the education system in Wales, I'm keenly aware that, to enable full access to information services and to remove barriers to participation, there needs to be a drive to build the capacity of deaf BSL translators and BSL-English and BSL-Welsh interpreters. We've all experienced the challenge—I have—of booking the few BSL interpreters who are available in Wales, and it's vital that we use BSL interpreters who understand the context of Wales and the nuances of using BSL alongside the Welsh language. Without these services, many people would not be able to take part and have their voices equally heard. I think the presence of BSL interpreters in Welsh Government press conferences from the start of the pandemic and currently, obviously, now part of the way we do our communications is essential. And I do welcome the BSL interpreter today in the Senedd.

You will be aware of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 that has children's rights at its core and will help ensure that all learners, including deaf children, are effectively supported to overcome barriers to learning and can achieve their full potential. The ALN Act creates a unified legislative framework to support learners from age nought to 25 with ALN and promotes equality by providing the right to a statutory individual development plan for all learners with ALN, regardless of the level of need.

A more equal Wales is one that enables people to fulfil their potential, no matter what their background or circumstances. It's also one of our collective national well-being goals in the well-being of future generations Act—[Interruption.]