British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust

BSLBT was initially established as a private company, with a Board of Directors drawn in equal numbers from the broadcasting world and from the Deaf community. In January 2012 it achieved charitable status, retaining the commitment to an equal mix of Deaf and hearing Trustees. Its charitable objectives are: The promotion of social inclusion among t... he Deaf community who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of being deaf by encouraging, supporting and developing the provision of broadcasting of sign-presented content (in any media) for the members of the Deaf community. Independent broadcasters with between 0.5% and 1% of audience share can choose either to source and broadcast programmes presented in sign-language themselves or to contribute £20,000 each per year to BSLBT to make programmes in sign language for the Deaf audience. BSLBT's income in 2011 was £1 million, and contributions from broadcasters are expected to remain broadly at this level for the foreseeable future. Having secured charitable status, opportunities now exist to seek additional funds to expand BSLBT's work in line with its mission.Read More