Petition

Provide funding to optical services to pay for BSL interpreters

Closed 381 signatures

What the petition asks

Provide Government funding to optical services, so that they can pay to book BSL interpreters for deaf patients. I am a dispensing optician who has seen many deaf patients in recent years.
The cost of a BSL interpreter for a single visit by far outweighs the current private or NHS sight test fees (even if NHS optical vouchers were included). This means that not all opticians can afford to provide support to their deaf patients, leading to potential communication barriers and unequal access to eyecare.

Timeline

5 Dec 2024 Petition opened for signatures
5 Jun 2025 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 381
Status Closed
Opened 5 Dec 2024
Closed 5 Jun 2025

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 5 Aug 2026.