Commentary on provisions of Act Chapter 1: Declaration recognising British Sign Language Section 1: Recognition British Sign Language
Section 1(1) recognises that British Sign Language is a language of England, Wales and Scotland. It does not extend this recognition to Northern Ireland as there are two distinct sign languages used in Northern Ireland - British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language. Irish Sign Language is not in the scope of this Act.
	Section 1(2) ensures that the Act does not affect the operation of any enactment or rule of law; in particular, the recognition does not affect the framework of protections provided by the Equality Act 2010 (including the duty to make reasonable adjustments). However, the recognition of British Sign Language is linked with new duties on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to carry out certain obligations.