Sign Language Week is celebrated annually, and this year it will run from 16–22 March 2026. This year’s theme is “United in Sign”. It is a celebration of unity, pride and collective action around sign languages.

For the Deaf community, the message is one of empowerment and visibility:

“This is our language, our heritage, our identity. This week we lead, we stand proud — United in Sign.”

For the wider public, it is a call to inclusion and allyship:

“Every sign learned is an act of allyship. Join us as an ally, learn, share and support us.” 

This year is especially significant as the British Deaf Association launches its #TakingBSLForward movement and introduces its new Early Years position statement, reinforcing its responsibility to promote, preserve and protect British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language and encourage more people to start learning.

BSL was legally recognised in law by the UK Government on 28th April 2022. This followed similarly ground-breaking legislation in Scotland - the BSL Act (Scotland) (2015). 28 April is now known annually as ‘National BSL Day’.

Find out more about Sign Language Week and watch in sign language. 

Resources

Learn some signs.

You can also download a range of free BSL learning resources from Signature, including posters, flashcards, activities and videos to support your learning. (Please credit Signature if you use the resources.) 

Learn BSL at Sussex

The University of Sussex offers evening and lunchtime British Sign Language short courses open to students, staff and the wider community.
Find out more about BSL lessons at Sussex, including dates, enrolment and, tuition and assessment fees. 

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