Legal recognition of Irish Sign Language passes

Alain Newstead has good reason to celebrate the passage of a new law to ensure access to public services through Irish Sign Language for him and more than 5,000 other deaf people.

The 18-year-old Leaving Certificate student has twice addressed the Seanad on matters relating to Irish Sign Language (ISL), including last year’s debate on the bill expected to pass final stages there this morning.

He hopes to study computer software at college and expects his profound deafness will not be a barrier after a strong role in the campaign for legal recognition of ISL.