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The Sign Language (2026 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026

S.R. 2026/162 · Made 23 September 2026 · Extends to Northern Ireland

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 23 September 2026.

Sign Language

Made 23rd September 2026

The Department for Communities f1, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 15 of the Sign Language Act (Northern Ireland) 2026f2, makes the following Order.

Annotations to the whole text

Footnotes

f1

See section 1(7) of the Departments Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 (c. 5 (N.I.))

f2

2026 c.7 (N.I.)

Contents

  1. 1Citation
  2. 2Appointed Day
  3. Signature
  4. Explanatory note

1CitationI1

This Order may be cited as the Sign Language (2026 Act) (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2026.

2Appointed DayI1

The appointed day for the coming into operation of the following sections of the Sign Language Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 is 23rd September 2026-

(a)

section 1 (Official recognition of sign languages);

(b)

section 2 (Promotion of interests by lead department);

(c)

section 4 (Organisations to be listed in regulations);

(d)

section 5 (Department to issue guidance);

(e)

section 6 (Best practice to be in guidance);

(f)

section 7 (Department may make regulations);

(g)

section 8 (Procedure for making regulations);

(h)

section 9 (Department’s manner of engagement);

(i)

section 10 (Department to publish 3-yearly reports);

(j)

section 11 (Accreditation of teachers and interpreters);

(k)

section 12 (Members of the deaf community);

(l)

section 13 (Different forms of sign languages);

(m)

section 14 (Everyday reliance on sign languages).

Signature

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Communities on 23rd September 2026.

(L.S.)

Gordon Lyons MLA

Minister for Communities

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into operation on 23rd September 2026 the following provisions of the Sign Language Act (Northern Ireland) 2026—

(a)

section 1 (Official recognition of sign languages);

(b)

section 2 (Promotion of interests by lead department);

(c)

section 4 (Organisations to be listed in regulations);

(d)

section 5 (Department to issue guidance);

(e)

section 6 (Best practice to be in guidance);

(f)

section 7 (Department may make regulations);

(g)

section 8 (Procedure for making regulations);

(h)

section 9 (Department’s manner of engagement);

(i)

section 10 (Department to publish 3-yearly reports);

(j)

section 11 (Accreditation of teachers and interpreters);

(k)

section 12 (Members of the deaf community);

(l)

section 13 (Different forms of sign languages);

(m)

section 14 (Everyday reliance on sign languages.