A teenager who has been campaigning for years to have a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) introduced in the UK has told politicians the qualification is "vital."
The tireless campaigning of Daniel Jillings, 17, from Lowestoft has seen the UK Government begin work on developing a BSL GCSE.
Having been born profoundly deaf without a cochlea, Daniel cannot use hearing aids or cochlear implants.
As he does not use speech, BSL is his first language.
On Tuesday February 28, the teenager was invited by the National Deaf Children's Society to speak at a parliamentary reception.
He addressed more than 20 MPs through a BSL translator, including Tom Pursglove, the minister for disabled people, and said how he has campaigned for a GCSE in BSL for a number of years.
With a Government consultation on draft subject content for a BSL GCSE now imminent, Daniel said: "You can achieve a GCSE in German, French, Spanish or various other languages but not in BSL, which is a fully recognised language.
"Now a GSCE in BSL is in progress and hopefully it will be ready before 2025.
"I will have finished my A-levels by then, but I will be happy to know deaf students will be able to access an exam in their own language in the future.
"GCSE BSL is so vital."
The teenager also urged the Government to invest more in training of Teachers of the Deaf - whose numbers have dropped by around a fifth since 2012.
Waveney MP Peter Aldous - who has constantly highlighted Daniel's campaign and supported the National Deaf Children's Society - sponsored the parliamentary event at Portcullis House.
Mr Aldous said: "I was very pleased to be able to host The National Deaf Children's Society’s deaf awareness event in Parliament.
"Like many at the event I would like to see deaf children be able to take a GCSE in BSL and once again call on ministers to deliver on their commitment to introducing one soon as possible."
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