Government updates guidelines on use of sign languages in communications – guidelines aim to promote realisation of linguistic rights of sign language users

The Government has published an updated version of its guidelines on the use of sign languages in government communications. The aim of the guidelines is to promote the realisation of the linguistic rights of sign language users and to provide support in choices, decisions and practical work related to this.  

The guidelines supplement the existing government communications guidelines and apply to Finnish and Finland-Swedish sign language. 

The Government published its first guidelines on the use of sign languages in 2019. Those guidelines included instructions for interpreting press conferences and translating web content into sign languages so that the Government would have uniform criteria for their use. 

The updated guidelines include the same sections, but they have been further specified based on the experiences of the ministries and stakeholders, as well as new information and legislation. For example, the new guidelines have more recommendations on improving the reach of sign language content through communications. The guidelines on which kinds of content should be translated and interpreted have also been specified and expanded. 

“The updated guidelines include good practices and lessons learned from the use of sign languages during the COVID-19 crisis. When updating the guidelines, we received valuable comments from a variety of stakeholders,” said Director of Government Communications Päivi Paasikoski.  

“The recommendations in the guidelines are for the Government, but we hope they will also benefit other organisations,” Paasikoski continued. 

The sign language content on the Government’s website is being updated according to the new guidelines. 

The working group that drew up the guidelines included representatives from all ministries. It was chaired by Head of Communications Heli Suominen from the Prime Minister’s Office.  

Inquiries:  

Päivi Paasikoski, Director of Government Communications, tel. +358 295 160 136   

Tuulia Nieminen, Senior Communications Specialist, tel. +358 295 160 045  

Elena Uskola, Head of Web Communications, tel. +358 295 160 131  

The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected]