Irish Sign Language

ISL is unique among sign languages for having different gendered versions due to men and women being taught it at different schools all over Ireland.

[10] The fact that the Catholic schools are segregated on the basis of gender led to the development of a gendered-generational variant of Irish Sign Language that is still evident (albeit to a lesser degree) today.

[17][18] The Act, which commenced on December 23, 2020, requires that public services are available through ISL and also outlines the need for greater access to education through sign language.

Prior to the passage, there was no automatic right for deaf people to have an ISL interpreter (except for criminal court proceedings).

For the deaf community, recognition of ISL means more legal rights and better access to public services - including education, healthcare, media and banking.