LEGAL FRAMEWORK (What the law requires and protects)
This section brings together the legal backing demonstrating that access to communication and sign language is neither a medical concession nor a discretionary benefit, but a non-negotiable human and legal right.
🌍 International Regulations and Constitutional Framework
⚖️ Constitución Española (Spanish Constitution) (Articles 9.2, 10.1, and 14):
Guarantee of Fundamental Rights: It obliges public authorities to promote conditions ensuring that individual freedom and equality are real and effective, removing any obstacles that hinder their full development. It protects human dignity and prohibits discrimination based on any personal or social condition.
🌍 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006 / Ratified by Spain in 2008):
Article 2 (Definitions): Explicitly defines that the legal concept of «language» includes spoken languages as well as sign languages and other forms of non-spoken languages.
Article 21 (Freedom of expression and opinion, and access to information): Urges States Parties to recognise, promote, and facilitate the use of sign languages, ensuring that all persons can exercise their freedom of expression and information on an equal basis with others.
Article 24 (Inclusive Education): Obliges States to facilitate the learning of sign language and the promotion of linguistic identity, ensuring education without exclusion or communication barriers.
🏛️ National Legislation in Spain
🏛️ Ley 27/2007, de 23 de octubre (Recognition of Spanish Sign Languages Act / Law 27/2007, of 23 October):
Article 3 (Right to Free Choice): Expressly recognises the right of free choice to learn, know, and use sign language.
Article 10 (Educational Sphere): Obliges public administrations to provide sign language as a medium of instruction in educational centres.
📜 Real Decreto 674/2023, de 18 de julio (Royal Decree 674/2023, of 18 July – Regulation on Conditions of Use of Spanish Sign Language):
Bilingual Educational Models: Requires education authorities to provide bilingual models incorporating sign language and to include specialists and linguistic role models in educational centres.
Respect for Linguistic Identity: Establishes the protection of linguistic identity and the free learning of sign language as a guiding principle for minors and individuals requiring communication support.
⚖️ Texto Refundido de la Ley General de derechos de las personas con discapacidad (Consolidated Text of the General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013 / Amended by Law 4/2026):
Universal Accessibility in Communication: Establishes that universal accessibility mandatorily includes accessibility in communication and information.
Mandatory Reasonable Adjustments: Legally establishes that refusing a reasonable adjustment or denying access to sign language constitutes direct discrimination on grounds of disability.
🗺️ Autonomous Community Legislation and Education Acts
📚 Ley Orgánica 3/2020 (LOMLOE – Organic Law on Education 3/2020):
Inclusion and Universal Accessibility: Mandates that educational centres must implement the necessary organisational, curricular, and accessibility measures (including sign language) to ensure the full development of students without discrimination.
🏛️ Regional Laws on the Recognition of Sign Language and Accessibility:
(Examples: Ley 17/2010 de la Lengua de Signos Catalana [Catalan Sign Language Act], Ley 11/2011 de Andalucía [Andalusian Sign Language Act], Ley 3/2023 de Accesibilidad de la Comunidad de Madrid [Community of Madrid Accessibility Act], among others).
Territorial Protection: Enshrine at the autonomous community level the obligation of public, healthcare, educational, and judicial services to provide accessible assistance through sign language to any individual who requires this communication channel to exercise their rights.