MorganAsh partners with Signly to improve access to financial services for Deaf people

07 October 2026

For a BSL translation of this press release, please scan the QR code below or visit: http://morganash.com/signly

Support services provider MorganAsh has announced a new partnership with Signly, allowing users of the MorganAsh website and consumer portal itswhoiam.me to browse pages using British Sign Language (BSL).

Visitors to both sites will be able to request free translations of any webpage. Once translated, this will always be immediately available and proactively updated in line with any changes. Rather than using AI, the translations are provided by real people – all of whom are registered BSL translators and members of the deaf community.

The move recognises the 87,000 people in the UK who use BSL as their main language, while estimates suggest around 151,000 people use BSL in some form.

The partnership also aims to address the common misconception that everyone who is profoundly deaf are confident reading written text or webpages. In reality, for many, BSL is a first language or for some, their only language. Some deaf people face a distinct disadvantage when learning written or spoken English as a second language compared to hearing peers – resulting in lower English proficiency (LEP).

This service, which is already in use by the likes of Lloyds Bank, Santander and Nationwide, as well as in other areas and sectors, is designed to break down the barriers faced by members of the deaf community and provide equal access to content. For financial services firms, a service such as Signly can be an important part of delivering the requirements set out under Consumer Duty, helping ensure all customers can access, understand and act on important information in a way that supports good outcomes.

Alongside the MorganAsh website, the service is available on itswhoiam.me, a consumer portal that provides customers with the information and confidence to disclose potential vulnerabilities to firms. It is designed to go before or alongside a vulnerability assessment request to help firms build trust and gain the confidence of customers.

Andrew Gething, managing director of MorganAsh, said:

“We are really proud to partner with Signly and integrate BSL translations within our sites. Alongside clear misconceptions, there is a real lack of knowledge and support surrounding the challenges faced by the deaf community. This clever integration is a fantastic step firms can make to provide equal access to important content and ultimately, better outcomes. We’d encourage all firms to really explore this opportunity for themselves.

“Consumer Duty has made the requirement for firms to understand and respond to the needs of customers clearer than ever, and accessibility must be a critical part of that conversation. But it’s not just about regulatory obligations. If a person cannot access important financial information in a format that works for them, they risk being excluded from making informed decisions. It’s therefore not just about good practice, but about delivering good outcomes and creating a financial services sector that is fairer, more trusted and more inclusive for everyone.”

Mark Applin, chief executive officer at Signly, adds:

“Financial services can be complex to navigate at the best of times – particularly for members of the Deaf community without accessible means to understand and engage with important financial documents. Working with key partners such as MorganAsh, Signly is helping to address this by making BSL more readily available across financial services and creating a more inclusive experience.

“While there is a regulatory reason for financial services to improve accessibility, there is also a clear social one too. Everyone should have the same opportunity to access, understand and engage with the financial services they rely on. Removing barriers to communication is an important part in creating not only a fairer and more inclusive sector, but a society where all people are better able to participate and explore any opportunity available to them.”

MorganAsh is a specialist in Consumer Duty and customer vulnerability. The firm provides its multi-award-winning MorganAsh Resilience System (MARS) to help firms understand and monitor vulnerable customers and deliver good outcomes – as required by Consumer Duty. It is in use across financial services and the utilities sector, enabling businesses to adopt a consistent approach to identifying vulnerable characteristics and generate an objective Resilience Rating – much like a credit score.

To find out more about MARS or access a free trial, visit: morganash.com/mars or phone: 0330 159 8162.