Abstract:

The paper analyses the impact of sign language legislation and its implementation and the public safety on the example of the Republic of Poland during the epidemic of SARS-CoV-2.The first part (I) of the paper describes a legal framework of the language right during epidemic in Poland. Is it is divided into three sub-sections on the basis of the main subject matter of the analyzed regulations: (1) Constitutional emergency measures – state of natural disaster, (2) A state of epidemic emergency, (3) Sign language legislation in the Republic of Poland. Legal analysis is followed by a case study regarding implementation of the language rights of Polish Sign language users during the state of epidemic emergency. The final section titled: “Beyond discrimination: critical assessment of legal compliance with policy measures in the context of public safety” includes an evaluation of the national legal instruments and its implementation by state authorities in Poland. The third part is followed by conclusions, where critical areas for further research are designated.