The Royal Decree 674/2023, in force since January 2, 2024, establishes the regulations that regulate the conditions of use of the Spanish Sign Language (LSE) and the means of support for oral communication to guarantee the full inclusion of deaf, hearing-impaired and deafblind people. This standard marks a legal milestone in the effective recognition of your communication rights.
What is Royal Decree 674/2023?
Royal Decree 674/2023, approved on July 18, 2023, regulates the Law 27/2007, which recognizes the LSE and Catalan sign language. Its objective is to detail how the linguistic rights of deaf and deafblind people should be applied in all areas of social, educational, cultural and work life.
This regulation defines guarantees, procedures and obligations for public and private institutions that must ensure accessible communication.
Legal context and regulatory framework
This Royal Decree is not born in a vacuum. It is a key piece within the national and international legal framework:
- Law 27/2007: recognizes LSE as the natural language of many deaf people and regulates the right to use it.
- International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ratified by Spain in 2008): promotes accessibility and equal opportunities.
- National disability strategies: they demanded a regulatory development that is now taking place.
Who is affected by RD 674/2023?
The regulation is intended, mainly, to:
- Deaf people
- People with hearing disabilities
- Deafblind people
But it also implies obligations to:
- Public administrations
- Educational centers
- Media
- Private companies that provide public services
And what about digital accessibility?
In an increasingly digital world, RD 674/2023 also reinforces the right to access digital content in an accessible way. This implies that:
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Web pages and digital platforms of public organizations must include options for:
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Interpreting at LSE
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Synchronized and accurate subtitling
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Audio description
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Compatibility with assistive technologies (screen readers, digital braille, etc.)
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The contents must comply with the requirements of Royal Decree 1112/2018 on web accessibility, but also go further there, considering the specific needs of the deafblind community.
Spanish Sign Language: regulation and guarantees
One of the pillars of RD 674/2023 is to ensure the right to use Spanish Sign Language (SSL) in different environments. This includes:
- Education: access to bilingual or LSE education.
- Healthcare: right to interpretation or mediation in medical environments.
- Justice and social services: assistance through LSE when required.
The conditions for training LSE interpreters are also regulated and mechanisms are established to ensure their availability.
Means to support oral communication
The decree also recognizes and regulates the use of other means of supporting oral communication, such as:
- Cochlear implants and hearing aids
- Magnetic loops
- Real-time subtitling
- Accessible technologies
The objective is to guarantee that each person can choose the communication system most appropriate to their needs.
Deafblindness in RD 674/2023 (Title III)
Title III is specifically dedicated to deafblind people, recognizing them as a group with unique communication needs. Among the most important news:
- Explicit recognition of your right to specific alternative means of communication.
- Regulation of guide-interpreter services as a right, not as optional assistance.
- Recommendation for vocational training adapted to deafblind people.
Entry into force and obligations
The RD 674/2023 came into force on January 2, 2024. As of that date, all obligated public and private entities must:
- Guarantee interpretation services or communication support.
- Train your staff in communicative accessibility.
- Implement technologies that promote inclusion.
Key additional provisions
The decree also includes:
- Recognition of the National Council of Spanish Sign Languages (CNLE) as an advisory body.
- Promotion of subtitling, audio description and interpretation in LSE in audiovisual media.
- Promotion of research and statistics on the use of the LSE.
Conclusion
Royal Decree 674/2023 not only develops existing rights, but also takes a firm step towards a more accessible and inclusive society. Recognizes communicative diversity as part of the fundamental right to participation on equal terms.
