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Language and communication skills are at the heart of deaf children's development and, providing families get the right support, deaf children can learn to communicate as well as other children. Despite this, parents across the UK are being forced to pay hundreds or thousands of pounds, just to learn to communicate with their deaf child.

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Parents who want to use sign language to communicate with their child must be given the help to do so. NDCS and parents are urging the Government to make family sign language courses available for any families of deaf children who want to learn sign language.

Live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? Click on your country to find out how we're campaigning for access to sign language for families in your area.

Family Sign Language in action

Watch Ava and Lilli demonstrating how important communication within the family is.

Take action!

1) Contact your MP
Ask your MP to urge the Government to make family sign language coureses available for any families of deaf children who want to learn sign language.
Contact your MP now >

2) Sign our e-petition
Get your voice straight to the Government by signing our e-petition >

3) Share your story
We'd love to hear about your experiences and thoughts. Email us at campaigns@ndcs.org.uk or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.

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Latest news

4 November 2011
NDCS meets with Children's Minister to discuss access to family sign language.
Find out more here >

21 October 2011
Parents share their experiences of learning sign language to communicate with their children.
Read more here >

19 October 2011
NDCS telephone survey reveals that less than half of councils contacted by NDCS are providing support for families who want to learn family sign languge.
Read more >

13 July 2011
The Prime Minister recognised sign language as "incredibly valuable".
Find out more >

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Want to know more?

NDCS briefing on family sign language (71 kb) (last updated: November 2011)
NDCS Family Sign Language (FSL) Curriculum
NDCS Family Sign Language website
NDCS Fingerspellathon

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Get in touch

Got any questions? Want to tell us your experiences about accessing sign language courses or signing with your family? Please email campaigns@ndcs.org.uk or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.

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Your recent comments

BSL

31 January 2012

My son is now nearly 4, he was born profoundly deaf and I had to fund my BSL course myself, not only did BSL help us communicate it also taught me about deaf awareness, something I was previously unaware of. My son was uni laterally implanted at 1 and since staring nursery has signed less and less as his verbal communication has increased. However I am so glad I did the BSL course, it was worth the struggle to pay, I truly believe it gave me confidence to deal with my sons deafness at the time, it provided me with an effective way of communication with him and means I can still tell him off when he tries to be a cheeky monkey and take his implant off when he doesn't want to listen ;) The council in 2010 took the level 1 course off the adult education list, which now means that parents have to pay privately... it seems ridiculous that they provide free parenting courses, courses to brush up your English to help children read, yet they neglect the rights of parents with deaf children to be able to communicate with their children.

Michelle - North West

Sign Language

20 October 2011

Our little girl is profoundly deaf and has recently been implanted. My husband and I have been trying to find sign language courses but there is nothing in our area at all (Mid Wales). The cost of residential courses is prohibitive. This project sounds wonderful and we can't wait to see what comes out of it. Well done NDCS!

Nina - Wales

Sign language classes

30 August 2011

Hi, my 2yr old son has severe/profound bilateral hearing loss, wears 2 aids. We have been looking for sign language classes and have got prices being around £600+ for myself and my partner, financially this is a big some of money, as I gave up work at Xmas this year to put my time into helping my son. I have emailed my local councillor who forwarded the information onto the appropriate people. I received an email today from a gentleman from a funding department who informed me that as sn individual I would not be able to apply for funding, I would have to have a registered charity like ndcs to recommend and put our names forward to be eligible. Is this something that ndcs can do? Was also told that they only meet around 4 times a year to organise funding. I'm at a total loss as to what to do now. I have forwarded all information onto the mp. As I find it very sad and upsetting that it is so hard to try and get help to be able to communicate with my child. Thanks. Mstansfield.

Michelle Stansfield