TV design expert lends support to NDCS acoustics campaign

Kevin McCloud, popular presenter of Channel 4 programme Grand Designs, has spoken out about the importance of high quality acoustics in schools for deaf children, giving the NDCS Sounds good? campaign a major boost.

In a message to NDCS, Kevin said:

"Despite the fact that we are embarking on the biggest schools building programme in history and that proper design is now a process and concept that millions in Britain embrace and demand, the design of British schools continues to be patchy.

Great built environments produce sensations of enjoyment and are energising. Designing school buildings that do this for every member of their constituency is bafflingly hard. People with disabilities continue to suffer. In particular, organising the acoustics of teaching spaces to help the hard of hearing or profoundly deaf is a precise science and more can be done to make the learning life easier for those affected.

The technologies exist: Hearing loops can be put in; materials science for ceiling boards, insulation and cladding is advanced; a lot of solutions can be retrofitted even. 

The knowledge is there. I hope this campaign succeeds in putting the issue on the agenda." 

A wide and diverse range of organisations working with children have already endorsed the campaign, demonstrating a groundswell of support for urgent action from the Government.

NDCS is calling on the Government to make sure all new school buildings are tested for their acoustics. You can support the campaign by joining the NDCS Campaigns Network .

More information:

• NDCS's Sounds good? campaign for better acoustics