Deaf young person takes action at the UK party conferences

Louis Kissaun, a 17 year old student at Mary Hare school for the deaf and who acted in the Channel 4 programme, Shameless, accompanied NDCS to the UK party conferences in autumn 2009. Louis did a fantastic job in telling Ministers and MPs about his experiences growing up deaf. Read on to find out what he had to say about his experiences... 

How did you end up coming to the Labour and Conservative party conferences?

My experience of acting in Shameless and my education experiences with and without good acoustics caught NDCS’s attention. I went to a mainstream primary school which had very bad acoustics which affected my English and Maths grades. They thought that my experience of acoustics in different schools would be useful and effective for the campaign and invited me to join the campaign and help by talking to MPs at the party conferences.

What were you expecting before you arrived? How were you feeling?

I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in Brighton for the Labour conference. Going through the security there was intense and it was very busy. My first morning was interesting, particularly the first few moments with the MPs which were quite nerve racking. At one point, we met with 3 MPs at the same time, one of which was Ed Balls, the Children’s Secretary. After a few moments, I felt more relaxed and confident in explaining why acoustics is important.

You’ve met lots of MPs. How have you found meeting them? How have they responded to you?  

The majority have responded well with enthusiasm. A few weren’t as zealous as others but the feedback was positive. They had lots of very interesting questions and I hope we raised their own awareness of the issue with acoustics in mainstream schools so they will raise the issue in Parliament. 

What have you talked about with MPs, peers and PPCs?

I have talked about my own personal experience in education and acoustics. I told many of the struggles I had at the mainstream classes at my primary school and how I have improved at my secondary school, Mary Hare. I explained how it would benefit hearing children, teachers and interpreters, not just deaf people but everyone who is in the classroom.

What feedback have you had from MPs, peers and PPCs about how it has all gone?

MPs told us they planned to check their new schools in their authority and see what they can do on acoustics. Some with more power will see what they can do in central Government.  I feel that almost all the MPs agreed with the issues we talked about and wanted to listen to me. I think we have certainly got a few more MPs on board with campaign.

Who did you most enjoy meeting, and why?

I enjoyed meeting Richard Benyon a lot. He is the MP for my school in Newbury. Mark Harper, shadow disability minister, was nice and I thought some of the MPs responded very passionately to the issue of the lack of acoustic treatment in mainstream schools.

Did you do anything else at conference, apart from meet MPs? Any memorable moments?

At Brighton, I had fish and chips and a sunny break playing mini-golf. Manchester was just rain.

What’s been the best thing about going to the conferences?

Probably just the meeting the MPs and I really enjoyed looking around the stalls. I had my photo taken in the RNID phone box which tests people’s hearing.

And the worse?

Probably waiting for the late MPs.

Have you enjoyed being here? Has it been a useful learning experience?

I enjoyed some of it. Some of it was boring especially when we’re repeating the same words to different MPs. But I enjoyed talking directly to the MPs and introducing myself to them. It has been a very new and bizarre experience for me, a dive into the political world. I found this mini-campaign an excellent start to make the attainment gap for deaf people much smaller. I would be very disappointed if it fails to succeed.

NDCS likes to get deaf young people involved in our campaigns. What’s your advice for any deaf young people who come to party conference next year with NDCS?

Don’t let NDCS Campaigns Officer, Ian N, chose what’s for dinner. Other than that be brave and don’t shy away from the burning questions you might have for the MPs.

Finally, tell us a bit about your plans for the future? Any plans to become a MP?!

I might do something in art or film. Still weighing up my options and choices!