Our history

The National Deaf Children's Society was founded in London on 15 December 1944 by a handful of parents of deaf children concerned about the impact of the 1944 Education Act on their schooling. 

Established as the Society of St. John of Beverley, its objective was 'to further in every way possible the provision of full modern education for all deaf children in England, as originally accorded to hearing children'. It was renamed The Deaf Children's Society in 1945, before assuming its more familiar name of The National Deaf Children's Society during the 1950s.

2002 saw the merger of NDCS and Friends for Young Deaf People, resulting in the creation of the NDCS youth wing. The merger allows NDCS to provide a seamless service supporting families with deaf children from birth to 25.

To this day, NDCS's Visions and Values reflect the fact that it remains essentially a parents' organisation, dedicated to the needs of all deaf children, their families and carers.

The first 60 years - a history of the NDCS