The call for more Teachers of the Deaf (Wales)

We’ve been supporting Ros Hannam's campaign urging the Welsh Government to invest in specialist qualified Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs). 

As a mother of two deaf children, Ros knows first-hand the difference ToDs make to families with deaf children. 

In October 2023, Ros set up a petition asking the Government in Wales to:  

• Make a long-term financial commitment to restoring ToD numbers in Wales to their 2011 levels. 
• Highlight to local authorities the important role that ToDs play in meeting the needs of deaf children and their families. 

The petition closed on 13 April 2024 with 1,431 signatures. This is a fantastic result – thank you to everyone who added their name. 

Next steps 

The Welsh Government’s Petitions Committee will now discuss Ros’s petition.  

We’re working with Ros to plan the next steps for her campaign to make sure the Government takes action for more ToDs.  

We’ll keep you posted about progress with the campaign and how you can continue to support our work on this issue. 

Why the Teachers of the Deaf campaign matters 

ToDs are essential for supporting the language and communication development of deaf children. They support families and guide mainstream teachers and schools on deaf awareness and inclusion. 

In Wales, the number of ToDs has fallen by 17% since 2011, and a third of them are set to retire over the next decade. 

Without urgent action the number of ToDs in Wales will continue to decrease. This will make it harder for families with deaf children to access the support they need.