Overcoming barriers in the early years
With the help of our funders, we’ve been able to support deaf children and their families during those crucial early years.
New to Hearing Loss events
More than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents who may not know anything about deafness.
Our New to Hearing Loss events bring families together to learn from experts in audiology, technology and communication.
Our amazing volunteers, including deaf young people and parents, also share their experiences and give support.
In 2022/23 we delivered 14 events, attended by 200 families. As a result, 94% said they felt better supported.
94% of parents who attended our New to Hearing Loss events felt better supported afterwards.
Family Sign Language
With support from The Access Foundation, Cadbury Fingers and the Department for Communities Northern Ireland, we expanded our online Family Sign Language course.
At weekly sessions, families learned signs to use with young children as well as signs specific to their UK nation.
We delivered 29 online courses and three in-person events, reaching 459 people. This was an 84% increase on last year.
In August 2022, we partnered with Cadbury Fingers to encourage more people to chat in British Sign Language. Celebrities including Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, supported the award-winning Sign with Fingers campaign.
For more information, download the early years section of our impact report.
- Overcoming barriers in the early years (133kb | PDF)