Unheard children (2020)

There are more than 34 million deaf children in the world and the majority live in developing countries. 

All of these children have the potential to live productive and fulfilling lives. But to realise their potential, they need the right support, right from the start. 

Deafness is not a learning disability but it is an invisible disability that is frequently misunderstood. This widespread ignorance devastates the lives of millions of deaf children. 

Too often they do not have the same chances as their hearing peers to go to school, to learn, to be part of their community, to get a job and live independently. 

The new Unheard Children report will serve as a vital resource for development specialists, governments, NGOs and global institutions for years to come.

Gordon Brown, UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Former UK Prime Minister

There are many things we can do to tackle the barriers that deaf children face. This report describes some of the interventions that have proved consistently successful in a range of cultural and contextual settings. 

While our focus is specifically deaf children, many of the interventions also make a positive difference to the lives of their hearing peers. 

Key themes 

• Why it is so important for deaf children to acquire language and communication skills in order to build relationships, learn and be part of the wider world.
• How families can play a critical role in initiating long-term systemic change.
• How the wider community can unlock deaf children’s potential.
• Why it is crucial that deaf children and young people have the right support at school to enable them to learn.
• Why it is important to consult with deaf young people and support them to acquire the knowledge, confidence and self-belief to develop healthy relationships and find meaningful employment.