Our wins
Campaign wins across the UK
Together with you, we've changed things for the better for deaf children and young people.
Keep reading for a handful of our successful campaigns across the UK.
Teachers of the Deaf (England)
Thanks to the thousands of you who took action, we managed to influence the Department of Education’s SEND and alternative provision improvement plan.
This plan sets out what actions the Department of Education will take following last year’s consultation into the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.
The plan commits the Department to ensuring there are enough Teachers of the Deaf and to exploring further options to increase numbers. It also talked about work underway to develop a new apprenticeship pathway for specialist teachers of children with sensory impairment.
This is a fantastic achievement, and the plan stated that “the importance of these roles came through clearly in consultation feedback”. Your message is being heard and shows that you are making real a difference by taking action.
You can read more about our response to the Department of Education’s SEND and alternative provision improvement plan in our blog.
British Sign Language on BBC Newsround
In 2020, 70 deaf young people told us they wanted accessible news. We supported them to get in touch with BBC Newsround to explain why this was so important to them.
It took two years of working together, but on 31 March 2022 – BBC Newsround's 50th anniversary – they announced a major breakthrough. From April 2022 onwards, Newsround's daily bulletins will be available in British Sign Language (BSL).
Did you know Newsround is watched by two million children a week? Adding signed bulletins will make the news more accessible for many deaf children and young people – but it's also a fantastic way to spread deaf awareness.
BBC Newsround have told us that they are now working on adding captions to all the video content on their website. We expect an update on this soon.
A big thank you to everyone who has been involved in this campaign!
British Sign Language GCSE
In 2023, the Department of education held a public consultation for the draft subject content for when the GCSE is rolled out in 2025.
After a campaign by our Young people’s Advisory Board, a touch of influencer support, and a legal bid by a deaf young person…. in 2018, the Government in England finally allowed the introduction of a GCSE in British Sign Language during the current parliament.
In Wales, we’ve influenced the Government to develop guidance to ensure that its new Curriculum takes account of BSL – both as a first language and for those wishing to learn it as a second language.
Together we made the BSL CGSE happen – read more about how we did it:
#KeepItClear in health
During the Covid pandemic we asked for clear face masks to be made available for use in NHS and social care settings. In September 2020, the Government in England confirmed that 250,000 clear face masks had been purchased for the NHS. A good first step – but much more was needed.
We kept on the pressure by joining the NHS working group on clear face masks, and since April 2022 three types of clear face masks have been approved for use in the NHS. These are available for use in health and social care settings and will be a game-changer for deaf children.
A big thank you to all of you who spread the message to #KeepItClear. Including deaf young people Emma and Austin who brought clear face masks to the Prime Minister's attention. And a big thank you to all the deaf professionals and other organisations who worked alongside us to raise this issue.
Newborn Hearing Screening
In 2006, after many years (decades!) of campaigning, newborn hearing screening was introduced across the UK.
All children now have a hearing test in their first few weeks of life. This is so important. Early diagnosis means that more deaf children will get the help and support they need, sooner.