How to be deaf-friendly

Here you’ll find a variety of information and resources to make communicating with deaf children easier and help you become more deaf-friendly in different environments. There are also resources to share with professionals who work with deaf children.

Communicating with deaf children

Tips and advice to help you communicate with deaf children.

• 11 top tips for communicating with deaf children – it’s not as hard as you might think!
• Communicating with deaf children flyer – can be used at school, clubs and at home to help adults communicate with deaf children.
• Family Sign Language – practical tips and videos for families with a 0—5 year old who want to start using British Sign Language (BSL) as part of everyday activities
• Fingerspelling postcard and poster  – learn the British Sign Language alphabet and start spelling out simple words and people’s names.

Make family life deaf-friendly

Use these tips to make sure parties and family gatherings are deaf-friendly and everyone is included.

• Deaf-friendly birthday parties and party games – use these deaf-friendly tips and party games ideas, or share this webpage with your child’s friend’s parents.
• Making Christmas deaf-friendly – top tips to make sure deaf children are included over the festive season.
• Deaf-friendly swimming lessons – practical advice to help you make sure your child gets the most out of their swimming lessons and has fun in the water
• Make school plays deaf-friendly – top tips to help deaf children feel included in school plays and to make sure they have a fun experience

Making your child’s medical appointments deaf-friendly

Watch our video of Dan, who's 17 and deaf, when he realises that he can get communication support for his medical appointments – and won't need to go with his mum!

Resources to share with professionals

Share our information and resources with professionals working with your child to help them be deaf-friendly and give your child the support they need.

• Creating good listening conditions – a series of resources for parents and for professionals to make listening easier in educational settings.
• Personal profiles and passports – a handy document to share with people who teach, coach or work with your child that explains how to support your child in the best possible way.
• Supporting the achievement of deaf children in education – a series of resources for education professionals that set out simple tips for deaf-friendly teaching. To support children in early years settings, primary school, secondary school, special schools, and young people in further education, higher education and apprenticeships.