What are the implications of the #SENDReview for deaf children?
with Justin Cooke, National Children’s Deaf Society I’ve got two deaf boys. They’ve experienced some of the best and the worst that the English SEND system has to offer, under …
Category: deaf
Why it’s vital for Deaf children’s futures that British Sign Language becomes law
with Mike Hobday, Director of Policy & Campaigns, National Deaf Children’s Society I learned the British Sign Language (BSL) alphabet as a child in the Brownies. Because of this, I …
We need more awareness that pandemic life is far from an equal experience
“It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it”… the Star Trek (mis)quote sums up 2020 for most people. Even if your family has escaped a serious coronavirus infection or, …
Savage cuts to support staff leave deaf children in England fighting for their futures
So far, the SEND reforms have not been kind to deaf children and young people. Despite a series of ground-breaking advances in deaf educational research, practice and technology over the …
Why the next government must make investing in new teachers of the deaf a priority
with Ian Noon of the National Deaf Children’s Society I’ve got two deaf sons. They’re brighter than I am. They’re more focused than I am. They work harder in the …
The Deafblind world: The ‘Shoeness’ of a Shoe
Imagine a world you can neither see nor hear, yet you must find a way to grow and thrive within it, feeling your way, using the senses you do have …
Nine out of 10 parents fear for their deaf child’s education amid the SEND crisis
Let’s walk in a parallel world for a bit. A world where there’s never been a better time to be a deaf child than right now. In this world, deafness …
Overcoming barriers to help my deaf children succeed
I’ve got two deaf boys. They’re brighter than I am. They’re more determined than I am. They work harder in the course of a single day than I do in …
Tackling the lack of diversity in books for deaf children
It’s Deaf Awareness Week and a new book has been published, written to boost deaf awareness and tackle the lack of diversity in children’s book characters. The book, an inspiring adventure …
Sense Work Towards Equal Access to Healthcare for the Deafblind
I was recently asked to write a SEND travel article for the Telegraph. After I had picked myself up from the floor (I am after all neither a travel expert, nor …
Have your say to lift the barriers to play for children with complex disabilities
Sense, the charity that helps people who are deafblind or who have sensory impairments, are running a public inquiry into the provision of play opportunities for children aged 0-5 with multiple needs in …
Speech and Language problems? It could be glue ear.
One of the questions you are likely to be asked if your child is assessed by a speech and language therapist is, “has their hearing been tested?” The link between …
SEND reforms #1YearOn only 6% of deaf children see support improvement
We don’t like being negative at SNJ. We really want to be able to write about good practice, great resources and inspirational stories. But the Special Educational Needs and Disability …
Why SEND department targets mean ‘culture change’ reform may never happen
Today’s guest post, from father of two deaf sons, Matt Keer, may shock you. It may, as it did to me, bring you to the edge of angry tears. It’s like …
NSPCC video released to help protect deaf children from sexual abuse
Earlier this year the NSPCC launched guidance called the “Underwear Rule” to help protect children from sexual abuse. To coincide with Deaf Awareness Week, the charity is launching a video version …