EMILY HIGHLIGHTS PLIGHT OF DEAF CHILDREN
A DROMORE girl has helped leave Northern Ireland's decision-makers in no doubt about the plight of deaf children and young people in the province.
Emily Smith, herself deaf, recently briefed a parliamentary reception at the Northern Ireland Assembly on consultation findings that show the province's deaf children and young people are routinely isolated and ignored.
Announced by the National Deaf Children's Society, the findings follow the largest ever consultation of deaf children and young people in the UK.
A staggering 90% of deaf children surveyed said they were denied opportunities to meet other deaf children and over half (52%) said they did not have the chance to engage with hearing peers in mainstream activities; 57 per cent said they needed more support in developing their social lives.
The majority (60%) said they lacked self confidence, while one in four believed hearing people were ignorant about deafness and afraid of communicating with them.
Dromore girl Emily was a case in point until getting involved with NDCS and now believes anything is possible, something she made clear with come suggestions for the Assembly reception.
She said, "I had never met any other deaf children like myself until I got involved with several NDCS courses two years ago; the only time I ever get to see my deaf friend usually is on an NDCS organised activity.
"Other things that I would find helpful would be a NDCS young people's website with blog and noticeboard so that we can keep in touch with friends and find out easily about planned events and activities.
"Teaching short deaf-awareness courses in every school would be good to make other children aware of the difficulties that deafness causes and how to communicate with the deaf effectively.
"Since being involved with NDCS I am no longer embarrassed or anxious about my deafness; they have given me self-confidence and the belief that although deafness may make things a little bit more difficult in life, nothing is impossible."
depressing
Dr. Tyron Woolfe, NDCS Deputy Director of UK Services (Children and young people), said, "The findings from the NDCS consultation make for depressing reading; a culture of low expectation and ignorance mean it is no surprise that so many deaf children and young people feel isolated and ignored."
Dr. Woolfe said there was an urgent need for action to ensure today's generation of deaf children could access opportunities to develop the confidence and communication skills they would need to enjoy their lives.
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Weather for Dromore
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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