In March 2019, British Deaf Association (Northern Ireland) held an Audiology Seminar in Northern Ireland for health professionals involved in the care pathway of deaf children and young people and their families.
Presenters at the event included academics, representatives from health services, representatives from BDA NI projects, a young deaf person and a parent of a young deaf child.
Following this seminar, the BDA has produced a report, of which some of the aims are:
- To provide evidence to change perceptions of health professionals about sign language as an option for deaf children;
- To demonstrate the benefits of inclusive and comprehensive information for families with newly diagnosed deaf babies and children;
- To assist professionals in raising confidence amongst parents that their deaf child can develop language and achieve the same life outcomes as their non-deaf peers.
To enable health professionals, working alongside deaf children, young people and their families, to implement change, the report includes a series of practical recommendations for health and social care professionals and policy-makers, based on these presentations.
You can read the report and recommendations in full on the BDA website under the ‘What We Do’ – ‘Research and Consultations’ tab
The event was made possible by funding secured from the Department for Communities through their Sign Language Partnership Group.
Our thanks go to the Department of Communities for funding this event, all of the presenters and contributors to the seminar and the report, and all of those who attended the seminar.
