National Deaf Children's Society

The National Deaf Children's Society is the leading charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people.

Our visions and values reflect the fact that we remain essentially a parents' organisation, dedicated to the needs of all deaf children, their families and carers. We provide a seamless service supporting families with deaf children from birth to 25.

Things you should know

• There are over 45,000 deaf children living in the UK.
• 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents with little or no experience of deafness or knowledge of how to communicate with a deaf person.
• Four babies are born deaf every day.
• 40% of deaf children have additional needs.
• 57% of deaf children failed to achieve 5 GCSEs (including English and Maths) at grades A* to C in 2013, compared to 30% of other children.
• Without the right support, deaf children and young people are vulnerable to isolation, abuse, bullying, poor self-esteem and low levels of achievement.
• Research suggests that more than 77% of school-aged deaf children in the UK attend mainstream schools where is no specialist provision and in which they may be the only deaf child enrolled.
• Deafness is not a learning disability. There is no reason why the majority of deaf children should achieve any less than hearing children.
• Deaf children need to be able to communicate effectively, access information and influence the world around them by any appropriate method whether through sign language, oral communication or a combination of approaches.

Our mission

To remove the barriers to the achievement of deaf children throughout the world.

Our values

Change-focused
Everything we do is targeted to bring us closer to our mission of a world without barriers for every deaf child. Whether challenging key decision makers or working collaboratively with other organisations, we will adopt whatever approach is required to achieve our mission.

Accountable
As a membership organisation, we are accountable for everything we do, both to our members and to the deaf children and young people we are here to serve.

Empowering
We believe that with the right support, deaf children can do anything other children can do. We empower deaf children, young people and their families to make informed choices and influence decisions affecting them. This approach is carried through into everything we do.

Inclusive
We aim to support all deaf children and young people, but put particular focus on those who most need our support. This includes deaf children from families in poverty, those with additional complex needs and those from a black and minority ethnic background.

We believe that

• Deaf children can do anything other children can do, given early diagnosis and the right support from the start.
• Deaf children should be involved in decisions which affect them at as early an age as possible.
• Families are the most important influence on deaf children and young people, and need clear, balanced information to make informed choices.
• Effective language and communication skills lie at the centre of deaf children and young people’s social, emotional and intellectual development.
• Deaf children should be valued by society and have the same opportunities as any other child