Local MP Katy Clark voiced her support for the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) Scotland campaign to gather accurate data on the number of deaf children in Scotland.
The campaign aims to get a national register of deaf children in Scotland to ensure that they are getting the appropriate support in all public services.
Katy spoke of the respected work by the late Margaret Highet, a former Largs resident and Labour Councillor who was an ardent campaigner on deaf issues particularly in children’s education. One of Margaret’s greatest achievements was the introduction of “Code 56”, which ensured that there is a mandatory qualification for all Teachers of Deaf pupils. Katy Clark MP stated, “Margaret’s work in getting deaf children taught more effectively in school was an inspiration. She campaigned endlessly on behalf of children with impaired hearing to ensure that the government produced policy which addressed the unique learning techniques that are required. The “Pick a Number” campaign will ensure that Scotland knows how many deaf children it needs to support, and that the services required to support them are properly in place.
She continued, “I have written to NHS North Ayrshire and Arran and North Ayrshire Educational Services to find out how many deaf children there are within my constituency, and what services are provided to support them with their diagnosis, progress and educational development.”
NDCS argue that despite the Newborn Hearing Screening tests there is still not a nationally agreed register of deaf children. Furthermore, they estimate that there is approximately double the amount of deaf pupils than the official School census reports.
Katy said, “I am endorsing the National Deaf Children’s Society’s campaign for better data collection on deaf children. Only by knowing how many deaf children there are in Scotland can we be sure that public services are effectively working to get it right for every deaf child.”