Debate contribution: Support for Deaf Children

Debate contribution by Mr Colin Crawford on 21 October 2024.

MLA

Mr Colin Crawford

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

21 October 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Support for Deaf Children

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4604191

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thought that I was getting off lightly. At the outset of my remarks, I put on record my thanks, my party's thanks and, hopefully, the thanks of all Members to every single teacher of the deaf, classroom assistant and support staff member who work extremely hard each day to care for, support and educate each and every one of our deaf children.

I thank them and give special thanks to Déirdre Vaughan and her team at the National Deaf Children's Society.

We gather to address and speak on an issue that affects not only the future of our children but the very fabric of our society: the critical lack of specialist teachers for the deaf and insufficient specialist educational support for learners with disabilities across Northern Ireland. In a world that increasingly celebrates diversity, equality and inclusion, it is disheartening to acknowledge that many of our children who are deaf or hard of hearing still face significant barriers to accessing quality education. Ideally, our education system is designed to uplift and empower all students, but it has left behind a substantial segment: the deaf community. Specialist teachers do not just facilitate learning; they cultivate an environment in which students can thrive, build their confidence and develop essential life skills. They are the advocates who understand the nuances of sign language, auditory processing and inclusive teaching strategies. Without them, we deny children not only an education but the opportunity to realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to society. Furthermore, it is essential to recognise that the need for specialised educational support does not end with teachers. Schools must provide adequate resources such as assistive technologies, interpreters and tailored curricula to create an inclusive environment in which deaf students can flourish alongside their hearing peers. Unfortunately, funding shortages and a lack of awareness often hinder that progress, leaving many students struggling in silence. The responsibility to act decisively lies with each of us: educators, policymakers, community leaders and advocates. We must increase our commitment to training and retaining specialist educators in our schools. That includes investing in targeted professional development opportunities and community awareness campaigns that emphasise the importance of deaf education. We must also work tirelessly to allocate appropriate funding to ensure that schools have the tools and resources necessary to support all learners. I will touch on some Members' remarks. Danny Baker started off by discussing early interventions and the right to support. He stressed the importance of having an education system for all. Danny, we can all aim for and strive towards that. David Brooks of the DUP gave the stat that there are over 1,400 deaf children or young people in Northern Ireland. David, like you, I am not an expert, but I join you in taking on the challenge and the opportunity to engage at the Education Committee and in the House to improve services for everyone. Nick Mathison recorded his thanks to the EA sensory service, but he stressed the fact that the service is experiencing pressures. Nick, we agree on that. He also spoke about the decline in the workforce and frustration about the need to travel for qualifications. One thing that I loved in what Peter Martin said was about teachers' and families' expectations of what deaf children can and cannot do. Peter, there is a challenge not only for teachers but for us all in how we look at and treat deaf young people and what we expect of them. That really challenged me in how I view people.

Let us reflect on our shared responsibility to advocate for the rights and needs of every child. As has been said, we cannot be complacent. We each have a role to play in shaping a more inclusive education system in which every child, regardless of their hearing ability, has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.

Let us stand together, united in our commitment to championing the needs of deaf children and ensuring that no child is left behind. Together, we can build a brighter future, one that truly reflects the diversity and potential of our education system.

692 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not qualifying

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:25 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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