Latest news with #NationalDeafChildren'sSociety
STV News
29-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Deaf teen who won fight for interpreter hails classroom reform for BSL users
A deaf teenager who won a legal fight for an interpreter in the classroom has welcomed the passing of a bill that will legally recognise students and teachers who use British Sign Language (BSL). Niamdh Braid, 16, has been deaf since birth and has hearing aids, but her first choice of language is BSL. Last year, Niamdh took legal action against Fife Council after being denied access to an interpreter in her classes, despite attending Auchmuty High School, which is designated as a base for deaf support services. Her dad argued the lack of support had 'denied her full access to learning for her whole school career.' The tribunal ruled in Niamdh's favour, finding she had been placed at a 'substantial disadvantage' without BSL interpretation. Reflecting on her experience, she told STV News: 'I've been so tired from having to focus on lip reading, piecing bits of sentences together that I've missed, and then having to write stuff down while trying to lip read. 'Then if I'm writing something down, I'm then missing what the teacher's saying at that point, but if I don't write it down, then I'm going to miss what they're saying because I don't have it written down, so I don't have those notes.' On Wednesday, MSPs voted to pass reforms to Scotland's Education system by 69 votes to 47. STV News Niamdh has welcomed the new Bill which will help deaf people 'navigate life in a hearing world' The Education Scotland Bill will see the creation of a new authority, Qualifications Scotland, abolishing the current SQA model and a new chief inspector of Education of Scotland. At submission, the bill only included recognition for Gaelic learners but following a year-long campaign headed by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS). George McGowan from the NDCS says the new legislation is a huge milestone for BSL learners. Deaf children are nearly three times as likely to leave school without any qualifications, with the NCDS saying children and young people who use BSL are now protected for the future. George said: 'We feel this is a massive move forward for young deaf children's rights here in Scotland. 'BSL is a vibrant language which gives deaf children and young people access to a rich culture, heritage and identity. 'We're keen to see more people learn British Sign Language to remove the barriers that exist between deaf and hearing people. 'In addition, it helps us educate the hearing community about both the deaf community and deaf culture.' Despite this recognition, members of the BSL community are questioning why it has taken so long for the bill to include the language, despite the British Sign Language Scotland Bill coming into force in October 2015. Niamdh is now heading into her sixth year of high school and has an interpreter to help with her studies. STV News National Deaf Children's Society George McGowan She says she hopes this move can help remove stigma and improve support for younger deaf children. She said: 'At the end of the day, we're in a world that isn't built for us; we're in a world that was built for and by hearing people. We just need that little bit of support to be able to navigate life in a hearing world.' Education secretary Jenny Gilruth MSP said: 'I think this says very strongly to the BSL community that we value them, we want to work with them, we want to make sure that where policy does not reflect their needs, we work to get that right. 'The government did that. It's so important I know to the BSL community that we have that reflected in all that we do, particularly in an education space where we know those entitlements are absolutely fundamental to supporting our young people.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Deaf football manager shares heartfelt message to younger self
George McGowan, who is also the assistant manager of Great Britain Deaf Women and chairman of Glasgow Deaf Athletic Football Club, recorded the message as part of the National Deaf Children's Society's Deaf Awareness Week campaign. He said: "When you have dreams, please don't let other people stop you because you are deaf. "On your journey through life, there will be times where you face barriers and obstacles. "The best way to overcome these barriers is to let people know that you are deaf. "The first time you tell people you're deaf can be nerve-wracking, but you will get more confident." George, who has severe to profound hearing loss and wears hearing aids, was not diagnosed until he was four years old. The 49-year-old, who was brought up in Glasgow but now lives in Paisley, delivered advice he would like to have heard when he was younger. He said: "Always remember if you're feeling less for support. "Many people out there are not very deaf aware. "Don't let that make you feel embarrassed or let it affect your confidence. "Be confident. George has given advice to his younger self (Image: Supplied) "Sometimes being nervous isn't a bad thing. "You might be going to an interview or doing a talk at school. "If you're feeling nervous, that's normal. "That really means that you really, really want to do it.' George's message is one of a series of videos from deaf people to their younger selves, shared by the National Deaf Children's Society on social media during Deaf Awareness Week. Arran Masterman, from the National Deaf Children's Society, said: "We want deaf children and their families to be inspired by these stories and messages of empowerment. "We're encouraging deaf children to embrace their deaf identity and see their uniqueness as a strength. "It's also about raising awareness of deaf experiences. "Whether it's overcoming barriers, finding confidence, or embracing sign language, every story is a celebration of deaf pride and resilience, for deaf children, young people and the wider deaf community. 'The National Deaf Children's Society wants deaf children and young people to keep believing in themselves, keep aiming high, and achieving whatever they want to do.' Anyone looking for advice, support, or information about deafness is invited to visit the National Deaf Children's Society's website or call the society's helpline on 0808 800 8880.
Belfast Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis tells younger self being deaf is ‘your advantage'
Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has told her younger self being deaf is 'your advantage', in a message recorded for the National Deaf Children's Society's Deaf Awareness Week.
Irish Independent
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis tells younger self being deaf is ‘your advantage'
The 30-year-old actress spoke about applying for her first job in the message, conveyed through sign-language. The former EastEnders star said in the video: 'Don't worry too much. I remember you were nervous for your first job interview to work in a supermarket. You will have an amazing time, just believe in yourself Rose Ayling-Ellis 'You were worried and concerned, and you told mum that you didn't know if you would get the job because you are deaf. Forget that, you will get the job. 'When you get the job you will realise your confidence will grow, you will learn that being deaf is actually your advantage. 'It will give you so many opportunities, just learn how to make the most of those opportunities. 'Before you know it, you will have an amazing time, just believe in yourself.' Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf Strictly competitor in 2021, and won series 19 with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice. The Bafta-winning actress is supporting Deaf Awareness Week, which runs from May 5 to 11, alongside last year's Strictly finalist Tasha Ghouri, who spoke about her experience on the show. Former Love Island contestant Ghouri, 26, said: 'You also had struggles with it (a cochlear implant) falling out while you were dancing. 'But you stayed positive and found ways to get through it and to adapt, you managed to find double-sided sticky tape was the way to keep it on. 'Many people send you videos showing them decorating theirs and that's the power of the deaf representation you did on Strictly Come Dancing. 'Your deafness does not define you. It's a part of you that's special and unique. Embrace your differences it's your superpower and that's what makes you truly magical.' The National Deaf Children's Society's A Message To Younger Me initiative aims to celebrate deaf identity, resilience and community. Arran Masterman of the National Deaf Children's Society said: 'We want deaf children and their families to be inspired by these stories and messages of empowerment. We're encouraging deaf children to embrace their deaf identity and see their uniqueness as a strength. 'It's also about raising awareness of deaf experiences. Whether it's overcoming barriers, finding confidence or embracing sign-language, every story is a celebration of deaf pride and resilience, for deaf children, young people and the wider deaf community. 'The National Deaf Children's Society wants deaf children and young people to keep believing in themselves, keep aiming high and achieving whatever they want to do.'
The Guardian
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
‘The only thing we can't do is hear': the deaf pupil who beat Fife council in court
The slogan on Niamdh Braid's powder-blue sweatshirt puts it plainly enough: 'I define my own deaf identity.' 'We're in a world that's built for hearing people,' says the 16-year-old from Glenrothes in Fife, 'and we have to navigate through it to find what works best for us.' Earlier this year, the teenager won a legal battle with her local council to have a British Sign Language interpreter in lessons, after she realised how much of what was said in class she was missing out on. Niamdh, who has been deaf since birth, wears hearing aids, but can struggle to follow in noisy environments and her preferred language is BSL. As a younger child, she didn't have any deaf people she could look up to on TV or on the news. Now she hopes that through her advocacy 'younger deaf kids can look up to me and see that they can achieve anything'. 'A lot of people think that because we can't hear we can't achieve high-earning jobs and go into good professions,' says Niamdh, whose favourite subject is modern studies and who hopes to get into teaching then politics when she grows older. 'But the only thing we can't do is hear – there's nothing actually wrong with us. We can do anything that we put our mind to.' Yet deaf children are eight times more likely to leave school with no qualifications, according to the National Deaf Children's Society, which financially supported Niamdh's legal action. Niamdh was talking in advance of a report by MSPs that will reveal a significant fall in the number of specialist teachers of deaf people in Scotland. It is prompting the NDCS to warn of a 'growing crisis in deaf education' and lack of guidance from local authorities about what kind of support they should be providing deaf children in schools. At high school, she explains, there was an assumption that she did not need support because she was still achieving decent grades. But at Niamdh's tribunal, an independent assessment by a deaf education specialist found she was only accessing 70% of what was being said in class, even when her teacher wore a microphone transmitting to her hearing aids. Her dad, Steve, chips in: 'If she was accessing 100% at the teaching, imagine what she could be achieving. Why should she settle for average just because she's deaf?' Constantly struggling to hear came at a heavy price, and Niamdh was increasingly exhausted. 'I was always tired, asking to go to my bed at four o'clock before I'd had anything to eat.' At weekend she was too tired to go out with her friends. After her request for a BSL interpreter was turned down, first by her school and then by Fife council, Niamdh felt she had no choice: 'At this point it was getting close to my exams and I'd missed so much class already. I wanted to launch the action under my own name because it was for me, and I can voice my needs without the help of my parents.' Giving evidence, she explained that 'it's always a hearing person that makes decisions for the deaf person, and it shouldn't be the case. Because hearing people don't know what it's like to go through life in a world that's not built for them.' Early last year the tribunal ruled that Niamdh was being placed at 'substantial disadvantage', but the appeals process was only concluded this spring. 'When the last appeal got thrown out, it was the biggest relief I've ever felt,' says Niamdh. She went out for a Chinese buffet meal with her parents and younger brother to celebrate. The teenager, who takes part in taekwondo competitions and is a devoted fan of the hospital drama series Grey's Anatomy, says she's very lucky to have a close group of friends she's known since nursery school. 'It's all they've known with their friendship with me: if we're talking they need to face me, make sure there's not too much noise in the background.' She feels strongly that young deaf people should be allowed to make their own choices about what support they access, and that they are not a homogenous group: 'Everyone has their own way of communicating. It's not up to anyone else to decide that. 'It's the kid's choice of what they want to be as a deaf person. If they want to go without aids, if they want to have the hearing technology, if they want to be involved in the deaf community, let them decide.' Fife council's head of education and children's services, Angela Logue, said: 'We are continuing to work very closely with Niamdh and her family to meet her needs as identified by the outcomes of the tribunal.'
