Togetherness is proud to announce the publication of a dedicated new learning pathway, Understanding your deaf child, designed specifically for hearing parents of deaf children. This marks the first in a new series of resources developed in partnership with BID Services to better support deaf children and their families.
As with all Togetherness learning pathways, ‘Understanding your deaf child’ helps parents tune into both their own emotional wellbeing and the developmental needs of their child. The resource provides information and ideas to help families build strong, attuned relationships.
Kimberley Campbell‑Nottage, Community Coordinator/Parenting Coordinator at BID Services and a member of the deaf community, said:
“Ninety percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents, and for many this may be their first experience of deafness. This resource is designed to support parents in understanding their deaf child’s experience of the world so they can find the best way to care for their development. We want to support as many families as possible to understand more about deafness and to help make the world a friendlier place for deaf children.”
Dr Hazel Douglas MBE, Director at Togetherness, added:
“Finding out that your child is deaf can bring all sorts of big emotions for parents, and it can be difficult to tune into the needs of your baby or young child. This resource is designed to support parents to reflect on their own emotional health as they learn about their child’s communication and developmental needs.”
Understanding your deaf child can be followed as a standalone course, but many parents may also find it beneficial alongside Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager, Togetherness’s flagship pathway on child development, emotional health and wellbeing.
About BID Services
BID Services is a charity which works to break down barriers and create equal access to opportunities and services for people who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, sight impaired, deafblind, or living with other disabilities.
For more information about BID Services visit bid.org.uk
Togetherness Team