Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman recently met with the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) Cymru to support their ‘Let’s Make a New Year’s Resolution that Sounds Good’ campaign which aims to make schools accessible to children with a hearing loss. The campaign calls on Assembly Members to sign up to a special New Year’s Resolution in support of good acoustics in new school, college and nursery buildings.
Mrs Chapman said “It was good to be able to learn more about how poor acoustics can affect deaf young people at school. Barriers such as this must be broken down if we want to give deaf children the best chance of achieving their full academic potential”.
Research published by NDCS Cymru reveals that acoustic regulations for new school buildings are often ignored, leaving children across Wales struggling to learn in noisy and echoing classrooms. Less than a third of schools built in Wales between 2003 and 2010 received any input from an acoustic expert. It also shows that just 11 per cent of schools built during this time were tested to check that they met acoustic standards
Mrs Chapman said: “I fully support the campaign to improve acoustics in schools across Wales and I am calling on my fellow Assembly Members to follow suit so that we succeed in putting the issue firmly on the political agenda.”
Jayne Dulson, NDCS Cymru Director, said: “We are delighted that Christine is supporting our campaign. Good acoustics in schools are important for all children, but particularly so for deaf children. Although many deaf children use devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants to access sound, these become almost useless in noisy classrooms. We now need the Welsh Government take action on this important issue.”
