Mohammad Asghar AM and Angela Burns AM have signed a New Year’s Resolution in support of the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) Cymru campaign to make new school, nursery and college buildings accessible to children with hearing loss.
The campaign highlights how acoustic standards for school buildings have often been ignored, leaving children across Wales struggling to learn in noisy and echoing classrooms.
Poor acoustics in schools create a barrier to learning for all children, but present a particular barrier for children with hearing loss. There are more than 1,700 deaf pupils in Wales. Furthermore, 80 per cent of all children will experience temporary hearing loss before they reach the age of ten.
Shadow Minister for Equalities, Mr Asghar said: “I was alarmed when I learnt about the difficulties that school children with hearing loss face when trying to follow their teacher in a classroom with poor acoustics.
“I am delighted to offer my support to NDCS’ campaign, the aims of which would make a real difference to deaf children.
“I am calling on my fellow Assembly Members to back the campaign and give deaf children the best chance of achieving their full potential at school.”
Ms Burns, Shadow Minister for Education, added: “It is vital that all children are given the chance to access the National Curriculum.
“If a child has a disability it is imperative that we seek to offer the best possible support.
“Building schools that fail to meet access criteria on a fundamental basis must not be allowed to continue.”
Jayne Dulson, NDCS Cymru Director, says: “It is fantastic that Mohammad Asghar and Angela Burns are supporting our campaign on this vital issue.
“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.”
