A guide for dads with deaf children
Some dads with deaf children feel overlooked and excluded by support groups and service providers, so in response, The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) has produced a guide to help them.
The guide is free and includes real life experiences of fathers with deaf children, how they’ve come to terms with having a deaf child and how to come to terms with the situation. It also includes information on deafness in general, how to communicate with a deaf child and where to go for family support.
Leigh Holdway, NDCS Fathers Project Officer, says:“Three babies are born deaf in the UK every day, and 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents with little experience of deafness, so it is essential that both mothers and fathers are engaged fully by service providers. This guide will provide fathers with deaf children a chance to see how others have dealt with similar situations and offer them reassurance and information on parenting a deaf child.”
Dads (and mums) who are concerned about their child’s hearing can contact the NDCS Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice and text) or email helpline@ndcs.org.uk open 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday, or access the website at www.ndcs.org.uk where there is also a dedicated area for fathers.
Anyone interested in ordering a free copy of ‘You and your deaf child: A guide for fathers’ can contact Leigh Holdway on 020 70141113 or e-mail at leigh@ndcs.org.uk.
