Norwich South MP pledges to continue pressure on government for better BSL support
Clive Lewis campaigns for improved access to sign language tuition for families of deaf children
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis has called upon the government to enhance support for families of deaf children in learning British Sign Language (BSL).
In a detailed correspondence to the Minister for Children and Families, Lewis highlighted a critical gap in access to affordable and timely BSL tuition for hearing parents of deaf children.
This issue was brought to attention following research from the University of East Anglia, which emphasises the importance of early language development in aiding children's communication skills, learning capacity, and overall wellbeing.
Each year, around 45,000 children are born deaf in the UK, often to hearing parents who struggle with accessing BSL education.
Despite its significance in childhood development, BSL tuition is mostly limited to basic levels and is often dependent on charity support, with little state provision.
Clive Lewis has urged the government to evaluate existing support and consider regional disparities in BSL availability.
He questioned the current measures in place and requested information on further steps to extend BSL teaching, especially beyond basic levels.
Lewis highlighted the additional burden faced by families with lower incomes, who are unable to afford private tuition and may experience delays or complications in accessing online resources.
"What's the point of being the 6th richest economy in the world if we can't do these things, if we can't do things that make everyone's life better?" Clive said.
While prioritising support for children born deaf, Lewis acknowledged the importance of extending accessible learning opportunities to individuals who lose hearing later in life.
"The ability to sign is one that we should all have, if I'm honest" Clive said.
He insisted that the educational system should provide a critical resource for all parents and children, fostering communication and development.
"Our goal should be to ensure that every child, every parent, is equipped with the necessary tools to communicate effectively," Lewis said.
The Department of Education have been invited to comment.