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"Everest is the biggest challenge of my life, but if it inspires even one deaf child to believe in themselves, it will be worth it."

A deaf father from Liverpool is preparing for the climb of a lifetime, all to raise vital funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society in honour of his deaf son.

Last month, profoundly deaf mountaineer Michael Woods (@michaelssummits) reached the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in South America. Now he’s preparing for his biggest challenge yet: Mount Everest.

In April this year, Michael will begin his Everest expedition, aiming to become the first deaf British person to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain. He’s doing it for his son Joseph, who is also deaf, and to raise money for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

We supported Joseph and his family from an early age, including helping them secure full-time communication access and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters Joseph needed at school. Michael describes that support as life-changing. And now he’s taking that gratitude all the way to the top of the world!

Michael said: "I want deaf children, including my own, to see that nothing is out of reach for them. The National Deaf Children’s Society stood by us when Joseph needed support at school, and this climb is my way of saying thank you. Without the National Deaf Children’s Society, I don’t think we would have managed. They fought alongside us and made sure Joseph got the support he needed."

Joseph's message to his dad says it all: “I love you and I’m proud of you, Dad.”

Michael’s expedition will involve weeks of acclimatisation, with the full climb expected to take six to eight weeks. He communicates using BSL and will use visual and written methods on the mountain when needed.

Every penny raised through Michael’s climb will help us continue supporting deaf children and families across the UK through our Helpline, online support, and one-to-one guidance.

We’re incredibly proud to support Michael on this journey. Let’s show him how much we’re behind him by sharing your good luck messages and words of encouragement in the comments 💜

"Everest is the biggest challenge of my life, but if it inspires even one deaf child to believe in themselves, it will be worth it."

A deaf father from Liverpool is preparing for the climb of a lifetime, all to raise vital funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society in honour of his deaf son.

Last month, profoundly deaf mountaineer Michael Woods (@michaelssummits) reached the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in South America. Now he’s preparing for his biggest challenge yet: Mount Everest.

In April this year, Michael will begin his Everest expedition, aiming to become the first deaf British person to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain. He’s doing it for his son Joseph, who is also deaf, and to raise money for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

We supported Joseph and his family from an early age, including helping them secure full-time communication access and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters Joseph needed at school. Michael describes that support as life-changing. And now he’s taking that gratitude all the way to the top of the world!

Michael said: "I want deaf children, including my own, to see that nothing is out of reach for them. The National Deaf Children’s Society stood by us when Joseph needed support at school, and this climb is my way of saying thank you. Without the National Deaf Children’s Society, I don’t think we would have managed. They fought alongside us and made sure Joseph got the support he needed."

Joseph's message to his dad says it all: “I love you and I’m proud of you, Dad.”

Michael’s expedition will involve weeks of acclimatisation, with the full climb expected to take six to eight weeks. He communicates using BSL and will use visual and written methods on the mountain when needed.

Every penny raised through Michael’s climb will help us continue supporting deaf children and families across the UK through our Helpline, online support, and one-to-one guidance.

We’re incredibly proud to support Michael on this journey. Let’s show him how much we’re behind him by sharing your good luck messages and words of encouragement in the comments 💜

"Everest is the biggest challenge of my life, but if it inspires even one deaf child to believe in themselves, it will be worth it."

A deaf father from Liverpool is preparing for the climb of a lifetime, all to raise vital funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society in honour of his deaf son.

Last month, profoundly deaf mountaineer Michael Woods (@michaelssummits) reached the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in South America. Now he’s preparing for his biggest challenge yet: Mount Everest.

In April this year, Michael will begin his Everest expedition, aiming to become the first deaf British person to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain. He’s doing it for his son Joseph, who is also deaf, and to raise money for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

We supported Joseph and his family from an early age, including helping them secure full-time communication access and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters Joseph needed at school. Michael describes that support as life-changing. And now he’s taking that gratitude all the way to the top of the world!

Michael said: "I want deaf children, including my own, to see that nothing is out of reach for them. The National Deaf Children’s Society stood by us when Joseph needed support at school, and this climb is my way of saying thank you. Without the National Deaf Children’s Society, I don’t think we would have managed. They fought alongside us and made sure Joseph got the support he needed."

Joseph's message to his dad says it all: “I love you and I’m proud of you, Dad.”

Michael’s expedition will involve weeks of acclimatisation, with the full climb expected to take six to eight weeks. He communicates using BSL and will use visual and written methods on the mountain when needed.

Every penny raised through Michael’s climb will help us continue supporting deaf children and families across the UK through our Helpline, online support, and one-to-one guidance.

We’re incredibly proud to support Michael on this journey. Let’s show him how much we’re behind him by sharing your good luck messages and words of encouragement in the comments 💜

It’s hot out there! ☀️

So we’re sharing some weather-themed British Sign Language (BSL) signs you can use all summer long – from ‘suncream’ to ‘sunglasses’ 😎

Save this for later and practise the signs together with your deaf child 💜

"The SEND system in England has been failing for a long time – letting down deaf children, families and teachers. The Government must get this right."

We know many parents of deaf children in England are feeling anxious about the proposed Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms.

Simon, Head of Policy and Influencing for England at the National Deaf Children’s Society, explains what families need to know now the consultation has closed, and how we’re continuing to push for deaf children’s needs and families’ voices to be recognised.

Together, we can help shape a stronger, fairer system for every deaf child.

Tap the link in our bio to read more about our thoughts on the proposed changes 🔗

"Before I had Beatrice, I thought ‘baby sign’ classes sounded like a good idea. But when we found out Beatrice was deaf, I realised British Sign Language (BSL) was the way to go for us.

When she was tiny, I attended a couple of family sign courses on Zoom, and when she was 4 months old, we started going to Tiny Talk baby classes. This was great, as it taught me lots of useful signs to use on an everyday basis.

When Beatrice began to talk, her signing dried up, which is apparently very common.

I am very keen that Beatrice has deaf peers and, in future, can feel at home in the deaf community. She currently goes to a mainstream preschool and will go to mainstream primary school in September, so she won’t have the opportunity to be immersed in signing. That’s why it felt like a good idea for me to formally learn some BSL – that way, I can support her when she has more interest.

Having done a short introductory course funded by our local family group, I had the good fortune to get a place on the Level 1 BSL course with the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD), which was funded by the National Deaf Children’s Society in partnership with Family Fund.

It was really helpful to be in a class of parents and close family of young deaf children, as we all had the same motivation and shared experience. I found the course harder than I expected, with lots to memorise and some finer points of BSL (which I still haven’t grasped)!

It definitely gave me more confidence and knowledge to extend my SSE (Sign Supported English) with Beatrice, and she has become increasingly interested in signing. Recently, we were in a café, and a Deaf woman saw us signing, and we managed to have a chat in BSL!

Having passed my Level 1, I’ve enrolled in Level 2 with RAD, which is also funded by the Family Fund. My challenge now is to try to remember what I’ve learned! I have some opportunities to practise this fascinating language, as our Teacher of the Deaf (ToD) is a fluent signer, and I have various friends and acquaintances who are learning.

My hope is that with a basis of SSE, Beatrice will be able to pick up BSL fairly easily when she is ready to do so."

From everyone at the National Deaf Children’s Society…congratulations, @michaelssummits!

Becoming the first Deaf British person to reach the summit of Mount Everest is an extraordinary achievement, and we’re so proud of everything you’ve accomplished for deaf children and families across the UK.

Now for the final challenge – a safe descent! We’ll all be cheering you on every step of the way 💜

When Matilda was identified as deaf at just 5 weeks old, her mum Charlotte felt completely lost.

But with support from the National Deaf Children’s Society, everything changed.

One of our advice and guidance officers helped Charlotte understand what Matilda was entitled to, including access to the right nursery setting. They were also able to learn British Sign Language (BSL) together, after we provided funding to a local group for deaf children and their families.

Now? Matilda is making strong friendships, growing in confidence, and even gets split up from her friends at nursery for talking too much!

Your support could help more deaf children and families get the vital help they need.

Please donate today by tapping the link in our bio 🔗

Anything is possible 💜

We’ve teamed up with @Nextofficial to create a special edition George Pig t-shirt. Mum Lenna surprised her two boys with some brand new t-shirts, and it's clear to see they love them!

Earlier this year, the Pig family found out that George has moderate hearing loss in one ear, and he got his first hearing aid. This story shows that with the right support, deaf children can achieve anything.

You can order your t-shirt via the link in our bio 👆

@OfficialPeppa @themummydiaryuk

Learn British Sign Language (BSL) together 💜

Children, young people and families can start learning BSL basics with our new flashcards, created in partnership with @signaturedeaf.

Each card includes: a hand-drawn illustration of a sign; a clear written description; and a QR code linking to a video demonstration from a BSL user. You’ll also find 10 top tips for being deaf aware.

Topics covered include:
• colours
• everyday life
• family and friends
• feelings
• food and drink
• greetings

Order your free pack to start learning and practising BSL at home, link in bio 👆

"They're already visible, already part of me, so they might as well be beautiful."

Adi shares how her own deaf identity journey led her to create an Etsy shop.

"I've worn hearing aids since I was 2. They're just part of me – as normal as my hands or my hair. I've never really understood why some people want to hide theirs. I've met young people my age who tuck their aids under their hair so nobody can see. I understand that those feelings are real for them, but I've never felt that way myself. For me, my hearing aids are just me – part of my identity, something I'm proud of.

When I was very little, I needed chemotherapy to get rid of a brain tumour. The treatment I needed to get better affected my hearing, and it's been getting worse over the years. I started out with moderate hearing loss, and now, I’m profound in one ear, severe in the other. Right now, I'm going through assessments to see whether a cochlear implant might help me. It's a big thing to think about. But my deaf identity – that's not something I'd ever change. It's me.

When I started making things with resin – colours, glitter, tiny shapes set inside clear resin – it felt completely natural to start making something for hearing aids. Not because I wanted to make them less visible. But because they're already visible, already part of me, so they might as well be beautiful.

The first charm I made was for myself – a little crescent moon in deep blue resin with tiny stars set inside it. I attached it to my hearing aid and loved it immediately. Not because it changed how I felt about my hearing aids, but because it was fun. And it made me smile.

I recently opened an Etsy shop called Glitter Glow Resin. I make handmade resin charms that clip onto hearing aids and cochlear implants, as well as jewellery and keyrings. Every charm is unique – no 2 ever come out exactly the same, which is my favourite thing about making them. In fact, I do my best to make each one special. I particularly love it when customers ask me for their favourite colours, a bit of extra sparkle or a detail that means something to them.

The hearing aid charms are ..."

Read the full blog by tapping the link in our bio 🔗

Deaf children cannot continue to be left behind by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Our response to today’s SEND reform announcement in the King’s Speech.

Deaf children cannot continue to be left behind by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Our response to today’s SEND reform announcement in the King’s Speech.

Deaf children cannot continue to be left behind by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Our response to today’s SEND reform announcement in the King’s Speech.

Deaf children cannot continue to be left behind by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Our response to today’s SEND reform announcement in the King’s Speech.

Deaf children cannot continue to be left behind by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Our response to today’s SEND reform announcement in the King’s Speech.

Deaf children cannot continue to be left behind by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.

Our response to today’s SEND reform announcement in the King’s Speech.

The National Deaf Children's Society is heading to @deafexpouk!

We’re excited to taking part in the brand new DeafEXPO event at the Birmingham NEC later this week on 15 and 16 May.

Come and visit us at our stall (441 in Hall 10) where we'd love to connect with you and share more about who we are and what we do. We'll also be sharing:

• Information and guidance

• Details on how we support deaf children, their families and professionals who work with deaf children

• Practical support on how we can help you

To find out more about DeafEXPO, head to their website, link in bio 👆

Whether you’re a parent, professional, deaf, or just want to learn more, come and say hello, we’d love to meet you there.

#DeafEXPO #DeafCommunity #BSL #DeafChildren

“A deaf child has no limits. They can achieve absolutely anything.”

As Deaf Awareness Week comes to an end, we asked @jodieounsley and other deaf role models during the #LondonMarathon weekend: what would you say to a parent who’s just found out their child is deaf?

These answers say it all 💜

@youleanmeup #DeafAwarenessWeek