We call NHS England and all UK audiology services to ensure that hearing parents of deaf children are given balanced, evidence-based information, including the importance of British Sign Language (BSL).

Too many families are still told:

Don't use sign language.

Focus on speech language.

This advice is outdated, harmful and not supported by current research.

Why this matters:

Deaf children need full access to language from the very beginning.

When parents are discouraged from sign language:

Children are language deprivation.

Communication at home become limited.

Emotional connection and development can suffer.

Long-term mental health may be affected.

Sign language does not prevent speech development.

Using both sign language and spoken language supports stronger communication and development.

What we asking for:

we urge all audiology services to:

This applies not only to audiology services, but also to Teacher of Deaf and all professionals working with deaf children, to ensure families receive consistent and balanced information.

Provide balanced information about both spoken language and BSL.

Stop advising parents to avoid or delay sign language.

Promote a bilingual approach (BSL and spoken language).

Ensure families understands the risks of language deprivation. 

Include deaf voices and lived experience in guidance and training.

Why this must change:

This is not just a communication issue- it is a human rights issue.

Every deaf child has the right to:

Language.

Connection.

Identity.

No families should be guided away from giving their child full access to communication.

No professional should advise against giving a child access to language.

Personal statment:

As a deaf adult and parent, i know the impact of communication barriers. Deaf children don't need restriction- they need access.

Sign language is not a failure. It is a foundation for language, connection and identity.

Give deaf children language first.

Everything else can grow from there.