Growing up deaf, I have personally experienced the unique and significant setbacks that can occur due to communication difficulties. This hardship has now extended into my professional life, as I embark on a career in Child Care. I am pained by the knowledge that many other deaf individuals face similar challenges.

The crux of this issue is that the education for Child Development providers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing lacks sufficient communication and support evaluation measures. Without these, it becomes incredibly difficult for us to perform at our best.

According to a research study conducted by the National Deaf Children's Society, deaf children and young people are being left behind at every stage of education (NDCS, 2019). This gap in achievement isn’t necessarily due to the child’s ability, rather the lack of suitable support mechanisms in place. Applying this same understanding to child development providers with hearing impairments, it becomes exceedingly clear that there is an urgent need for necessary adaptations in their educational settings.

By making communication more accessible, we can ensure that aspiring Child Development professionals, regardless of their hearing ability, are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to provide the best care possible. This includes the requirement of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting in their training and career advancement opportunities.

Addressing these issues won't just make a difference to individual lives; it has the potential to elevate the standard of Child Care and Development as a whole.

Make the change today and sign our petition, urging all relevant education authorities to improve the educational opportunities for Child Development providers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Let's demand better! Sign our petition to ensure equal opportunities for all.