Language Deprivation is a cruel and harsh reality for many deaf children. In the UK alone, 4 babies are born deaf each day, with 90% of these born to hearing parents with little to no knowledge of sign languages (NDCS).

When deaf children are not able to fully access signed or spoken language they are faced with many lasting effects. ‘Cognitive delays, mental health challenges, lower quality of life, higher trauma, and limited health literacy’ are just a few of these, with evidence suggesting ‘permanent brain changes’ when children are not able to access any language fully during their critical early years (Hall, 2017).

The rights of deaf children to signed language are not explicit, and many people, including hearing parents, are not ever made aware of these concerns. 

The United Nations has a duty to ensure that every child gets the access to language they deserve.

The UN Rights of the Child (Article 19) explicitly states many examples of neglect, yet language deprivation is not mentioned once. The vital significance of signed communication is thus unknown by many officials, parents and schools.

The Rights of the Child are thorough, sound, and undoubtedly beneficial. This cannot be denied. They are lacking in one key area, however – the Right to Language.

Therefore, I present two calls to action:

1- Broaden or develop the Rights of the Child to include the Right to Language.

2- Broaden the description of ‘neglect’ as present in the Rights of the Child Article 19 documentation to include, explicitly, language deprivation.

Taking these steps will help to ensure that no Deaf child is left behind.