The Access Foundation has approved a grant of just over £50,000 for the National Deaf Children's Society.

The National Deaf Children's Society is the leading UK-wide charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and their families.

There are over 50,000 deaf children and young people in the UK. The National Deaf Children's Society helps deaf children and young people thrive by providing impartial, practical and emotional support to them and their families, and by challenging society to meet their needs.

With the right support deaf children can do anything other children can do - it is the charity’s ambition that by 2030, no deaf child will be left behind – at school, in their community or at home.

The funding from The Access Foundation will support an expansion of the Family Sign Language programme, providing on-line and weekend courses for whole families to learn sign language together.

The nature of the programme will mean that a much greater number of families will be able to access the core skills required to learn these critical techniques and communication skills, sign language plays a vital role in boosting confidence and wellbeing of deaf children and helps to build bonds between the children and their families.

“This funding will allow us to deliver additional FSL online courses and in-person weekend events, leading to vital early years communication development for deaf children and helping to set them on the path for a positive future.”

Susan Daniels OBE, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society commented:

“A huge thank you to the Access Foundation for their generous grant to support our Family Sign Language service. Following on from our brilliant charity of the year partnership with The Access Group, it is fantastic that we can continue to expand our relationship further.

Demand from families for our FSL courses continues to grow year after year. This funding will allow us to deliver additional FSL online courses and in-person weekend events, leading to vital early years communication development for deaf children and helping to set them on the path for a positive future.”