Physical disability
- Choosing To Talk - an information sheet for parents and families with deaf babies
- Disabled Parents Network - support services available
- Early Excellence Partnership Project - for children with visual impairment
- Helping your deaf child to learn
- More about physical disability and early language development
Choosing To Talk
An information sheet from DELTA, Deaf Education through Listening and Talking, for parents and families with recently diagnosed deaf babies and children. It offers a starting point for making an informed choice regarding a child's future education. For more information visit the DELTA website.
Disabled Parents Network
The Disabled Parents Network is a group of disabled parents who believe that disabled people have the right to have children and to be properly supported to carry out that right. It offers a range of services and support, including a helpline, contact with other disabled parents, a quarterly newsletter for members, training sessions, speakers and workshop leaders for conferences and a website with news and information. It also campaigns for improvements in services to disabled parents and works on raising awareness of related issues. For more information visit the Disabled Parents Network.
Early Excellence Partnership Project
The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) runs an Early Excellence Partnership Project, with support from Sure Start, for children (from birth to five years) with visual impairment. For more information contact the RNIB helpline 0845 766 9999 (for details of your nearest regional centre) or visit the RNIB website. For RNIB Early Years publications phone 0845 702 3153.
Helping your deaf child to learn
The National Deaf Children's Society has produced a practical guide for parents called Helping your deaf child to learn. The guide pulls together advice from education experts and parents of deaf children. It covers a range of topics including playtime, toys, reading and sharing books, television, video and subtitles, writing, numbers and maths. It suggests that everyday events like bath time, mealtimes and shopping trips can help to develop deaf children's vocabulary, use of language and understanding of the world around them. Copies are available from the NDCS helpline on 0808 800 8880 or email helpline@ndcs.org.uk. For more information visit the National Deaf Children's Society.
