HARLOW MP Robert Halfon discusses issues affecting deaf children in Essex with deaf young campaigner

Mr Halfon met with representatives from the National Deaf Children’s Society and a young deaf campaigner last Monday (1 October) to talk about the future of deaf children’s education in the region.

Jovita, 14, from London, met Mr Halfon at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham and the pair discussed key issues affecting deaf children, including vital education funding and the gap in attainment between deaf children and their hearing peers throughout Essex.

The meeting comes as deaf children’s services across the country face cuts of £4 million this year.

Jessica Reeves, Campaigns Manager at National Deaf Children’s Society, said:

“It’s great to see MPs like Robert Halfon coming to meet young deaf people to hear about the daily challenges they have to face.

“Deafness is not a learning disability and when deaf children get the support they need at school, there are no limits to what they can achieve. However, deaf children in Essex are currently falling a grade behind their hearing classmates at GCSE.

“Meetings like this are an excellent way for deaf children like Jovita to talk to MPs about the barriers they face in their education and how we can all work together to overcome them.”