Fife Mum wants home lessons to have subtitles to aid deaf daughter
Sam Braid fears her 12-year-old girl Niamdh will be left behind with schools closed for most pupils until at least mid-February
Last updated 20th Jan 2021
A Fife mum's worried her deaf child will be left behind due to the extension of remote learning.
Sam Braid's 12-year-old girl Niamdh can't understand her lessons as they lack subtitles or sign language.
Yesterday the First Minister confirmed schools won't open for the majority of pupils until at least mid-February.
That's concerning news for the Glenrothes mum.
"In the second lockdown, Niamdh has not had any additional support. Any work she's had sent through, has been in the same format as all of her hearing peers," said Ms Braid.
"I am, like most parents, concerned about what learning is being risked, and the attainment gap between deaf and hearing pupils increasing further.
"When Niamdh's in classrooms, she's used to the direct input of hearing kids for example. So subtitles on videos allows her to access exactly what's being said.
The concerns are being shared by the National Deaf Children's Society. Policy and Campaigns Officer, Lois Drake said: “Although schools are better prepared for remote learning this time, many online lessons are still completely inaccessible and lack subtitles or British Sign Language translation
"Deaf children already achieve less than hearing children at school and we cannot allow that gap to get wider.
“Now that they will be closed for even longer, schools and colleges must act fast to make sure deaf pupils can understand their lessons and access specialist support.
"The Scottish Government also has a major role to play by strengthening its guidance and making it clear that deaf pupils should get what they need to succeed.
“Deaf children have the same right to an education as every other child. They must not be left to struggle on alone.”