Farron signs up to programme to help deaf youngsters reach their potential

10.32.31am GMT Wed 17th Sep 2008

Young deaf people are five times more likely to be unemployed than other young people. That was the finding made by local MP Tim Farron as he met with Jackie Ballard, the Chief Executive of RNID, the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, in Bournemouth today.

Young deaf people often fall behind at school due to a lack of support and the fact that hearing impairment is not a visible disability. Tim agreed to be a Parliamentary Champion for young deaf people to help get the support needed to give them confidence and employment skills. Tim has also won praise from the RNID for his early day motion calling for public sector bodies to provide alternative communication services for deaf people.

Tim's work on behalf of young deaf people comes at a time when government continues to cuts adult education budgets in South Lakeland, leading to a reduction in the number of people able to take up sign language classes. Tim is taking up this matter with the Secretary for Life Long Learning, John Denham MP.

"People with hearing impairments are being let down, no more so than younger people who are being needlessly left behind. I am determined to work with young deaf people to help increase awareness of their needs for proper professional support and to make sure that they get a fair deal," said Tim