New research shows that deaf children and young people are being denied opportunities to engage with hearing peers in mainstream activities. The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) recently conducted the UK's largest ever consultation of deaf children and young people.

Over half (52%) of deaf children told us they don't have the chance to engage with hearing children and yet we know that many mainstream youth organisations often don't know how to effectively include deaf children in their work.

In light of the consultation findings, NDCS is launching a Me 2 campaign to better equip local mainstream youth organisations with the skills they need to provide a fully accessible service to deaf children and young people. We have already produced a booklet in partnership with the Scouting Association to help all Scout leaders be deaf friendly.

We are here to support deaf children and young people, as well as their families, but to achieve our vision of a world without barriers for every deaf child we do need local organisations to work with us. So please contact us at me2@ndcs.org.uk or visit www.ndcs.org.uk/me2 to get involved.

Dr Tyron Woolfe

Deputy Director

National Deaf Children's Society

London EC1Y 8UR