DEAF children and their hearing classmates in Northolt spent the day learning all about deafness on Wednesday.

Workshops were organised by the National Deaf Children’s Society, as part of its road show, with an eight ton purple lorry turning into a high-tech classroom.

It visited Gifford Primary School in Greenhill Gardens to pass on support and advice to some of Ealing’s 267 deaf children and their hearing friends, teachers and parents.

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One of the workshops, Look, Smile, Chat, provided advice and tips on how to communicate with a deaf child:      

  • Get their attention with a wave, or a tap on the shoulder
  • Speak one at a time
  • Face them when speaking
  • Don’t cover your mouth
  • Don’t be afraid to use gestures or actions
  • Never give up and say “I’ll tell you later”!

Steven Gardiner, the show’s logistics officer, who is deaf, said: “When a deaf child is struggling with confidence, independence or communication, a visit from the road show can make a real difference.”