​New research shows deaf children are missing out on job opportunities and the chance to go to university

Deaf young people are nine times more likely to leave school without any qualifications compared to their hearing peers.

New research published by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) shows deaf children are missing out on job opportunities and the chance to go to university as a result.

The charity’s Close the Gap report discovered 8.9% of deaf school pupils who left in 2013 had no qualifications compared to just 1% of those with no additional support needs.

We need to address the needs of deaf learners, tackle the inequalities that persist for them and close the attainment gap - Tam Baillie

It is now calling on the Scottish Government to urgently recognise and commit to closing the attainment gap for the country’s 3,500 deaf children.

The report found that when deaf young people leave school just 26% go to university compared to 39% of their peers.

Only around one-in-seven deaf people move onto employment, whereas one in four hearing people managed to find a job on completing school or further education.

“This research tells us that too many deaf young people are being left behind academically and socially in Scotland,” said Heather Gray, director of Scotland at the National Deaf Children’s Society.

“This is simply not good enough. A commitment to closing the attainment gap is a commitment to tackling the inequalities that persist for this group.

“All young people have a right to reach their full potential and the NDCS is committed to working in partnership across sectors to make this a reality for all deaf children and young people.”

The research was carried out on behalf of NDCS by the University of Edinburgh and the charity says it highlights the clear contributing factors to the gap in levels as the provision of additional support in schools and a lack of planning to support deaf young people moving on.

Responding to the report Tam Baillie, Scotland’s commissioner for children and young people, welcomed the research, adding it highlights an issue that needs to be addressed.

“Deaf young people have the right to the same opportunities as any other young person in Scotland to reach their full potential,” he said.

“However, at present they’re more likely to leave school without qualifications, less likely to enter higher education, and less likely to be employed than their hearing peers.

“If we want to ensure all our young people are ready to succeed when they leave school, we need to address the needs of deaf learners, tackle the inequalities that persist for them and close the attainment gap between them and their peers.”

The National Deaf Children’s Society’s Close the Gap report will be available online from 30 April.