Family
Sign at Home

by the British Deaf Assocation

Every child deserves the right to feel fully included in family life. But for many deaf children, this can be a challenge.

Around 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents, who rarely have prior experience of British Sign Language (BSL).

Without early access to effective communication, these children can experience isolation, and language deprivation may affect their development, education, mental health, and future opportunities.

The British Deaf Association created the Family Sign at Home project to support hearing families of deaf children in learning BSL together.

Its aim was to highlight both the demand for high-quality BSL tuition for families and the transformative impact it can have – especially for hearing parents seeking to communicate more confidently with their deaf child. 

The goal was to break down communication barriers at home, strengthen family bonds, and promote the early language development that deaf children need to thrive.

90%

Why It Matters

  • Language deprivation is preventable. Deaf children need access to a rich, accessible language environment from birth - just like hearing children. BSL provides this.

  • Early communication builds confidence. When families learn BSL together, it not only helps the child but empowers parents to understand, connect, and support their child from the very beginning.

  • Family involvement is key. Studies show that deaf children whose families use sign language at home are more likely to succeed socially, emotionally and academically.

By learning BSL, families open the door to deeper understanding, lifelong communication and true inclusion. Together, we can give every deaf child the gift of language and the chance to thrive in a world that understands them.

Because communication starts at home.

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“She’s so proud to show off her signing now. What felt like a barrier before has turned into a bridge – and that’s all thanks to having the right support at the right time.” 

“We don’t know what will happen to [our child’s] hearing in the future, but we don’t want whatever happens to be a big deal”

“His siblings are proud when he learns something new, and it’s brought us all closer. We’re so grateful for the support – it’s made a huge difference in our lives.”

“I just wish these sessions were widely available to every hearing parent of a deaf child,” she said. “It’s so valuable because it hasn’t just helped us to communicate – it’s helped us grow closer as a family.”

“We’re more aware of trying to sign as much as possible in the everyday. It’s definitely helping when [my child] isn’t wearing his hearing aids.”

“Being able to [sign] in the space that you use…it felt more like you could make it part of the day.”

“His little face lights up when he knows you’re understanding him or he gets a new sign.”

“It built her confidence quite a bit, to have an adult come round who had a cochlear implant and was signing. She was a bit awestruck, like [the tutor] was a celebrity”

“I strongly feel that learning BSL is an important way to introduce all of us into the wider Deaf community and culture and all the richness that offers”

Our Testimonals

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