Deaf children deserve language, connection and the freedom to thrive

Press Release 1: Deaf Awareness Month

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Deaf children deserve language, connection and the freedom to thrive

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Deaf Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate South Africa’s Deaf community, recognise the richness of Deaf culture and South African Sign Language (SASL), and ask what we can do to create a country where deaf children and children with hearing loss can thrive and reach their full potential.

This year’s theme, “Love and Trust” reminds us that connecting with children does not depend on how they hear the world. It depends on whether those around them can reach them in a language they understand, from as early as possible. For Hold My Hand, this starts with a simple idea: every child deserves early access to language, communication and connection.

Around 17 babies are born with permanent hearing loss in South Africa every day, more than 6 000 each year. The National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), approved by Cabinet and released by the Department of Social Development (read here), recognises newborn hearing screening as a catalytic intervention for children and calls for early identification, timely intervention, support for caregivers and inclusive approaches. Because early identification of hearing loss is what opens the door to language. Whichever language this may be South African Sign Language (SASL), spoken language or both. The earlier we know a child’s hearing status, the earlier that child can communicate, learn, build relationships and participate in the world around them as they grow. Newborn hearing screening remains far from universal in South Africa, meaning many children are often only identified years after birth.

Deaf Awareness Month is an opportunity to challenge assumptions about what it means to be Deaf. Being Deaf does not stop a child from learning, communicating, participating or thriving. It does mean that homes, early learning settings, schools and communities need to be set up so that children with hearing loss children can participate fully. This takes health, education and social services to work together so no child falls through the gaps between systems.

Deaf children are not defined by what they cannot hear. Deaf communities have their own languages, cultures and identities, and Deaf people contribute to South African life in every sector and every corner of the country. Giving children access to a rich, natural language as early as possible is not about changing who they are. It is about giving them the foundation to communicate, develop relationships, learn and express themselves on their own terms. When a child with hearing loss has early access to language, communication and supportive environments, they can thrive.

“We hope everyone can use this month to learn more about what it means to be Deaf, celebrate Deaf culture and South African Sign Language and back the full inclusion of Deaf people in South African life,” says Hold My Hand's Strategy Lead, Dr Noxolo Gqada. “We are also calling out to parents and caregivers to find out more about hearing screening for their child and remember that bonding does not depend on how they hear, it depends on how you communicate.” Dr Gqada adds, “Healthcare workers, communities and governments, all have a part to play in making sure children with hearing loss get early access to language, communication and the support they need to thrive.”

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW) and Hold My Hand have teamed up on a new programme – Little Ears – and the Department emphasises that objective hearing screening is the most reliable way to identify hearing loss early.

“The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has prioritised newborn hearing screening within the Start Well portfolio that focuses on a critical window of development – the first 1000 days. This is to ensure all children in the Western Cape thrive and reach their full potential by supporting them in the first 1000 days, with a specific focus on early intervention, particularly in the neonatal period. With the launch of Little Ears, a universal newborn hearing screening programme that integrates early hearing detection and intervention by leveraging public-private partnerships, we have focussed on strategic partnerships, integrated data management, systems strengthening, and civil society engagement. We are excited for this programme to launch in George, Oudtshoorn, and Khayelitsha sub-districts in late 2026 and continue early next year across the respective sites.” - Nicolette Henney, Deputy Director of the Early Life Course Unit, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.

About Hold My Hand: Hold My Hand is a national communications and social mobilisation campaign in support of the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), to ensure that the rights and well-being of South Africa’s children and teenagers are prioritised.

The Hold My Hand Accelerator for Children and Teens has been set up to fast-track certain priority strategies in the NSAAC.