A joint initiative between UK Deaf Sport, sports coach UK and the National Deaf Children’s Society to help raise the awareness of coaching deaf sportsmen and women is celebrating its second anniversary ©sports coach UK

UK Deaf Sport, sports coach UK and the National Deaf Children’s Society are celebrating the second anniversary of a workshop aimed at breaking down the communication barrier of deaf awareness in sports.

The first "Effective Communications; Coaching Deaf people in Sport" course was launched two years ago this week to provide a nationally-accredited and quality assured training in deaf awareness and core communication skills for coaches.

To date, 39 courses have been run with 487 people completing the workshops and being able to provide deaf inclusive activities.

“Through our research UK Deaf Sport are aware that communication difficulties and the confidence to become involved in sport are key issues for people who are deaf or hard of hearing," said Clive Breedon, UK Deaf Sport's national participation officer. 

“The course has been well received by coaches and has had a significant impact on improving deaf awareness.

"It is now one of the main elements of the soon to be launched DEAFinitely Inclusive quality kite  mark, an accreditation process that will continue to support the development of deaf Inclusive clubs and the increase in the opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people to play, coach and volunteer in sport."


More than 50 per cent of the courses have been delivered by deaf tutors able to give a unique insight into deafness and deaf inclusion.

“Supporting deaf tutors to deliver this workshop provides further learning to participants and breaks down cultural barriers concerning the inclusion of deaf people in sport and sports development," said Sarah Milner, diversity and inclusion lead at sports coach UK. 

"There is still a need to increase deaf awareness in mainstream sports clubs to provide more opportunities for deaf people to play sport.

"Coach and sport club leaders are urged to consider enrolling coaches on to the workshop to ensure inclusion for all participants."

For more details click here. 



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