Based in Dartmouth Devon, The Cued Speech Association is the only organisation in the UK providing information and training in Cued Speech.
Without hearing or with imperfect hearing it is often difficult, particularly for children, to understand spoken language which in turn makes it harder to use language, lipread, or read and write. Cued Speech overcomes this by making each sound clearly distinctive, through corresponding hand shapes near the mouth. The basics of the technique can be learned in just 20 hours. Once sound-based language is made visible, deaf children can acquire an understanding of spoken language in the home and from an early age. International research demonstrates that children brought up with Cued Speech achieve literacy scores equivalent to hearing children.
Funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation, will allow the Cued Speech Association to extend its national awareness campaign which aims to show how Cued Speech can transform the communication skills and educational achievements of deaf and hearing impaired people. The charity will also continue to deliver training, advice and support in the effective use of Cued Speech to around 1,000 deaf children and their families over the next two years.
“This vital funding from Lloyds TSB Foundation will enable us to provide information about Cued Speech to those who need it. Parents are often unaware of the existence and benefits of Cued Speech and the huge difference it can make to the lives of their deaf and hearing impaired children,” says Anne Worsfold, Executive Director of Cued Speech Association.
