I am concerned the deaf community is beginning to dry up (Childfile, 0-19, May 05). Where are the young deaf people out there? Which mainstream schools do they go to? More deaf schools have closed down and I am worried about the affect this could be having on deaf children's psychological and emotional development.
Will every deaf child have the chance to meet deaf adults as role models? There is already a shortage of deaf mentors and deaf youth clubs.
I believe deaf youth workers play an important role keeping young deaf people involved in the deaf community. Without more of them deaf children will miss out.
Andrew Jordan
youth service manager,
Royal association for deaf People
