A DEAF teenager hoping to break down barriers to learning sign language has urged an MP to help improve support for deaf children.

Erin McKay met Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman at the Labour Party Conference yesterday as a Youth Advisory Board member for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

The society has just launched a Right to Sign campaign for BSL (British Sign Language) to be an option at GCSE – and the 17-year-old asked the MP to sign her petition for the course.

Erin, from Marlborough, explained: “BSL is one of the languages of the UK so I think everyone in the country, deaf or hearing, should get the chance to learn it. Sadly, most people miss out because it’s not taught at school and private lessons are expensive.

“I want to break down the barriers to learning BSL, so it was great to speak to Helen and help her understand this issue because she has the power to make a difference.”

Erin and Helen also talked about the charity’s ‘Listen Up’ campaign to improve children’s audiology.

Jess Reeves, of the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “There are more than 40,000 deaf children in England, and a good audiology service is a vital lifeline for them – but without mandatory inspections, this cannot be guaranteed.”

To sign the petition visit: ndcs.org.uk/righttosign

To find a local children’s audiology service visit: www.ndcs.org.uk/listenup