A great deal of support and enthusiasm is building around the Deaf Nest Project, with a strong collaboration being demonstrated by supporting national and local charities, midwives and other health professionals. The evidence of of this enthusiasm and commitment has been demonstrated during past twelve months, reaching its momentum at the first Deaf Nest Conference held on 11th of June at the University of Salford.
Making appropriate changes in care provision can ensure that Deaf mothers will be happier with the care they receive. In order to offer greater choice and control for deaf women and include them in provision of care, midwives and other health professionals need to understand the health inequalities they experience to access healthcare services.
My pledge is to work with midwives and other health professionals across England to help them to understand deaf Women’s needs and problems they may face when accessing maternity services. And to work with deaf parents to provide them with best start to parenthood.
The real work to implement the Deaf Nest Project objectives relies on individuals acting to embed its values.
Awareness among midwives about caring for women with unseen disabilities, such as deafness and be aware of the impact impairment may have on their life. Taking a positive approach to the pregnancy of a deaf woman where emotional support is as important as practical support
Supporting midwives and other health professionals to gain knowledge and skills in deaf awareness which influence positive pregnancy and childbirth experience and the best start in life for babies
Providing accessible, up-to-date and evidence based information enabling deaf parents to make informed decisions. Making full use of technological solutions to improve deaf access to information and services and correct use of interprets
Adopting a position of ‘determined advocacy’ for women’s civil rights under protective laws such as the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and the Equality Act (2010), and be prepared to assume non-traditional roles
Supporting midwives and other health professionals to gain knowledge and skills in deaf awareness which influence positive pregnancy and childbirth experience and the best start in life for babies
Developing and delivering high quality maternity services which meet communication and cultural needs of deaf women and their families