The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) is the leading charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for every deaf child. We provide free impartial and unbiased information to families, empowering them to make informed choices for their child.

NDCS provides information on all aspects of childhood deafness and hearing loss including:
· Education
· Audiology
· Benefits
· Technology
· Communication
· Additional needs
Parenting

NDCS support families from initial diagnosis to adulthood across education, health and social care in a range of ways including through a Freephone Helpline, Family Officers, specialist advisors, publications, family events and web forums, from initial diagnosis to adulthood.

Families looking for more information about how NDCS can support them and to view our extensive range of publications can visit www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support. Families can also contact us through our NDCS Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880, helpline@ndcs.org.uk or live chat at www.ndcs.org.uk/livechat. Deaf children and young people can access information, share their experiences and have fun at
www.buzz.org.uk.

NDCS also produces a range of support for professionals working in education, health and social care to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and experience to support deaf children and their families. Professionals looking for more information on the support we offer can visit www.ndcs.org.uk/professional_support/

In the North East, NDCS has a Family Officer who supports parents across a range of issues in health, education and social care, a Regional Director who works across education, health and social care to help improve policy and practice. Families can contact through the NDCS Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880, helpline@ndcs.org.uk or live chat www.ndcs.org.uk/livechat

There are currently 2 local deaf children’s societies, affiliated to NDCS – Tyneside Deaf Children’s Society (North of Tyne including Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside) and South of Tyne and Wearside Deaf Children’s Society(South of Tyne including Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, County Durham).