The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Schoolgirl campaigns for free sign language tuition
EDUCATION: Niamdh, 10, lobbies education secretary after Capaldi show
A deaf schoolgirl who performed a sign language duet with singer Lewis Capaldi has launched a campaign for free tuition for children with hearing loss.
Ten-year-old Niamdh Braid said she and other youngsters would currently have to pay to access formal lessons in British Sign Language (BSL).
The Glenrothes youngster, who sang a sign language version of Capaldi’s hit Someone You Loved alongside the star, has now met Education Secretary John Swinney as part of her drive for mainstream BSL provision.
Mr Swinney said he will consider her request.
Niamdh hit the headlines in August after a video of her performing with Scots singer-songwriter Capaldi at the Belladrum Festival, went viral.
The youngster is self-taught in BSL and believes children who need support should have free access.
Her meeting with Mr Swinney came after Glenrothes SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament highlighting Niamdh’s success at Belladrum.
The MSP then met the youngster, her mum Sam and younger brother Billy to talk about the experience before writing to the education secretary inviting him to discuss her campaign.
Niamdh said she was very happy to have the chance to argue her case.
“I taught myself BSL but I think it’s important that support is freely available for children who need it,” she said.
“I’m grateful to my local MSP Jenny Gilruth for supporting me and I hope free BSL tuition is something that can be done in Scotland.”
Mr Swinney said he had been delighted to meet Niamdh and hear about her campaign.
“The arguments she made surrounding BSL provision were compelling and I will now seek to advance the issues she discussed with me with my colleague Maree Todd MSP, the minister for children and young people,” he said.
“Scotland’s education system should be accessible to all young people and it is important that local authorities seek to support pupils in mainstream appropriately.
“I will certainly consider the issues surrounding the provision of BSL in the mainstream raised by Niamdh and how best the government can support local authorities in its delivery.”
Ms Gilruth said Niamdh’s passion for change was profound.
“I am confident that the Scottish Government, having heard Niamdh’s compelling case, will now look at ways to deliver British Sign Language tuition for young people,” she said.