A Deaf Child in the Family

Short Film (Full Length) – 1969

Winner of multiple awards, this 40 minute film aims to teach families how to manage communication with a deaf child. Narrator Peter Brian guides young families through the steps they can take to ensure their deaf child is able to develop speech and communication as effectively as possible. The documentary includes interviews with two deaf adults living full lives. In an early example of crowdfunding, a sponsorship body was set up to fund A Deaf Child in the Family. It was one of a number of shorts written and directed by Frank Chilton which focussed on people living with disabilities.

Not all severely deaf children will reach Michael's standard of speech and comprehension but given early diagnosis and early training, most hearing impaired children will at least be able to understand and communicate with people they meet in everyday life.
– Narrator Peter Brian