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The deaf school leaver—Deaf and partially hearing school leavers are given information
about careers, advice about suitable employment, are assisted in finding it and followed
through at work by specialist officers of the Council's youth employment service.
The degree of hearing loss suffered by deaf and partially hearing school leavers is a
considerable handicap in employment. Nevertheless, these children are satisfactory workers
and employers speak highly of them. Girls leaving special schools during the past year
entered clerical work, copy typing, office machine operating, various branches of the needle
trades and in a few cases factory work. One girl having obtained nine 'O' level passes in
the G.C.E. examination, including physics and chemistry, was placed as a scientific assistant
in the Civil Service. Boys leaving during the same period obtained varied employment,
three as apprentices in furriery, lithographic artistic work and silversmithing respectively;
others are receiving training in electric motor repair, textile printing, tailoring, optical work,
clerical work in the offices of accountants and quantity surveyors. Successful also are boys
employed in the manufacture of leather and plastic goods, woodwork and metalwork.
The question of further education for children with impaired hearing is at present under
review by the Education Officer.
The future prospects for these children are bright. London's silent children are beginning
to speak.
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