DELTA, Deaf Education through Listening and Talking, is a voluntary association of young deaf adults, the families and teachers of deaf children. DELTA is a national charity which supports and develops the Natural Aural Approach to the education of deaf children. Both the Approach and the Association trace their origins back to a group of teachers of the deaf working together from 1980 to improve the outcomes for deaf children. The Association exists for the Approach and the Approach exists because of the work of the members of the Association.

We know that the vast majority of deaf children can learn to listen and talk.

We believe that this option should be available to all deaf children.

We work to make that happen by :

providing information on the Natural Aural Approach

• organising meetings for families across the country who want to help their deaf children listen and talk
• running summer schools for the whole family so that they can learn the skills and techniques they need
• informing local education authorities, doctors, health visitors, audiologists and other professionals who help deaf children about our approach and its achievements.

DELTA Values

We respect the right to choose and are committed to providing children and young people with the maximum opportunities for choice in their education and their adult lives. We believe this is best achieved for the great majority of children by education through the Natural Aural Approach.

We consider it vital that our work is founded on continually developing, good quality information and research and that this is shared in an open and professional manner with all those who are interested.

We place great value on striving to behave at all times with integrity, honesty and empathy in our relations with all our clients, customers and stakeholders and within the group. We respect the position of those who are of a different persuasion and expect them to reciprocate.We seek to be accessible and trustworthy, continually growing and learning as individuals and as a group.

Who runs DELTA?

DELTA is a company limited by guarantee and is registered with the Charity Commission as charity. It is Governance is enshrined in the Articles and Memorandum of Association.

The Board is made up of nine trustees, all elected for three year terms by the members. It has overall responsibility for the association, delegating some of its responsibilities to an Executive Sub-committee.

DELTA employs small number of paid staff who are responsible for information distribution, administration, volunteer support, fundraising and research.

DELTA has six Regional Co-ordinators - all volunteers - working with local committees and responsible for the programme in their part of the country. All of the meetings and courses they provide are open to all who are interested, normally for a small charge.

DELTA receives no statutory funding and raises all its funds from voluntary contributions. Major donors include : the Equitable Charitable Trust, the Esmée Fairbairn Trust, Sir Winston Churchill Educational Trust for the Deaf, Lloyds TSB, the Excalibur Trust, Henry Smith's Estate Trust, the John Ellerman Foundation, the Burwood Park Foundation, CfBT Education Services, Brock Charitable Trust, Stephen Bloomfield Trust, Co-operative Insurance Services. Fund-raising events are organised by volunteers throughout the UK including a sponsored Bike Ride and many local events.

Can I Join?

Membership is open to anyone who wishes to support DELTA in its mission to help deaf children learn to listen and talk..