| Description | Biographical History:
Claire Lightfoot is a mother of three residing in Belper, Derby. She studied teaching at Derby University and later completed a postgraduate qualification in deaf education. For over fifteen years, she has worked with deaf children in the Derby area. Two of her daughters are deaf, while her stepdaughter is hearing. Claire has been an active advocate for deaf education and community inclusion, founding a local Sing and Sign group and engaging with early years deaf support services.
Scope and Content:
Claire discusses her personal and professional experiences relating to deafness, parenting, and education. Topics include her daughters’ diagnoses following the national rollout of newborn hearing screening, her engagement with early years deaf services, and the founding of a community communication group. She reflects on the challenges of raising deaf children, the importance of accessible environments, and the role of music and touch in her daughters’ development. Claire also shares her evolving views on disability, autonomy, and identity, including a nuanced discussion of the hypothetical “hearing pill.” The interview concludes with reflections on her daughter’s confident navigation of educational spaces. |