A British film that highlights the struggles faced by deaf children attending mainstream school has won an Oscar.
The Silent Child, which tells the story of profoundly deaf four-year-old Libby, won the Oscar for best live action short film at last night’s ceremony in Hollywood.
The lead actress, Maisie Sly, is deaf. In real life, her family relocated 160 miles so that she could attend a mainstream school that supported deaf children.
Collecting the award, the film’s writer and producer Rachel Shenton - a former Hollyoaks actress - delivered a speech in sign language, in which she called for better access to education for deaf children.
WATCH: Oscar winner calls for better access to education for deaf children:
Ms Shenton, whose fiance Chris Overton - also a former Hollyoaks actor - directed the film, said: “Our movie is about a deaf child being born into a world of silence.
“It’s not exaggerated or sensationalised for the movie. This is happening. Millions of children all over the world live in silence and face communication barriers and particularly access to education.
“Deafness is a silent disability. I want to say the biggest of thank-yous to the Academy for allowing us to put this in front of a mainstream audience.”
In a postscript at the end of the film, a message is shown, stating that “over 78 per cent of deaf children attend mainstream school with no specialist support in place”.
Another note adds that the filmmakers “hope this film contributes in the fight for sign language to be recognised in every school across the globe”.
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