Who?
- As deafness is not a physical disability anyone with a hearing impairment can play tennis at any venue where tennis is played, and the Rules of Tennis apply.
- A person's degree of deafness will dictate whether they are eligible to take part in sanctioned deaf tennis competitions.
- Deafness is a hidden disability. It is easy to forget that the person to whom you are speaking has specific communication requirements. Lip reading is one communication that is widely used as is SSE (Sign Support English) by people with severe or profound deafness, as generically accepted forms of communication.
- British Sign Language (BSL) is the language of the deaf community and is used by people who are severely or profoundly deaf.
How?
The TF administers a number of programmes in partnership with the British Deaf Tennis Association and other relevant bodies to increase the number of deaf people playing tennis and to encourage more players from beginner right through to international level.
The TF is involved in running tennis 'Have A Go' sessions during sports days organised by other bodies, such as National Deaf Children's Society. As well as organising its own coaching and trial weekends.
There is an established structure of Deaf development squad weekends, for promising intermediate players, and National Training weekends, both of which are run regularly throughout the year.
Where?
Deaf players can play tennis in any mainstream club, school, at local authority courts or indoor tennis centres.
There are some schools specifically for deaf children as well as hearing impaired units in mainstream schools, where tennis programmes can be a welcome introduction.
Particular care needs to be taken so that the deaf player is welcomed into a tennis club or tennis centre and not isolated. Many deaf players enjoy competition in tournaments, matches and leagues, and do so very successfully.
Many deaf players want to play competition in tournaments, matches and leagues, and do so very successfully.
