“Don’t let your deafness hold you back”: Freya Fredriksson on Deaf Awareness Week 2024

By Christianah Omobosola Babajide.

Reading time: four minutes

For Deaf Awareness Week 2024 (6-12 May), I had the privilege of interviewing Freya Fredriksson, a dedicated sixth form student and TSL’s very own writer.

Freya is currently studying Latin, History, Spanish, and Geography for her A-levels, alongside an EPQ. With a passion for studying Law at university and aspiring to become an education solicitor, Freya aims to advocate for equitable access to quality education, particularly for those with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

COB: Can you start off by sharing your journey as a deaf student navigating the education system?

FF: For the longest time, I was always reluctant to let my teachers or peers know that I need to lipread them in fear that I would be ‘annoying’. However, I have learned that people are generally very keen to help and you’re not only helping yourself, you are also helping other people learn new things!

COB: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a deaf student, and how have you overcome them?

FF: I would have to say that dealing with listening fatigue is something that every deaf person experiences and especially as an A-level student, it can be very frustrating at times to come home, completely exhausted from lipreading all day, and not having energy to do homework. I overcame this through utilising assistive technology at school meaning I use a live speech-to-text subtitle function on Microsoft PowerPoint. This has meant that I don’t need to lipread my teachers for six hours everyday and it has massively reduced listening fatigue.

COB: As an aspiring education solicitor, how do you envision advocating for access to education for individuals with SEN?

FF: Education law is an area of law that is often overlooked and yet it is a powerful vehicle that ensures educational institutions meet their legal obligations to support the needs of students, parents and teachers. Special Education law is a significant part of education law as it helps to ensure the rights of students with SEN are protected and observed. This means I can improve access to high-quality education by fighting against discrimination, handling claims and appeals related to SEN and disabilities to the First-tier and Upper Tribunals.

COB: What changes would you like to see implemented in the education system to better support deaf students?

FF: I would like to see more collaboration rather than fighting between families and local authorities, as co-operation will help facilitate efforts to create a more equitable education system. Improved deaf awareness is also something that needs to happen as this will improve cultural competency.

To learn more about cultural competency, read Freya’s article: https://thestudentlawyer.com/2024/03/30/the-importance-of-cultural-competence/

COB: Could you shed some light on the misconceptions surrounding deafness that you’ve encountered?

FF: The fact that I can speak often leads to the misconception that I’m now a hearing person. This is not true as my hearing levels still are the same when compared to before I learned how to speak. This means I still have access needs!

COB: What steps can educational institutions take to foster a more inclusive environment for deaf students and promote awareness of deaf culture?

FF: Every deaf person is different and so their access needs are different, so it is vital that educational institutions communicate and ask what this person needs rather than assuming that they need a sign language interpreter or a note taker.

COB: Do you have any advice for other deaf students navigating the education system?

FF: Don’t be scared to advocate for yourself and your access needs, the school or university is there to help you and they are on your side. Don’t let your deafness hold you back and never think that you are incapable or not enough. There will always be someone who will doubt you, don’t let it be you!

Quick Fire Questions…

COB: Name a book that has inspired you?

FF: The book called ‘One for Sorrow, Two for Joy’ by Marie-Claire Amuah inspired me as the story takes the reader throughout the life of Stella who goes through law school and becomes a barrister whilst overcoming intergenerational trauma through friendship, resilience and hope.

COB: If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

FF: Queen Elizabeth 1st as she is a feminist icon given that she was an entirely autonomous woman.

COB: Fave Latin phrase?

FF: My Latin teacher often says ‘veni, vidi, didici’ which means ‘I came, I saw, I taught’

COB: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

FF: I enjoy cross-country running, spending time with my family and my pet cat as well as shopping with friends.