An arts and drama programme for deaf children in Northern Ireland is to run in the autumn at 15 schools around the province.

The programme, which will run for mid-September to November, has been organised by the National Deaf Children's Society.

According to the organisers, it aims to provide access to the arts for deaf children across Northern Ireland for the next three years.

Sharon Rollston, NDCS Arts Officer, said: "Communication and expression have always been fundamental issues to deaf children and a programme such as this aims to exercise the skills necessary to communicate and express ideas creatively."

Many deaf children still attend mainstream schools and the arts programme aims to reach these as well.

The organisers said the programme would include drama workshops which would be co-ordinated by professional actors, artists, musicians and dramatists.

The workshops will run in 15 schools with partially hearing units culminating in mid-November with showcase events. These will be performed or exhibited in Londonderry and Belfast.