SUCCESS
A photographic dark room. A student who is deaf has to be able to see her Auslan interpreter. How is this going to work?
That’s just one of the scenarios we have explored with teachers in our Deafness Awareness Training sessions. It may seem like a challenge to begin with, but with some general information about deafness and a little planning, the teaching team came up with a number of ideas to discuss with the student, making it possible for her to participate fully and achieve her study goals.
Telephone advice
You or your staff can call or email us if they have any questions. We have a wealth of experience on issues relating to deafness and hearing loss. We can offer practical suggestions for reasonable adjustment in the training room and information about support services such as Auslan interpreters and notetakers.
Workforce capability program for teachers and student support staff
Teachers and trainers who have not had a student who is deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing in the classroom may feel unprepared. Our Deafness Awareness sessions provide your staff with the opportunity to ask questions, clarify expectations and develop practical skills for an inclusive learning environment. Training sessions are offered at no cost to all Victorian VET providers and are tailored to your needs and delivered on site to minimise unnecessary time away from the workplace.
Read more about Deafness Awareness Training here:
https://www.deafconnected.com.au/dat/
RESOURCES
Although your Disability Liaison Officer will be your first point of contact for a student who is deaf or hard of hearing, the following resources may also be useful:
- Teachers’ Quick Reference Guide (webpage)
- Teaching Students in VET who have a hearing loss: Frequently Asked Questions (webpage and pdf)
- Teaching Students in VET who have a hearing loss: Glossary of Terms (webpage and pdf)
- Teaching Students in VET who have a hearing loss: Working with an interpreter or notetaker in your classroom (webpage and pdf)
- Working with interpreters (pdf)
- Working with notetakers (pdf)
The following short videos may also be of interest:
Assistive Technology
The following simulations may also be useful when considering the potential impact of hearing loss on participation in classroom discussions and activities:
If you want to know more about hearing devices, this article provides a useful summary of the challenges:
Hearing Devices – Tools, Not Miracles.
Career and study planning
The following videos may also be useful when discussing employment options with students:
- Deaf people DO have interesting jobs! (video)
- Deaf people DO have interesting jobs! – Part 2 (video)
- Deaf people DO have interesting jobs in Darwin (video)
- JobAccess support for Auslan interpreting in the workplace (video)
- JobAccess service and Employee Assistance Fund (video)
Skills and Jobs Centres provide free advice to people seeking employment or training opportunities. deafConnected have been working with the Skills and Jobs Centres Network to raise awareness of the needs of Deaf and Hard of hearing clients in career guidance and study advice.
Students can book an appointment with a Skills and Jobs Centre careers councillor at any point in the their learning journey.
Visit this page to find your nearest Skills and Jobs Centre https://www.skills.vic.gov.au/s/visit-a-skills-and-jobs-centre
