There are a significant number of national and state-based organisations and websites that offer support services and information for parents, teachers and students.
National
Australian Hearing
Australian Hearing caters for people of all ages through a national network of hearing centres; including more than 110 permanently staffed centres, with 330 other locations in urban, rural and remote areas of Australia.
Cochlear Australia
Cochlear Australia is focused on the use of Cochlear assistive hearing devices. Their website contains a range of specific information about these products, as well as general information about hearing loss in both children and adults. There are also suggested places to access support, including the Cochlear Awareness Network.
Aussie Deaf Kids
A site developed specifically for parents, Aussie Deaf Kids includes provides information about deafness and hearing loss from diagnosis through to high school and beyond, with a wealth of information designed to assist parents make informed choices. The site provides links to forums for parents.
Deaf Australia
Deaf Australia is specifically concerned with advocating for Deaf people who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan.) It is an organisation run for and by people who are Deaf and has branches in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Deaf Australia also hosts an annual National Week of Deaf People, and a writing competition for young people who are Deaf.
Deaf Children Australia
Deaf Children Australia is an organisation which offers a variety of services for children who are Deaf or hearing impaired and their parents. Their services include direct service delivery, advocacy, and partnerships across the deaf sector, supporting research and piloting new initiatives.
State Specific
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory
Western Australia
South Australia
Northern Territory
New South Wales
Parent Council for Deaf Education
Parent Council for Deaf Education (PCDE) is a non-profit organisation based in NSW which supports parents of children who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment. It collaborates with parents, professionals, other organisations and government departments to promote equity of access to services and opportunities. PCDE run support groups known as a ‘POD’ throughout the year in Sydney.
Deaf Society of NSW
The Deaf Society of NSW is a support service organisation for people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment and offers a comprehensive range of services. They also provide a list of deaf-related service organisations.
The Shepherd Centre
The Shepherd Centre is primarily active in NSW and the ACT. It is concerned with the language development of children who are Deaf or hearing impaired. They offer a suite of programs and services including the Early Intervention Program, First SoundsCochlear Implant Program), and the Rural and Remote Program.
Hear for You
An organisation with its focus fully on young people and teenagers, providing role models and mentors and opportunities for young people to spend time together, share their experiences; whilst offering encouragement to parents
Queensland
Hear and Say Centre
The Hear and Say Centre is a charity and paediatric Auditory-Verbal and Implantable Technologies (including cochlear implants) organisation; that also focusses on teaching children who are deaf to hear, listen and speak. Hear and Say offers a comprehensive range of services and programs.
Deaf Services Queensland
Deaf Services Queensland is a not for profit organisation that works closely with the community, providing a variety of services for families, including interpreting and translations, community services, lifestyle style and employment support
Victoria
Victorian Council of Deaf People
The Victorian Council of Deaf People (VCOD) is a not for profit organisation and government-funded organisation primarily focused on the advocacy needs of Deaf people in Victoria. VCOD also provide Deaf Deaf World workshops, which are designed to provide groups of people with an insight into life for a Deaf person and the use of Auslan.
Tasmania
Tasmanian Deaf Society Inc.
Tasmanian Deaf Society Inc. aims to empower people who are Deaf or hearing impaired through advocacy and education.
Australian Capital Territory
The Shepherd Centre
The Shepherd Centre is primarily active in NSW and the ACT. It is concerned with the language development of children who are Deaf or hearing impaired. They offer a suite of programs and services including the Early Intervention Program, First SoundsCochlear Implant Program), and the Rural and Remote Program.
Western Australia
Western Australian Deaf Society
Western Australian Deaf Society aims to empower people who are Deaf or hearing impaired. Services offered include Sign Language Communications (Interpreting Service), Deafinite Employment Service and Community Services including the Language Early Access Program
West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children
The West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children is focused on the advocacy and information needs of children who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment and their parents. They have produced an online resource for parents that is very comprehensive
South Australia
Deaf Can:Do (Royal South Australian Deaf Society)
Deaf Can:Do, has part of its focus on the teaching of Auslan. Additionally the organisation provides information and advocacy services.
Can: Do4Kids
Can: Do4Kids is a family centred service providing specialist programs for children and young people with a sensory impairment in South Australia.
Parents of the Hearing Impaired of South Australia
Parents of the Hearing Impaired of South Australia is a voluntary parent support group which believes in the advancement of the education and welfare of hearing impaired people and their families.
Northern Territory
Deaf NT is a not for profit information and referral service, which provides support to people of all ages, who are Deaf and hearing impaired, in the Northern Territory; and is part of Deaf Children Australia.
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