Deaf Children Australia (DCA) has launched a free two-hour online course designed to help school communities better support their deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
DCA said the Australian first online Building Bridges course was evidence-based, built on years of research, and designed to be practical and flexible for any school setting and individual need.
It said the course, which launched in June 2025, aimed to equip schools with the skills and resources to give deaf and hard-of-hearing kids the sort of quality education and support every kid deserves.
“Building Bridges is based on the principle that DHH students deserve the same level of support and inclusion that is provided to students of other abilities,” it said.
DCA said experiencing a normal school life could be tough enough for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) kids. But its recent survey showed the challenge in rural and regional schools was even greater, with many saying their schools lack the skills, resources and support to give DHH an even break.
The survey of hundreds of parents, carers and school staff, primarily in rural and regional areas, found that more than 60% of respondents believe their mainstream school needs greater deaf awareness while over 40% report their schools have limited skills in effectively communicating with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
This is despite 83% of deaf and hard of hearing students in Australia attending mainstream schools, DCA said.
“Remote areas face even greater challenges as nine out of 10 young Indigenous children in remote communities have some form of ear disease, and one in six has burst eardrum(s),” DCA said. “This can lead to long term hearing loss and is linked to educational disadvantage and behavioural problems.”
The DCA survey also found that 80% of respondents felt their school community would benefit from skills and resources to better support DHH kids.
Building Bridges includes:
- Deaf awareness, communication tips and guidance
- Access to a video library of more than 200 school-friendly Auslan signs
- Downloadable resources with practical information about inclusion, Auslan and classroom activities
- A free Auslan resource pack with posters, activity sheets, and two large format Platypus Playhouse storytime books with key Auslan signs and translations that gently introduce Auslan.
Different types of deafness
Ms Sarah Brennan, project lead and DCA spokesperson, said Building Bridges would help school communities understand the different types of deafness, how to recognise and respond to them, and the unique challenges faced by the DHH when it came to inclusion and participation.
“We know deaf and hard of hearing students thrive when their school community understands how to support them, but many within that community feel they do not have the skills or resources to properly communicate with them to ensure they feel fully included,” she said,
“All students, regardless of their abilities, have the right to communicate with, and be understood by their teachers, school staff and peers.
“And when it comes to special education and additional assistance in regional and rural areas, the challenge is even greater, with limited options for families who choose to live in these communities.”
She said Building Bridges was a highly-practical, flexible way to embed inclusive practices across schools at no cost.
Click here for more information.
More reading
Deaf Children Australia seeks rural teacher input for resources to support children with HL
Deaf Children Australia calls for more deaf friendly resources and training in schools
Deaf Children Australia appoints new board, re-appoints CEO
