Deaf Children Australia
Deaf Children Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation that supports deaf and hard-of-hearing children and young people and their families in Australia.
DCA was established in 1862 to meet the needs of deaf children and their families. DCA is housed in the Bluestone Building, built in 1866, in the Victorian capital of Melbourne.
History
On 14 February 1859, Mrs. Sarah Lewis wrote a letter to the Melbourne Argus newspaper, expressing her concern about the lack of education options for her deaf daughter. She mentioned that without proper facilities in Melbourne, she would have no choice but to send her daughter to England for her education. In response, Frederick J. Rose, a deaf man himself, took action and opened the School for the Deaf and Dumb on 12 November 1860 in Peel Street, Prahran.As the number of students increased, it became necessary to have a permanent facility that could also provide accommodation. Consequently, in October 1866, the Bluestone Building at 597 St. Kilda Road was established. This building provided a stable environment and proper facilities to support the education of deaf children.
In January 1949, reflecting a shift towards more respectful and inclusive terminology, the institution's name was changed from the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution to the Victorian School for Deaf Children.
By February 2003, in response to the growing need for more comprehensive and national-level services, the decision was made to establish Deaf Children Australia as a national entity. The aim was to advocate for and support all deaf and hard-of-hearing children across Australia, ensuring that they have access to quality education and resources regardless of location.
Current Day Services
Helpline
DCA's free, anonymous and confidential helpline provides assistance for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The helpline can also answer questions from professionals, students, and the public on deafness and hearing impairment. The helpline provides:- Access to DCA's services.
- Information and contact details for specialised services.
- Information on deafness and hearing impairment for families, students, professionals, and the public.
- Connection to support groups for parents.
Services
DCA provides an information service that produces publications and resources as well as a community development service that provides deaf awareness training.DCA also provides family support workers to help navigate services for parents with a deaf or hard-of-hearing child.
Each semester DCA provides Auslan courses for families.
Other services include organising recreation events for families and young deaf people.