In this issue

• From the online groups
• 2010 Deafness Forum Educational scholarship
• Parent support groups
• Registration now open for 6th National Deafness Sector Summit
• Captioned content at school
• What's on in February
• Join our online parent forums
• Make a donation

Happy New Year to you all. I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday break and is ready for the year ahead.

I started 2010 in Bali. It is one of our favourite holiday destinations. One day, a young Balinese mum, who had noticed my daughter's hearing aid, stopped us in the street. Her three year old daughter had recently been diagnosed with a hearing loss and she was floundering as to what to do next and where to find help.

So I went searching and came upon a group of Australians who are making a difference for deaf kids in Bali. "Bikabele" was founded by four West Australian friends, who embarked on a trip to the Semara Putra Orphanage in August 2003, with some pre-loved clothes and toys, and some school stationery, to help some underprivileged children after the tragic Bali bombings - just as a way of contributing to and supporting the Balinese community. This visit and seeing how much more tangible help these children needed, led to the formation of "Bikabele".

Through Bikabele, we met Narno Supangat. Narno understands the importance of early diagnosis on future outcomes for deaf children in Bali and with Bikabele's assistance has started an early intervention program for disadvantaged preschoolers in Denpasar. Through Bikabele, we hope to get assistance for this young mum and her daughter. If you would like to find out more about Bikabele and their work - go to http://www.bikabele.com.au

All the best for 2010!

info@aussiedeafkids.org.au

The start of a new school year is always a time for some anxiety for parents. We have some kids starting school, some changing schools and some little ones starting childcare. Parents have spoken to teachers and principals, prepared information about their child's needs and shown childcare staff how to put hearing aids into little ears. Now it is just a matter of waiting for the big day...

As one proud mum said, "I know that there are many before me who have gone through this, and many more of you to come ... but my baby is starting school in a week.

I am not one of those mothers who cry at the gate but I am feeling a little bit chuffed that my boy, despite all his challenges, will be starting mainstream school in 6 sleeps!!! So congratulations to anyone else out there who is celebrating their child going to school.

A milestone - at some stages through his life, I wasn't sure he would make.

I am feeling so glad that all the hard work has paid off, especially the tantrums over wearing 'ears'."

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Deafness Forum provides educational scholarships to facilitate the participation of people who are Deaf or people who have a hearing impairment in post secondary education. The scholarships are available to students planning to undertake further education and are expressly designed to support students who are deaf or hearing impaired by contributing to ongoing costs for their tuition.

Applications close on February 12.

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2010 dates are confirmed for the three Sydney POD groups located in Gordon, Liverpool and Randwick. 'POD' is a local parent support group open to parents and caregivers of children with any degree or type of deafness.

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This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about issues and innovations which will affect our children into the future. Keynote addresses include The Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services and the Libby Harricks Memorial Oration by Professor Greg Leigh.

Early bird registration is open until 12th February.

Date: 23-24 April 2010
Place: Grace Hotel, York Street, Sydney.

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Children with a hearing loss need DVDs shown in their classroom to have captions in order for them to gain full access to the curriculum. If your child's teacher plans to show a DVD to the class, they need to plan ahead and find if that particular title is available with captions. If it isn't, another resource with captions should be chosen.

The Accessible Education Database can help your child's teachers to find information about hundreds of captioned titles including subject areas such as English, Science and Geography. The Database also helps teachers find an appropriate resource and learn how to DIY captioning to assist with class projects.

Parents and teachers are encouraged to become registered users (it's free) and help build the database for deaf school children across the country.

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Auslan Rhyme Time - 5th Feburary
Sydney Theatre Company Interpreted Theatre - 11th February
Bilateral CI and Hybrid CI BBQ Day - 14th February

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You can help Aussie Deaf Kids by donating online. We use the Our Community secure online donations facility. Your donation will go directly into the research and development of content for the website which will assist parents to make informed choices about raising their deaf child.

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