NDIS Resources

The NDIS has developed a number of resources for children who are deaf or hard of hearing:

• Guides for funding specialised smoke alarms
• Guide for early intervention supports
• Pre-planning toolkit for people who are deaf or hard of hearing entering higher education or vocational education and training

Guides for funding specialised smoke alarms

The NDIA have worked with Aussie Deaf Kids and other advocates in the disability sector who called for clarity around how they fund specialised smoke alarms. From this feedback they developed two new ‘Would we fund it’ guides.

These guides help people better understand what smoke alarm supports they might fund for participants who are deaf or hard of hearing.

One guide describes scenarios about smoke alarms for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The other describes scenarios about smoke alarms for adults who are deaf or hard of hearing.

These guides provide clearer information about when they would or wouldn’t fund a specialised smoke alarm. They also include other information considered when making a decision.

The new guides are available on their website Smoke alarm supports | NDIS

Guide for early intervention supports

The Guide describes the best available supports and services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

It helps you:

• consider approaches to building language and communication with your child.
• with ways to support your family’s social and emotional wellbeing.
• choose a provider that is right for your child and family.
• feel empowered to communicate with your children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to talk to providers about the best supports for your child and family.

It presents current research but does not provide an opinion about the supports you should choose.

The NDIS worked with participants and disability groups to develop the Guide and used their advice to make sure it is useful and easy to follow.

The Guide is available on their website: Guide for early intervention supports | NDIS

Pre-planning Toolkit for people who are D/HH entering higher education or vocational education and training

If you are Deaf or hard of hearing you may require extra support to complete your chosen course and to ensure your participation is on the same basis as other students.

This booklet published by the NDIA will help you identify the types of support available to you, and to understand who may be responsible for funding these.

Planning in advance to implement the supports you need can help to ensure you successfully participate in and complete your studies.

The toolkit can be downloaded here: Pre-planning toolkit | NDIS