Connect with others
Connecting with other people who are deaf or hard of hearing can give young people opportunities to share experiences, make friends, learn from others and feel part of a community.
The organisations below offer opportunities for young people to connect with peers, mentors and the wider Deaf and hard of hearing community.
Hear For You
Hear For You runs mentoring programs and workshops for teenagers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Their programs bring young people together with mentors who have lived experience of hearing loss.
Activities explore topics such as friendships, communication, school and career choices, casual work, confidence and personal identity. Programs are available for young people in metropolitan, regional and rural areas.
Explore Hear For You programs:
Deaf Children Australia
Deaf Children Australia (DCA) provides opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing young people to connect with others, develop new skills and become more independent.
Programs and opportunities for young adults include social and recreational activities, Youth Grants and support with study, training and employment.
Explore Deaf Children Australia programs for young adults:
Deaf Youth Australia
Deaf Youth Australia is a national organisation run for and by Deaf and hard of hearing young people. It provides opportunities to connect with other young people and the Deaf community through events, camps and other activities.
Its website also has an information hub with links to social spaces, mental health services, education services and other sources of support.
Visit Deaf Youth Australia:
Study, work and independence
Leaving school, starting further study, getting a first job and taking on more responsibility are important steps towards independence.
These services and resources can help young people understand the support available, communicate independently and advocate for what they need at study, at work and in everyday life.
JobAccess
JobAccess is the Australian Government’s national hub for information and advice about disability and employment.
Its resources explain workplace adjustments that can support people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These can include captioning, Auslan interpreting, assistive listening technology and providing information in different ways.
JobAccess also has information about the Employment Assistance Fund, which can pay for eligible workplace modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability get and keep a job.
Find out about deaf and hard of hearing support at work:
Australian Disability Network
Australian Disability Network provides resources and opportunities for students and jobseekers with disability.
Its Jobseeker Toolkit has practical information to help with finding and applying for jobs, including applications and interviews. Young people can also explore mentoring and internship programs designed to build workplace experience, skills and confidence.
Explore resources for students and jobseekers:
National Relay Service
The National Relay Service (NRS) can help people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have difficulty using speech to make and receive phone calls independently.
You can use the NRS for everyday tasks such as making appointments, contacting services, or speaking with an employer, university or TAFE. Different call options are available depending on how you prefer to communicate.
