Timeline
National Project initiated
2018
The VDEI initiated a national rollout project that utilizes a Train the Trainer model.
Selection of Lead Trainers
2019
Development of a train the trainer model and the selection of Lead Trainers from around Australia to support the implementation of the program in each State and Territory.
Periodic collection of data
2021 onwards
Periodic collection of data to track the outcomes of deaf and hard of hearing students participating in the Fingerspelling our Way to Reading program around Australia
Foundations for Literacy is a unique early literacy program designed for young deaf and hard of hearing children who communicate in spoken and/or signed language.
The program was developed by key researchers in deaf education from the Center on Literacy and Deafness (CLAD) at Georgia State University, USA. Lead researcher, Dr Amy Lederberg endorsed VDEI to adapt the program for the Australian context and to coordinate training and implementation Australia-wide.
The Foundations for Literacy curriculum builds a firm foundation in alphabetic knowledge and phonological awareness while providing a variety of opportunities for language growth. The program focuses on the fundamental preliteracy skills that are developmentally appropriate for young children, including vocabulary, narrative skills, alphabetical knowledge, phonological awareness and decoding words and short connected text.
For more information about Foundations for Literacy, see:
Updated