Service provision for deaf and hard of hearing students attending government schools in Victoria

Overview

In Victoria, there are more than 4,500 deaf and hard of hearing students in government, Catholic and Independent schools. Approximately 85% of these students are educated in mainstream classrooms, including approximately 15% of students supported in Deaf Facilities.

There are three educational options for deaf and hard of hearing students attending government schools in Victoria:

A mainstream school with visiting teacher of the Deaf support

Visiting Teacher(opens in a new window) support is provided in each of the department's four Regions(opens in a new window), with frequency of support determined by the needs of the individual student.

A mainstream school with a Deaf Facility

There are nine primary schools, five secondary schools and three Prep to Year 12 schools that have a Deaf Facility. Staffing at Deaf Facilities includes Teachers of the Deaf, consultant Speech Pathologists and Audiologists and Auslan educational interpreters if bilingual students are enrolled.

Deaf and hard of hearing children are supported in:

• regular classes with extra support

• small groups with other deaf or hard of hearing children

• individual support sessions with a specialist Teacher of the Deaf or support staff.

See Educational Programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Victoria(opens in a new window) for locations of Deaf Facilities.

A specialist School for the Deaf

In Victoria, there are three specialist Schools for the Deaf:

• Aurora School(opens in a new window): Early intervention: Early Education and Prep

• Furlong Park School for Deaf Children(opens in a new window): Early Education, Prep to Year 6

• Victorian College for the Deaf(opens in a new window): Prep to Year 12

More information