Vision Australia launches specialised program for children and young people who are deafblind

Vision Australia has launched a specialised program designed to support children and young people who are deafblind, providing families with a more coordinated approach to vision and hearing services.

The program recognises deafblindness as a multi-sensory disability and aims to reduce the emotional and practical burden families can experience when managing multiple providers, services and appointments.

Under the new model, each child and family will be supported by one lead service provider who understands the combined impact of vision and hearing loss and can help coordinate the supports surrounding the child. 

Children who are deafblind may have different communication, learning, participation and developmental needs depending on the nature and extent of their vision and hearing loss.

Vision Australia’s program provides an individualised approach that adapts as children grow and recognises that deafblindness exists on a spectrum.

Families accessing the program can expect:

• individualised goal setting based on the child’s strengths, needs and priorities
• coordinated, evidence-based support addressing vision and hearing needs together
• practical strategies for use at home, in early learning environments and at school
• collaboration between educators, allied health professionals and other services involved in the child’s care
• optional key-worker support for children and families. 

Vision Australia Chief Mission Officer Chris Edwards said navigating dual vision and hearing loss could be overwhelming for children and their families.

“We understand that navigating dual vision and hearing loss can be overwhelming for clients and families,” Mr Edwards said.

“By having a dedicated service provider who understands deafblindness in its entirety, clients can focus on their development, wellbeing and enjoying their childhood.”

A central feature of the program is the development of practical strategies that can be used consistently across the child’s home, early learning and school environments.

Vision Australia said its team would work with each child and family to determine the communication strategies best suited to their individual needs.

“Our team will work with each individual to establish the best communication strategies for their needs, ensuring that they thrive in school, at home and in everyday life,” Mr Edwards said. 

For early childhood education and care services, this coordinated approach may help educators better understand how a child communicates, engages with their environment and participates in daily learning experiences.

It also reinforces the importance of close collaboration between families, educators and specialist practitioners when supporting children with complex sensory needs.

Early childhood educators play an important role in ensuring children with disabilities can participate meaningfully in routines, relationships and learning.

For services supporting a child who is deafblind, access to specialist guidance may assist with:

• adapting learning environments and routines
• supporting individual communication methods
• planning accessible and inclusive experiences
• strengthening collaboration with families and allied health professionals
• maintaining consistent approaches across home and early learning settings.

The program’s lead-provider model may also give educators a clearer point of contact when seeking advice or coordinating strategies across a child’s broader support team.

Vision Australia said the program was designed to reduce the amount of time families spend managing separate services and allow them to focus more fully on their child’s development and wellbeing.

Its whole-child approach recognises that every child and family is different, with support tailored to individual circumstances and changing needs. 

Parents, carers and clinicians can contact Vision Australia to learn more about the program or refer a child.

Read the full Vision Australia announcement here.