# Deaf Children Australia

Deaf Children Australia (DCA) is a national not-for-profit organisation that supports deaf and hard-of-hearing children and young people and their families in Australia.
DCA was established in 1862 to meet the needs of deaf children and their families. DCA is housed in the Bluestone Building, built in 1866, in the Victorian capital of Melbourne.

## History

On 14 February 1859, Mrs. Sarah Lewis wrote a letter to the Melbourne Argus newspaper, expressing her concern about the lack of education options for her deaf daughter. She mentioned that without proper facilities in Melbourne, she would have no choice but to send her daughter to England for her education. In response, Frederick J. Rose, a deaf man himself, took action and opened the School for the Deaf and Dumb on 12 November 1860 in Peel Street, Prahran.
As the number of students increased, it became necessary to have a permanent facility that could also provide accommodation. Consequently, in October 1866, the Bluestone Building at 597 St. Kilda Road was established. This building provided a stable environment and proper facilities to support the education of deaf children.
In January 1949, reflecting a shift towards more respectful and inclusive terminology, the institution's name was changed from the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution to the Victorian School for Deaf Children.
By February 2003, in response to the growing need for more comprehensive and national-level services, the decision was made to establish Deaf Children Australia (DCA) as a national entity. The aim was to advocate for and support all deaf and hard-of-hearing children across Australia, ensuring that they have access to quality education and resources regardless of location.

## Current Day Services
### Helpline

DCA's free, anonymous and confidential helpline provides assistance for families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The helpline can also answer questions from professionals, students, and the public on deafness and hearing impairment. The helpline provides:
* Access to DCA's services.
* Information and contact details for specialised services.
* Information on deafness and hearing impairment for families, students, professionals, and the public.
* Connection to support groups for parents.

### Services

DCA provides an information service that produces publications and resources as well as a community development service that provides deaf awareness training.
DCA also provides family support workers to help navigate services for parents with a deaf or hard-of-hearing child.
Each semester DCA provides Auslan (Australian sign language) courses for families.
Other services include organising recreation events for families and young deaf people.

### NDIS Services

DCA is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider. NDIS services include support coordination, Auslan tutoring, and youth services for capacity building.

### Parent-to-Parent Program

The DCA's parent network has trained support parents who are available to meet with families over the phone or through home visits, at Early Intervention Centre playgroups, Parents of Deaf children (POD) group picnics, and other activities. Support parents can provide group or one-on-one support.

### Grants

Every year, DCA provides grants for deaf and hearing-impaired people between the ages of 12 and 23. Grants up to $2500 are awarded to assist in implementing activities that improve the lives of deaf people and their families, as well as in recognition of the achievements of young people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

### Sign for Work

DCA also operates Sign for Work, an agency that provides specialist services for people who are deaf or hearing impaired, and for people with other disabilities. Sign for Work assists in finding and applying for employment, and offers training, referral services, and free access to office facilities.

## See Also

* Frederick J Rose
* Victorian College for the Deaf