Learning and Development—Auslan

​Purpose

To assist schools in the implementation and delivery of bilingual education for deaf students using Auslan.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services supports deaf students in Queensland state schools who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to communicate. The majority of these students are educated in mainstream classroom settings with the support of a teacher aide: educational interpreter and a teacher aide: Auslan language model.

Additional support is provided by the Principal Advisor—Auslan (PAA) and by teachers of the deaf, working in special education programs or as Advisory Visiting Teachers: Hearing Impairment (AVT:HI).

Deaf students who use Auslan require specific planning and educational support. Schools should use the appropriation to purchase appropriate educational resources and to build staff capacity by accessing appropriate professional development. Advice on such activities can be provided by Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services.

Duration of program

Ongoing

Eligibility

State schools that have Auslan students enrolled.

Allocation of funds

Funds are allocated by the Manager, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services to the participating schools who have enrolled Auslan students as required throughout the year. The various appropriation types paid to schools per calendar year, unless otherwise stated, include:

*Schools with new Auslan student enrolments refers to a school that has not had an Auslan student previously enrolled. Note: The Learning and development/resources funding is not paid in the first year to a school that has not had Auslan students previously enrolled. PAA and AVT:HI allocations are calculated in relation to the fraction worked.

**Due to the changing technology requirements and increased use of technology in schools, a one-off payment (every 5 years from 2021) may be made to schools to assist with technology upgrades to enable the schools to deliver the program. These one off payments are separate from the $3,000 technology grant paid to new schools upon enrolment of Auslan students.

Learning and development/resources

​This appropriation assists schools to purchase equipment and resources to assist with classroom communication and support. It should also be used to assist with the costs associated with Auslan-related professional development activities.

New schools supporting Auslan users (one-off payment)

Schools with deaf and hearing impaired students are entitled to an initial appropriation to install safety equipment, such as flashing alarms for bells and warning systems, and to purchase equipment which will increase communication access in education facilities.

Technology appropriation (one-off payment)

This appropriation should be used to purchase equipment that can be used with high quality video footage and video conferencing.

PAA allocation

This pro-rata payment will be paid to the base locations of PAAs and will assist these officers in purchasing equipment and resources used to support Auslan students as well as access to Auslan-specific professional development as approved by the Manager.

PAA base school allocation

This payment will be paid to the base locations hosting PAAs to assist with the cost of hosting these officers.

AVT:HI allocation

This pro-rata payment will be paid to the base locations of AVT:HIs and will assist these officers to access Deaf/Hard of Hearing-specific professional development.

Payment details

Payment times will vary according to when data and entitlements are available. Funds will be paid annually and for schools with new enrolments, funds will be paid promptly after the enrolment has been notified to the PAA.

Data requirements

Auslan student enrolments are identified by the PAA and provided to the Manager, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services as required, to determine the school eligibility.

Recoupment process

Funds are paid on the basis that Auslan students are enrolled at a school. Recoupment may be sought if the payment was made in error or where all enrolled students and supporting Auslan staff exit the school.

How to apply

Schools do not need to apply for this funding. Schools will automatically be identified as having Auslan students and will have entitlements calculated and paid.

Contact

Manager, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services
State Schools—Disability and Inclusion
Telephone: (07) 3028 8104