What Education Services are Available for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children?
This fact sheet discusses terms used for those who are hearing impaired and Deaf. It also describes services for Deaf and hearing impaired children and young people in early childhood education centres, schools, and Deaf Education Centres. Contact details to get more detailed information are listed at the end of the fact sheet.
Definition of terms
Deaf (capital "D") students typically use New Zealand Sign Language as their means of communication. They identify with Deaf Culture and are part of the Deaf community.
Hearing impaired students have hearing outside the normal range. These students may use sign language.
Deaf and hearing impaired children in schools and early childhood education centres
Most Deaf and hearing impaired students are in regular early childhood education centres and local schools. There are support services and equipment available to help these students access the curriculum.
The Ministry of Education, Special Education (GSE) employs Advisers on Deaf Children to help families understand their child's hearing loss and to guide parents as they consider the technology and communication options available. Advisors on Deaf Children also provide assessments and information about a child's development and behaviour to other professionals working with the family. Advisors on Deaf children work closely with teachers from the two Deaf Education Centres
Deaf Education Centres
There are two Deaf Education Centres in New Zealand that provide services specifically for Deaf and hearing impaired students. They are Kelston (which takes students from the Upper North Island) and van Asch (which takes students from the rest of New Zealand). Contact details for both schools are listed below. These centres provide services, such as:
- regional teaching through itinerating Teachers of the Deaf to support students in regular settings
- audio logical assessment and the fitting, repair and maintenance of assistive listening devices
- residential schooling where a student's Individual Education Plan identifies this as the best option
- equipment such as telephone devices for the Deaf and hearing aid services are also available. Teachers and some other staff in the Deaf Education Centres use sign language.
For further information
If you want further information about services for Deaf and hearing impaired children please ring your local GSE office and ask to speak to the GSE Adviser on Deaf Children or contact the Deaf Education Centre for your area.
Contact details
Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland
(provides education services for Deaf and hearing impaired students in the Upper North Island above Taupo).
Phone: 09 827 4859
Email: kdec@kdec.school.nz
Web address: www.kdec.co.nz
Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch
(provides education services for Deaf and hearing impaired students for the rest of New Zealand below Taupo).
Phone: 03 326 6009
Email address: info@vanasch.school.nz
Web address: www.vanasch.school.nz
Your local GSE office
Look in the front of your phone book for the Government phone listings (the blue pages). Find the "Education Ministry Of "then look under "Special Education" for your local office
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