1st December 2015
2015 Youth Advisory Council Graduation Ceremony
Three of the YAC (Youth Advisory Council) members have completed Year 12 and to celebrate their achievements, a YAC Graduation ceremony was held on 1 December. The students were very excited to learn that Sharon Barry-Grassick was kindly able to organise a room at the Freshwater Bay Yacht club for the event.
The night was an opportunity for all the members to talk about their experience at YAC, their first memories of the group and their personal highlights over the years. Each YAC member demonstrated some of the skills they had learnt by presenting in front of their parents and invited guests. Jack was the MC for the evening and he invited Michael to give the Acknowledgment to Country. Mina talked about her experience being a YAC founding member, although she was concerned before attending the first meeting, it didn’t take long before she felt comfortable being around the other YAC members. Abigail elaborated on this saying that since she arrived in Australia, she hadn’t met another person with a hearing loss until she joined YAC. Amy talked about the highlights of her time in YAC including the quiz night and the 2014 YAC WAIDE camp. Although these events involved a lot of work, they were successful and ultimately very enjoyable. Vanessa thanked the adult helpers for the support they have given to YAC, she made a special mention to Steve Watson and wished him well in his new endeavour. Stephanie also spoke, thanking Jack for being the MC for the night.
Other highlights of the night included talking about the project for the Commissioner for Children and Young People they completed this year when the Deaf YAC combined with the Vision YAC group. This project took up most of the YAC’s time this year, the presentation to the Commissioner on 20 November was another highly successful event.
The three Year 12 YAC members, Vanessa, Abigail and Michael received their Graduation Certificates, the other YAC members received their Certificate of Achievement.
The YAC students also talked about looking forward to continue developing their leadership skills and being involved in many other leadership opportunities in the future.
The night was an opportunity for all the members to talk about their experience at YAC, their first memories of the group and their personal highlights over the years. Each YAC member demonstrated some of the skills they had learnt by presenting in front of their parents and invited guests. Jack was the MC for the evening and he invited Michael to give the Acknowledgment to Country. Mina talked about her experience being a YAC founding member, although she was concerned before attending the first meeting, it didn’t take long before she felt comfortable being around the other YAC members. Abigail elaborated on this saying that since she arrived in Australia, she hadn’t met another person with a hearing loss until she joined YAC. Amy talked about the highlights of her time in YAC including the quiz night and the 2014 YAC WAIDE camp. Although these events involved a lot of work, they were successful and ultimately very enjoyable. Vanessa thanked the adult helpers for the support they have given to YAC, she made a special mention to Steve Watson and wished him well in his new endeavour. Stephanie also spoke, thanking Jack for being the MC for the night.
Other highlights of the night included talking about the project for the Commissioner for Children and Young People they completed this year when the Deaf YAC combined with the Vision YAC group. This project took up most of the YAC’s time this year, the presentation to the Commissioner on 20 November was another highly successful event.
The three Year 12 YAC members, Vanessa, Abigail and Michael received their Graduation Certificates, the other YAC members received their Certificate of Achievement.
The YAC students also talked about looking forward to continue developing their leadership skills and being involved in many other leadership opportunities in the future.
20th November 2015
Survey shows students’ astute social media sense - Department of Education News Article
25th February 2015
Getting a sense of a hearing loss or vision impairment with the commissioner
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On Wednesday 25 February, 2015 Sensory Staff presented Sensory awareness training to Jenni Perkins, the Commissioner for Children and Young People and her staff in their Subiaco offices. This presentation was at the request of the Commissioner’s office as the group were very interested to learn more about low vision, blindness and deafness.
Rebecca Hunt, from Vision Education, described blindness and vision impairment, effective communication techniques, Seeing Eye Dog etiquette and demonstrated how a person with vision impairment or blindness may use a sighted guide. The Commissioner and her staff wore goggles to develop an understanding of different vision conditions and the impact these may have on daily living, education and work. Rebecca also provided examples of braille where a short literary passage had been transcribed into Grade 1 Braille (Uncontracted) and Grade 2 Braille (Contracted). The Commissioner and her staff tried reading the braille and were attentive to the differences.
Claire Collins and Lorraine Farrelly, from the Access and Equity section of Deaf Education, presented the deafness awareness. They described the key components of the ear and how these impact on hearing. They demonstrated modes of communication including using Auslan interpreters enabling an authentic interpreting experience. The audience was treated to a simulated class spelling activity and were challenged to spell all the words correctly. Claire taught the participants some key words signs and how to fingerspell. The participants were pleased to actively learn finger spelling and were looking forward to trying their new skill.
Many thoughtful questions were asked and the enthusiastic and highly engaged participants left with a greater understanding and appreciation of sensory loss.
Rebecca Hunt, from Vision Education, described blindness and vision impairment, effective communication techniques, Seeing Eye Dog etiquette and demonstrated how a person with vision impairment or blindness may use a sighted guide. The Commissioner and her staff wore goggles to develop an understanding of different vision conditions and the impact these may have on daily living, education and work. Rebecca also provided examples of braille where a short literary passage had been transcribed into Grade 1 Braille (Uncontracted) and Grade 2 Braille (Contracted). The Commissioner and her staff tried reading the braille and were attentive to the differences.
Claire Collins and Lorraine Farrelly, from the Access and Equity section of Deaf Education, presented the deafness awareness. They described the key components of the ear and how these impact on hearing. They demonstrated modes of communication including using Auslan interpreters enabling an authentic interpreting experience. The audience was treated to a simulated class spelling activity and were challenged to spell all the words correctly. Claire taught the participants some key words signs and how to fingerspell. The participants were pleased to actively learn finger spelling and were looking forward to trying their new skill.
Many thoughtful questions were asked and the enthusiastic and highly engaged participants left with a greater understanding and appreciation of sensory loss.
11th February 2014
“Not by Bread Alone”
On the 11th of February 2014 five YAC members were in the audience for Not by Bread Alone at the Regal Theatre. The performance was by Israel’s Nalaga’at. All the actors in the company are deafblind. The tickets were very kindly offered to the YAC members by the Commissioner for Children and Young People. At the end of the show the audience was able to go on stage and meet the actors and try some of their bread (baked during the show!). It was a fantastic performance and one that was enjoyed by all the YAC members and staff.
Vanessa, Michael and Mina meeting an Nalaga’at actor after the show.
Vanessa, Michael and Mina meeting an Nalaga’at actor after the show.
10th September 2013
Commissioner Impressed with YAC
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The YAC members had the privilege of meeting the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Michelle Scott at the meeting last night. Read her online diary here.
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26th August 2013
Mina's Speech at the Hearing Awareness Week Breakfast
Mina made a great speech to all the guests of the Deafness Council WA's Hearing Awareness Week breakfast. Mina spoke about the Youth Advisory Council's role and plans for the furure including a camp next year for year 6, 7 and 8 students.
Well done Mina.
Well done Mina.
13th April 2013
The WAIDE Youth Advisory Council Quiz Night.
The YAC held a very successful quiz night on the 13th of April inside the Glyde Hall. The hall was full and everyone had a wonderful time. The quiz night raised over $2,500, exceeding anything imagined.
All the YAC members extend a big thank you to everyone who came along and contributed to raising this total. A very big thank you goes to all the sponsors who donated many, many prizes. Without all these individuals, families and businesses the event would not have been possible. The YAC members would like to thank Kathryn Monaco for all her support and guidance helping them to make the night so successful.
The quiz night raised money for the YAC to further develop their leadership skills and they will organise more events and activities for deaf and hard of hearing youth.
All the YAC members extend a big thank you to everyone who came along and contributed to raising this total. A very big thank you goes to all the sponsors who donated many, many prizes. Without all these individuals, families and businesses the event would not have been possible. The YAC members would like to thank Kathryn Monaco for all her support and guidance helping them to make the night so successful.
The quiz night raised money for the YAC to further develop their leadership skills and they will organise more events and activities for deaf and hard of hearing youth.
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10th October 2012
Kathryn Monaco presented information about the WAIDE Youth Advisory Council at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children in Sydney. Check out the presentation.
October 2012
YAC member Amy Neill wrote an article about the WADIE Youth Advisory Council for the Aussie Deaf Kids newsletter. Check out the article.
Kathryn Monaco presented information about the WAIDE Youth Advisory Council at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children in Sydney. Check out the presentation.
October 2012
YAC member Amy Neill wrote an article about the WADIE Youth Advisory Council for the Aussie Deaf Kids newsletter. Check out the article.
