A member of the Can:Do Group

Pathways (6 - 25 Years)

Target Audience: 6 -18+ children and young people who have a sensory impairment (deaf or hearing impaired and blind or vision impaired).

Key Focus:

  • Strengthening school support and interaction

  • Support for children and young people and their families at identified key transition times in their life

  • Community access - providing links, taste tests and programs around social, recreational and community connection


Our Pathways Consultants work with children and young people to encourage them to reach their full potential and focus on what they 'Can Do' giving them skills and self-confidence to have the same opportunities and experiences as other kids.
The service works in collaboration with teachers and professionals and in partnership with the young person’s family to achieve goals that best suit their needs.

Auslan (Australian Sign Language) Programme

Our Auslan (Australian Sign Language) Programme is a family focused approach to language learning which helps Deaf children and children with impaired hearing learn to communicate through the use of signed language and learn English through Auslan as the 'language of instruction'.

Through regular intervention sessions and strategies that the family can use at home, the child is taught visual communication and Auslan language skills, so that observation and visual attention become part of their everyday communication, play and learning.

Families are guided through their child's development and supported to implement strategies to facilitate their child’s visual language acquisition. A bilingual/bicultural approach is used which supports and teaches children and their family about Deaf culture and the Deaf Community. Speech Therapy is available to assist children who wish to develop speech skills.
 

 

Eligibility to register for services with CanDo4Kids

Youth Pathways (6 – 25 years old)

Vision Impairment Criteria

An individual with an eye condition that can not be corrected by glasses or contact lenses.

Referrals

Can be made by:

  • individuals who have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected by contact lenses or glasses over the age of 18 years, can self-refer
  • parent/caregiver
  • any person or agency with permission from the individual or their parents/primary caregivers

Evidence

  • A letter/report from an Ophthalmologist supporting that visual acuity is 6/18 or less in the better eye after correction and/or a visual field of 20 degrees or less, dated within the last 12 months
  • or a letter/report indentifying that an individual is receiving services due to a sensory impairment (Vision) under the Department of Education and Children’s Services ‘Disability Support Program’ or the equivalent for the Catholic and Independent Education Sectors.

 

Hearing Impairment Criteria

An individual with a bilateral hearing loss of greater than 20dB (mild, moderate, severe or profound) in the better ear or a unilateral loss of greater than 45dB (moderate, severe or profound). The loss may be sensorineural, conductive (persisting for over 12 months or recurrent) or mixed.

Referrals

Can be made by:

  • an individual who has a hearing impairment over the age of 18 years can self-refer
  • parent/caregiver
  • any person or agency with permission from the individual or their parents/primary caregivers

Evidence provided to CanDo4Kids

    • A letter/report from an audiologist or ear, nose and throat specialist supporting the above criteria and dated within the last 12 months
    • or a letter/report indentifying that an individual is receiving services due to a sensory impairment (Hearing) under the Department of Education and Children’s Services ‘Disability Support Program’ or the equivalent for the Catholic and Independent Education Sectors.