A new Sporting Schools partnership is making it easier for deaf or hard of hearing students to participate in sport.

Active Deaf Kids, delivered by Deaf Sports Australia in partnership with national sporting organisations, provides a development officer trained in communicating with deaf or hard of hearing students to support the coach with the delivery of a Sporting Schools program.

General Manager for Deaf Sports Australia, Phil Harper, said that offering the program through Sporting Schools will help to increase deaf or hard of hearing students’ participation in sport.

“Deaf or hard of hearing students are often faced with barriers to participating in sport. They are more likely to be at risk of mental health issues and live a sedentary lifestyle,” said Harper.

“This is because it’s harder for deaf or hard of hearing students to communicate while on the field or court.”

The Active Deaf Kids program aims to increase awareness of the health and social benefits of participating in sport to deaf and hard of hearing students by breaking down communication barriers.

“Our program allows schools to request a development officer that can help with communicating with deaf or hard of hearing students.

“Not only does this make it easier for them to participate in the sport but they have a role model to look up to that understands the challenges that they are facing.”

Visit the Deaf Sports Australia Sporting Schools page for more information on how to book the program and partner NSOs.