from YAPRap September 2003
by Al Bingham, YAPRap Feature Writer
Young people can grow in many ways. One of the best ways is for them to learn positive lessons from their peers. Wollongong Youth Services has taken this strategy to heart and set up a support group for deaf and hearing-impaired young people, run out of the generalist youth service - the only group of this kind in NSW.
One of the major benefits of the group is that young people who have otherwise limited contact with disabled people get to experience first hand what life is like for their peers who live with a disability. As a result their lives become enriched. Many of the young people and youth workers at Wollongong Youth Services have gained a far greater appreciation of the importance of visual communication skills and some have even started to learn a little Auslan.
There were a few steps that Wollongong Youth Services took to set up the group. Firstly, negotiations with Wollongong Council were undertaken for a few years to set up a joint project with deaf young people. Next, a committee was formed of parents, the Deaf Society of NSW, and specialists in schools. This committee agreed on the broad project aim of setting up an activities-based group for 12 to 18 year olds. Then a place and time were chosen to hold a weekly group for young people to drop in to.
Lots of enthusiastic deaf and hearing-impaired young people attended the first of these groups. They came because they needed a place and time where they could sign and talk without feeling uncomfortable. Links were forged between the young people in the group with a disability and other young people who had already been accessing the drop in service. Young people in the group were also given chances to explore their issues through such tools as Theatre of the Deaf.
The group was co-ordinated by Vimala Colless, youth worker for Wollongong Youth Services. When presenting about the project at the recent YAPA conference she gave some invaluable tips for other youth workers who want to set up something similar. Vimala explained that visual communication skills are important with deaf people. Writing things down and gestures are useful. Email is also a good way to communicate, instead of the phone, and you can even share a computer to type your conversations!
It's important to gain the attention of hearing-impaired and deaf people through touch, which can initially feel odd to youth workers. You need to let them know when you have left a room because they won't have heard you leave, and might not know where you have gone if they need you. Don't talk with your hand over your mouth and make sure that you face the person you are speaking to. Finally, speak as you normally would and don't mumble or exaggerate your words.
Generalist youth work can often overlook the needs of young people with a disability, but those young people are within our target group unless our work plan specifically says otherwise. Youth services can assist to break down the social isolation facing many hearing-impaired and deaf young people by involving them in their service.
Vimala Colless says, 'It's a must for us as a sector to look at working with young people with a disability'.
more information
Vimala Colless
Wollongong Youth Services
02 4226 5969
vcolless@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
