As we approach the year's end, the Victorian Deaf Education Institute (VDEI) extends warm wishes for a joyful and restful festive season. We look forward to continued engagement and collaboration on exciting projects and initiatives in the upcoming year.
This year marked a significant transition for the Institute, as we relocated to 2 Treasury Place after 11 years at our purpose-built premises on the grounds of Deaf Children Australia’s St Kilda Road site. While adjusting to the move presented some challenges, we are benefitting from being closer to our Inclusive Education Professional Practice branch colleagues and participating in the vibrant activities of the CBD.
Our focus throughout the year has centred on advancing several key projects. VDEI funded two ground-breaking audiological studies in collaboration with the University of Melbourne. The first investigates the impact of soundfield systems on academic outcomes, while the second investigates the use of tele-audiology technology to remotely assess and diagnose hearing loss in Prep children. Additionally, we've been actively involved in projects such as Automatic Captioning and Transcription Software, post-secondary transition, and the development of Auslan skills and training.
Auslan continues to be one of the most popular languages taught in Victorian schools. VDEI is dedicated to ensuring the highest standard of Auslan teaching and interpreting in schools. We are committed to developing professional learning resources and training programs, offering opportunities for teachers, allied professionals, and support staff to enhance their knowledge and communication skills in Auslan. Notably, VDEI's sponsorship of Monash University’s Auslan Signbank expansion contributes significantly to the advancement of Auslan knowledge and usage.
As we bid farewell to 2023, VDEI expresses gratitude for your support throughout the year. We eagerly anticipate the new opportunities and collaborations that lie ahead.
