West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children

The West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children (WAFDC) is a Western Australian not-for-profit organisation that supports deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. It was established in 1896 and describes itself as having a legacy of leadership for deaf children. In its early years the Foundation, based in Cottesloe, was the only facility in Western Australia catering to the education of deaf children. After the Department of Education assumed responsibility for the schooling of deaf and hard of hearing children in the 1950s, the Foundation shifted its focus to enhancing educational opportunities through advocacy and the provision of practical support, assistance and hostel accommodation. Today WAFDC continues to respond to the learning and educational needs of young West Australians aged 0 to 24 years and their families with a holistic approach that includes health, social, welfare and schooling advocacy, information and support. Its stated purpose is to make a difference to the lives of deaf children and their families, from cradle to career, and its promise is to be a change agent and central support hub giving every deaf child and family the knowledge, networks and confidence they need for a happy childhood along with life skills and resilience. The Foundation provides information and support to families with deaf and hard of hearing children in Western Australia, including through a Family Network Group that connects children and families with opportunities and activities. It also hosts the WA Deaf Education History / Heritage Group, which works to preserve documents, photographs and items related to the history of deaf education in Western Australia from 1897 to 2017. WAFDC participates in the WA Containers for Change scheme, through which supporters can donate 10 cents per container using a barcode, Scheme ID or QR code at any C4C depot, and it runs tax-deductible appeals such as an end-of-financial-year appeal to support deaf and hard of hearing children and their families in WA.

The West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children (Inc) was established in 1896 to improve the lives and education of deaf and hard of hearing children in Western Australia. In its infancy, the Foundation, based in Cottesloe, was the only facility catering to the education of deaf children anywhere in the State. In 1900, the "House on the Hill" in Cottesloe became the home of the West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children. The organisation has a proud history of bringing deaf education to Western Australia and, since its formation as the only deaf educator for children, evolved into the lead advocate for deaf education. Following negotiations, the Department of Education assumed responsibility for the schooling of deaf and hard of hearing children in the 1950s. The Foundation's focus then changed to enhancing the educational opportunities of deaf and hard of hearing children through advocacy and the provision of practical support, assistance and hostel accommodation. WAFDC has always focused on filling the unmet needs of this vulnerable community. Today the legacy of the Foundation's importance in the lives of hundreds of deaf children and their families is celebrated by the WAFDC Historical Society. WAFDC hosts the WA Deaf Education History / Heritage Group, which is working on preserving documents, photographs and items related to the history of deaf education in Western Australia from 1897 to 2017. Now, WAFDC continues to respond to the learning and educational needs of young West Australians aged 0 to 24 years and their families with a holistic approach that includes health, social, welfare and schooling advocacy, information and support. WAFDC leads the way in the sector to address unmet needs with its inclusive and collaborative approach.

• 1950

  Following negotiations, the Department of Education assumed responsibility for the schooling of deaf and hard of hearing children, and the Foundation's focus changed to advocacy and practical support.

• 1900

  The "House on the Hill" in Cottesloe became the home of the West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children.

• 1896

  The West Australian Foundation for Deaf Children (Inc) was established to improve the lives and education of deaf and hard of hearing children in Western Australia.

A long-established Western Australian not-for-profit and lead advocate for deaf education, positioning itself as a central support hub for deaf children and their families from cradle to career.

Product categories. Family support and information services · Family Network Group · Advocacy for deaf education · Hostel accommodation support · WA Deaf Education History / Heritage Group

1. 1West Australian Foundation for Deaf Childrenwafdc.org.au
2. 2Our History – West Australian Foundation for Deaf Childrenwafdc.org.au
3. 3WA Deaf Education History – West Australian Foundation for Deaf Childrenwafdc.org.au
4. 4Your Story – West Australian Foundation for Deaf Childrenwafdc.org.au
5. 5West Australian Foundation for Deaf Childrenwikidata.org