A common “entry” point for TAFE is either through a course co-ordinator or through the Disability Liaison Officer (DLO). Sometimes, with the best of intentions, either one of these professionals can erect barriers for a deaf person wishing to undertake a course. It can happen because of a number of factors:

• misunderstandings about deafness and how it does or doesn’t limit an individual
• misunderstanding of what is called “the inherent requirements” of the course
• misunderstandings of how assessment can or cannot be modified without impacting on the integrity of the course
• lack of knowledge about devices that may assist a deaf person both during study as well as later in the workplace

• If your deaf son or daughter is having difficulties...
  
• What if the barrier is about Occupational Health and Safety?
  
• What if they are told they can't do a course or a job because they are deaf ...
  
• What the TAFE or university says they cannot provide the support that your son or daughter needs?
  
• Does your son or daughter have challenges reading and/or writing English?
  
• Early life deafness – how are language and speech different?
  
• Language development for people with early life deafness
  
• How is English literacy impacted by early life deafness?
  
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