DEAFinitely Stepping Ahead is a programme specifically designed for D/deaf or hearing impaired students in their last year or two of school who are thinking about further education, training or looking for their first job.

Its aim is to help young people be sure that their next steps are the right ones by checking they:

• know all the services available to them and know how to access them
• can quickly and easily organise NZSL interpreters and people who can work with the person
• can easily access Deaf Awareness resources
• have strategies for effective communication and are clear about what steps they need to take
• can access specific D/deaf-related equipment (new hearing aids, alarm clocks etc) so you can be confident, independent and successful in stepping out into the world!

The programme can run from 3-12 months, depending on the choice of content so there’s plenty of time for the person,their family, whanau and school to complete each stage.

We provide a person from Deaf Aotearoa who mentors each person who are easily to communicate with. This person will then work alongside the young person for them to take the steps needed to become confident when integrating into the wider community

Watch the DEAFinitely Stepping Ahead video and learn what its all about.

DEAFinitely Stepping Ahead brochure