Families
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Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 2010
What's New
RIDBC Thomas Pattison School music video for Music: Count Us In
Watch the RIDBC Thomas Pattison School Signing Choir in their music video for Music: Count Us In. They will be joining hundreds of other schools on the steps of the Opera House next Thursday, all performing the same song at the same time to raise awareness of the importance of music in schools.
Dubbo Lantern Club Launch
RIDBC is opening its 24th Lantern Club in Dubbo. All welcome to come and join in the morning tea at 10.15, Tuesday August 31 at the Dubbo RSL Club.
RIDBC students help set an unusual world record
With the help of students from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) Thomas Pattison School, the Weather Channel has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest interactive weather report.
Sarah Levett does the hard yards for charity
Justin Norris is training New FM’s Sarah Levett in preparation for the 2010 RIDBC Hunter Splash.
RIDBC Signing Choir counts down to ‘Music: Count Us In’
On Wednesday, August 4, students from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, RIDBC Thomas Pattison School, shot their video clip for Music: Count Us In, an initiative of the Music Council of Australia for the promotion of music in schools nationally. Watch the RIDBC Thomas Pattison School Signing Choir in their music video for Music: Count Us In.
Sheep arrival helps kids develop language
A great day was had by all who came to the official opening of the RIDBC Hunter sheep pen last Friday.
RIDBC Applauds the ‘Better Start for Children’ Initiative
The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) applauds the Government’s Better Start for Children with Disability initiative which highlights the importance of early intervention for children with disabilities.
Sheep a success for kids with sensory disabilities
On Friday 30 July, the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) welcomes two new additions to its RIDBC Hunter Centre – Chops and Fatso the sheep.
Maxine McKew visits RIDBC
Maxine McKew, Federal Member for Bennelong visited the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) on Wednesday 30 June to see first hand the educational services for children who have significant hearing and/or vision impairment.
Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) is Australia’s premier provider of educational services to children with hearing and/or vision impairment.
In 2010, RIDBC celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Did you know? (Facts about deafness and blindness)
RIDBC sesquicentennial annniversary
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In 2010, RIDBC celebrates its 150th anniversary
On 22 October 1860, Thomas Pattison, a deaf migrant from Scotland, commenced classes with seven deaf children in a converted house in Sydney’s Liverpool Street.
This day marked the humble, yet devoted, origins of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) and its 150 year journey to become Australia’s largest independent special educator providing vital education and support to more than 920 children and their families across Australia each year.
» Click here to read more about RIDBC's history.
» RIDBC's fascinating 150 year story in pictures
» Watch RIDBC Ambassador Sir Michael Parkinson go in to bat for the Australian charity he holds close to his heart
» Helen Keller visits RIDBC in 1948. Watch the original newsreel
Featuring
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Reaching rural families now
Kristian was just four weeks old when he and his family were flown to Sydney from Maude, NSW and told that Kristian was profoundly deaf. Having a child diagnosed with hearing impairment is difficult enough. However, living in a small town with only 30 residents on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, 780 km southwest of Sydney, posed additional challenges for Kristian’s parents, Mark and Kathryn.
However, the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) has solved the ‘tyranny of distance’ for many families like Kristian’s with its RIDBC Teleschool service.
» Read more about Kristian and the RIDBC Teleschool» How you can help students like Kristian
Featuring
Happy birthday Elodie!
The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) is not the only one celebrating a birthday – this month RIDBC student Elodie, who is blind and has additional needs, turns seven.
For Elodie’s parents, this milestone is a reminder of just how far their little girl has come.
» Read more about Elodie» How you can help students like Elodie
For Parents
Does your child have a vision impairment?
Ask about joining the Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register, a free information service for you and your child.
Be Informed
Advice and information for parents of a child with a hearing impairment, vision impairment, or both.
Educating Your children
Find out more about RIDBC's schools and services, how we work with parents, and RIDBC Teleschool.
RIDBC Auslan Tutor
RIDBC Auslan Tutor
The RIDBC Auslan Tutor is a portable video-based Australian Sign Language (Auslan) teaching resource developed specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch.
It is designed for families of young deaf children to assist them to learn Auslan and promote early communication between parent and child. Over 500 signs are included. These signs were carefully chosen as those most needed by families in their interactions with, and teaching of, their young deaf children.
» Read the RIDBC Auslan Tutor press release
» RIDBC Auslan Tutor support page
How to Help
Volunteer
Be a volunteer, or join a fundraising committee.
Join the new Central Coast Lantern Club to make a difference in the lives of deaf children and blind children. For more information, download the Central Coast Lantern Club poster
Donate
Donate online now using our secure online facility, or donate through corporate giving, bequests, and more.
Events
Get involved in our events, or run your own, and join in the fun!
Buy an Entertainment™ Book
The 2010/2011 Entertainment™ Books are now available for purchase through our Online Shop.
RIDBC Teleschool
New service for regional and rural families
RIDBC is pleased to announce a new program known as RIDBC Teleschool, which combines the existing Remote Early Learning Programs for vision impairment and hearing impairment.
RIDBC Teleschool is also building on the success of these existing programs by now offering a school age service to children aged 6-18 with hearing impairment. The service is partially funded by the Commonwealth Government under the Invest to Grow initiative.
» Find out more about RIDBC Teleschool.
» Case study: Bella loves to talk!
