Policy Briefs

At Parents of Deaf Children (PODC), our policy briefs are designed to bridge the gap between lived experience, research, and decision-making.

These briefs bring together what families are experiencing in real time, what the evidence tells us, and what systems are currently doing—or not doing. They are intended to make complex issues clear, highlight systemic gaps, and support more informed, inclusive responses across government, education, health, and disability sectors.

Our policy briefs are built from:

• the lived experiences of the families we support
• ongoing engagement with Deaf community members, professionals, and stakeholders
• national and international research
• direct advocacy across systems including NDIS, education, early intervention, and health

They are not theoretical documents.
They reflect what is happening now for children and families—and where change is needed.

What you will find in our policy briefs

Each brief is structured to be practical, clear, and usable. They typically:

• explain the issue and why it matters
• outline current policy settings and system responses
• identify gaps, risks, and unintended consequences
• provide evidence-informed recommendations
• centre the importance of language access, inclusion, and participation

Where relevant, briefs also highlight how issues intersect across systems, recognising that families do not experience services in isolation.

How to use these briefs

Our policy briefs can be used in different ways depending on your role:

Families

• Build understanding of complex systems
• Support advocacy conversations with services, schools, and planners
• Strengthen confidence when raising concerns or requesting change

Professionals and services

• Reflect on current practices
• Identify gaps in service delivery
• Support more inclusive and accessible approaches

Policy makers and organisations

• Inform policy development and reform
• Understand real-world impact of decisions
• Strengthen consultation and co-design processes

Our approach

We take a disability-positive, Deaf-informed approach that recognises:

• Deaf children have the right to full access to language
• inclusion is not created by policy alone—it requires implementation
• families are key partners in designing better systems
• access is foundational, not optional

Our work is grounded in the principles of participation, equity, and respect, consistent with Australia’s obligations under frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The_Missing_Test_Why_Vestibular_Assessment 2026