Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Annual Report 2014

Meet Morgan, Bill and Lindy, just some of the many children and adults with vision or hearing loss who were supported by RIDBC in 2014

RIDBCANNUALREPORT2014

20OUR SERVICES

CONTENTS

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE ABOUT RIDBC

8

2014 HIGHLIGHTS

12 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

14

OUR COMMUNITY

16

56OUR PEOPLE

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Annual Report 20142

4

19ANNABEL AND CLAIRE’S STORY

CONTENTS

LINDY’S STORY

18

NATHANIEL’S STORY

24

SCIC COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM MERGER

28

UEB ONLINE – A WORLD FIRST! 32

17MORGAN’S STORY

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This was a year of acceleration and diversification for RIDBC, one in which we saw continued growth in service accessibility; the extension of our footprint; a broadening of our core client mix to include services for adults with hearing loss; and a recalibration of our funding sources, services models, and investment portfolio to achieve sustainability and growth.

Our community – the children, adults, families and professionals we serve remains our highest priority. Throughout the year, and right across the organisation, we worked to find ways to improve outcomes, providing tailored and integrated programs and services, creating a more agile and responsive workforce, and

building essential infrastructure and systems to ensure RIDBC is fit for purpose and ready to respond to the changing needs of people with vision or hearing loss.

THE IMPETUS FOR CHANGERIDBC operates in a dynamic and competitive environment. Ongoing changes in the health, education and disability services sectors, increased options for intervention and support, and the changing way that people with disabilities access and choose their service providers, are transforming the sector in exciting ways and encouraging charitable organisations such as ours to re-examine our

operating models. Competing in this environment requires an unwavering commitment to our core mission to make a difference in the lives of people with vision or hearing loss. RIDBC is well placed to take on these new challenges, whilst also identifying the key areas where we must continuously strive to improve.

RIDBC’S CHANGE AGENDA2014 saw us embark on an ambitious change agenda, spearheaded by a number of key strategic initiatives designed to refine and build upon our sustainability and growth. We continue to focus strategically on improving outcomes and service accessibility, driving this focus through three pillars, our community, our services and our people. Some of these strategic initiatives are outlined below, and other inspiring

Report of the President and Chief Executive

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

We are pleased to present this annual review of RIDBC in 2014 – a year when our consistent focus on improving sustainability and growth resulted in significant and essential changes for the organisation.

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stories can be found within this report.

2014 STRATEGIC INITIATIVESIncreasing Service Accessibility and Sustainability Throughout 2014 we continued to expand our footprint, rolling out defined-purpose sites offering a mix of services tailored to local needs. As part of this initiative, we commissioned a new site in Liverpool in South Western Sydney and undertook a full redevelopment of RIDBC Darwin.

A Third Party Verification (TPV) process is under way, examining and interrogating the quality of our service provision and giving us an opportunity to strengthen our consultation with, and responsiveness to, our staff and clients. This TPV

process will position us well for compliance with the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework and will ensure continued strong corporate governance for RIDBC.

Merger of SCIC and RIDBC On 1 July 2014, SCIC and RIDBC joined forces to provide Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cochlear implant program for people of all ages. This merger heralded significant change for RIDBC, adding six new sites to our portfolio, strengthening our ability to provide a broader range of cochlear implant services to both children and adults, and transitioning more than 50 staff from SCIC Limited and University of Sydney into RIDBC’s employment. An integrated model of cochlear implantation, education, therapy and rehabilitation support services is now fully operational, with

permanent cochlear implant services provided from ten sites and remote mapping services provided to people living in regional and remote communities across Australia. The full integration of the SCIC Cochlear Implant Program as an RIDBC service continues to present opportunities for the growth and expansion of RIDBC.

Review of RIDBC Schools and Preschools In 2014 a comprehensive review of our school programs delivered a series of recommendations, including the establishment of two RIDBC Centres of Excellence focused specifically on vision and hearing loss, the implementation of a new management structure, and the design of purpose-built facilities to accommodate contemporary service delivery. The assessment of these

RIDBC Chief Executive, Chris Rehn (L), and RIDBC President, Sean Wareing (R), spending time with students Skye and Adam, at Rockie Woofit Preschool for children with hearing loss




recommendations is under way and a subsequent review of RIDBC preschools has commenced. We welcome these reviews as they ensure we will continue to provide world-class programs based on best practice, respond to changes in enrolment patterns and school funding models, and capitalise on synergies in structure and infrastructure across the organisation.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Preparedness The NDIS will have a truly, positive impact on the lives of people living with disability, as well as having a significant impact on the way services are provided in the future. Since July 2013, we have participated in the NDIS trial site in the Hunter region of NSW, providing us with a unique insight into the changes that are required to ensure we survive and thrive in this new disability services environment. To be ‘NDIS ready’ we are focused on supporting the great work already happening at RIDBC by maintaining sustainable high quality services, effectively marketing these services to clients and industry partners, refining our information technology systems, supporting local service growth, collaborating with other organisations to meet client needs, and ensuring we deliver premium services that are flexible and offer value for money. The NDIS will continue to be a major driving force behind our change management agenda in 2015, ensuring RIDBC’s sustainability into the future.

Review and recalibration of RIDBC funding sources In 2014 we undertook a restructure of our fundraising directorate with a view to reducing our reliance on fundraising income. We are taking a systematic approach by reducing our operational reliance on bequests, lottery and direct marketing income as well as diversifying and building additional revenue streams. We are building even stronger relationships with corporate and individual donors, major donors, and with young people who have an affinity with RIDBC’s vision and mission. We are also building fee-for-service revenue streams; maximising income from government sources; and leveraging our investment portfolio and asset base.

Enhancement of RIDBC Marketing and Communications

In 2014 we established a new marketing and communications directorate, focusing on effectively marketing our programs and services directly to clients and referral partners as well as positioning RIDBC within an increasingly competitive marketplace.

RIDBC has traditionally only marketed for fundraising purposes and the enhancement of this function introduces essential services marketing activity to meet the changing environment created by the NDIS.

Focusing on our people Throughout 2014 we continued to focus on engaging and energising our teams to deliver our range of comprehensive services and organisational priorities in an effective and agile way. We are encouraging whole-of-organisational thinking by uniting our staff around our cultural values and RIDBC’s clear strategic vision.

We are ensuring that our community – the children, adults, families and professionals we serve is at the centre of everything we do. We call this ‘oneRIDBC’, an approach that brings our whole organisation together to deliver an outstanding service to our community whilst providing a collaborative, successful and sustainable environment for us all to work in.

Australian Hearing Privatisation In 2014, RIDBC entered a submission in response to the Australian Government’s Commission of Audit into the privatisation of Australian Hearing.

We are working to ensure that government develops a long term and sustainable model to preserve Australian Hearing’s original intent, infrastructure and expertise; protects its capability to continue serving Australia’s most vulnerable groups with hearing loss; and extends its remit to provide a total hearing service for all Australians, including to those who cannot presently access services, such as the 27-65 years group and those who would benefit from cochlear implantation.

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We are staying close to the government on this opportunity and will continue to position RIDBC as a key influencer with government, private and not for profit stakeholders.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCEIn 2014, RIDBC recorded total revenue of $41.9m with total expenditure of $37.9m resulting in a surplus of $4m after non-operating items. Of note, included in this result is the reported non-operating gain on acquisition of $3.2m from the inclusion of the business of SCIC on 1 July.

Exclusive of this, the operating result for the year of $0.7m is an improvement on 2013, primarily due to the improvements in government grants and subsidies and investment income received. Fundraising significantly underpinned our high quality services with 41% of operating revenue derived from fundraising in 2014.

Despite the strong financial performance of RIDBC in 2014, our budget forecast for 2015 predicts an overall deficit position. As is the case for many organisations operating in the disability services sector, we anticipate a decline in government grants and subsidies, as well as a potential decline in fundraising income as the NDIS continues to roll out across Australia, and we will continue to explore all avenues to ensure the long term financial sustainability of RIDBC.

LOOKING AHEADWe have a clear strategy and our focus for the year ahead will be on strengthening and diversifying our programs and services, investing to improve our site and services infrastructure, maintaining our focus on sustainability and growth, and building organisational capability and capacity to respond to changing market conditions.

We are currently undertaking a master planning project to develop long term plans for our North Rocks site, in response to changing dynamics and the need for further investment in our facilities across the organisation. We are also building a central database system that will enable a focus on business performance and innovation, providing real time analytics and reporting outcomes under the NDIS. These research results and services statistics will help us continuously improve and evolve.

RIDBC’s longevity within the disability sector and our reputation for service excellence is unparalleled, however, as more and more organisations begin to compete for a share of the disability services marketplace, we recognise the need to externally benchmark and review our capabilities and promote our services. This will ensure that children and adults with vision or hearing loss continue to benefit from RIDBC’s expertise in the future.

This year’s annual report pays tribute to the many generous donors and supporters

whose ongoing enthusiasm, interest and support allows us to continue to provide life changing services to thousands of Australians with vision or hearing loss. We would also like to acknowledge our staff, supporters, partner organisation and volunteers, including our valued RIDBC Board members, for their significant contributions again this year.

Despite this being a year of considerable change, our focus on improving outcomes and service accessibility for people with vision or hearing loss is unwavering. As we continue to grow and adapt to market forces, we will continue to invest in our community, our services and our people to ensure that RIDBC is ready to tackle the challenges and significant opportunities in front of us.

Sean P Wareing RIDBC President

Chris Rehn RIDBC Chief Executive

$41.9mIN 2014

RIDBC recorded total revenue of $41.9m, an increase

against 2013 of $8.2m.

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About RIDBC and 2014 Highlights

RAISED IN 2014 through charitable

fundraising activities

$15.6m

9

RIDBC QUARTERLY newsletters distributed

140k+POSTGRADUATE

STUDENTS enrolled through

RIDBC Renwick Centre

222Continuing Professional Education Presentations

DELIVERED

110

Isla, who has hearing loss, loves attending RIDBC Garfield Barwick School


ABOUT RIDBC

The range of specialist services available at RIDBC is unique in Australia and benefits thousands of children, adults, families and professionals each year.

These services are delivered by a broad group of highly qualified professionals including: teachers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, audiologists, orthoptists, psychologists, social workers, technology consultants, physiotherapists, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)

surgeons, paediatricians and more. Using in-person sessions combined with modern technology, RIDBC connects children, adults and families across Australia to the expert education, therapy, cochlear implant and vision or hearing support services they need.

As a charity, RIDBC relies significantly on fundraising and community support to continue to make a difference in the lives of people with vision or hearing loss.

ABOUT US

ROYAL INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND CHILDREN (RIDBC) IS AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST NON-GOVERNMENT PROVIDER OF EDUCATION, THERAPY AND COCHLEAR IMPLANT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH VISION OR HEARING LOSS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE PROFESSIONALS WHO SUPPORT THEM

OUR VALUES In everything we do, we are always

• Ethical

• Innovative

• Striving for high quality

• Respectful to all people

• Sharing knowledge

• Child, adult and family focused

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OUR HISTORY RIDBC was established in 1860, 20 years before education became compulsory for sighted and hearing children and more than 80 years before school attendance became compulsory for children who were deaf or blind.

Originally located at Liverpool Street in Sydney, in the early 1960s RIDBC relocated to North Rocks, where its main site remains today. Over the past decade RIDBC’s footprint has continued to expand, with services now being provided from 17 permanent sites across Australia. We also support people in regional and remote areas of Australia using high quality video conferencing technology.

In 2014, RIDBC merged with the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC), to provide Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cochlear implant program for people of all ages. This merger represents a major milestone in RIDBC’s evolution, resulting in the provision of cochlear implant, therapy and rehabilitation services to both children and adults for the first time in our 154 year history.

Over the coming years we will continue to respond to the

introduction of the Federal Government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) across Australia, and will remain focused on continuously improving our outcomes and service accessibility to achieve sustainability and growth for RIDBC and for the children, adults, families and professionals we serve.

OUR OBJECTIVES To provide quality and innovative services, to achieve the best outcomes for current and future generations of Australians with vision and/or hearing loss.

To engage in research, information dissemination, professional preparation and continuing staff development for teachers and associated professionals in the field of sensory disability.

To recruit the best people we can, engage them in challenging work, and continually develop their skills and knowledge so that we achieve the best outcomes for people with vision or hearing loss.

To provide sufficient funding from diverse sources to have maximum impact on the mission of RIDBC.

OUR SERVICES RIDBC provides specialist vision and hearing services for children, adults, families and professionals, including:

• Assessment and diagnostics

• Early intervention and early learning programs

• Specialist preschools, schools and school support

• Teleschool and telepractice programs

• Therapy and rehabilitation services

• Audiology and cochlear implant services

• Research, postgraduate and continuing professional education programs.

OUR MISSION

TO PROVIDE QUALITY AND INNOVATIVE SERVICES, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST OUTCOMES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF AUSTRALIANS WITH VISION AND/OR HEARING LOSS

ABOUT RIDBC

For further information about RIDBC services call 1300 581 391 or visit www.ridbc.org.au

Far Left: Bill, who receives support from RIDBC Early Learning Program (Hearing Impairment), with his mother Louise and RIDBC Chief Executive, Chris Rehn


2014 HIGHLIGHTS

RIDBC FOOTPRINT In 2014, RIDBC significantly increased its reach, with services now being provided from 17 permanent sites throughout Australia. We also support people living in regional and remote areas across Australia and provide training to students and professionals based nationally and internationally.

2014 IN NUMBERSRIDBC is constantly evolving in response to the changing needs of the children, adults, families and professionals we serve, and in response to changes in the external environment. During 2014, we:

• Focused on national service delivery, supporting more than 6,000 clients across Australia

• Provided education and therapy to more than 1,500 people

• Conducted 380 cochlear implant surgeries

• Enrolled 222 students in postgraduate courses

• Engaged with over 61,000 fundraising supporters

• Delivered 3,250 person-days of continuing education

• Raised $15.6m through charitable fundraising activities and bequests

• Provided services from 17 permanent sites and delivered services via telepractice to people living in regional and remote communities across Australia

• Employed over 450 staff in a variety of service and support roles

• Broadened our service offering to include cochlear implant services to both children and adults.

RIDBC’S REACH WITHIN AUSTRALIA

Renwick students

RIDBC Teleschool

CPE students

RIDBC sites

SCIC Cochlear Implant Program

17PERMANENT SITES

around Australia

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2014 HIGHLIGHTS

IN JULY RIDBC AND SCIC JOINED FORCES

IN 2014 RIDBC PARTICIPATED IN MANY SMALL AND LARGE-SCALE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Events & Activity Highlights

IN NOVEMBER WE WERE GRANTED JOINT VICE REGAL PATRONAGE

IN MARCH MICHAEL PARKINSON PAID RIDBC A VISIT

THROUGHOUT 2014, RIDBC LANTERN CLUBS CELEBRATED 50 YEARS OF FUNDRAISING

LO-RES



2014 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

In 2014, RIDBC recorded total revenue of $41.9m which was an increase against 2013 of $8.2m. This included $2.47m attributable to the operating revenue added by the acquisition of SCIC on 1 July. We are very grateful for the generosity of our donors and supporters, with 41% of operating revenue derived from fundraising in 2014.

Expenditure increased primarily in student services, reflecting an increased breadth and depth of services for school aged children in 2014. Finance, administration and general management costs were contained to 8.2% of operational expenditure, reflecting the efficient and prudent operation of RIDBC.

2014 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE SUMMARY

2014 ($,000)

2013 ($,000)

Change %

Total Operating Revenue 38,596 33,776 14.3%

Total Operating Expenditure 37,942 33,764 (12.4)%

Operating Surplus / (Deficit) 654 12

Non-operating Items* 3,381 5

Surplus / (Deficit) after Non-operating Items 4,035 17

* 2014 includes $3,249,119 gain upon purchase of the net assets of Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC) Limited completed on 1 July 2014.

Vincent receives support for his vision loss from RIDBC School Support Service (Vision Impairment)

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2% RIDBC Jim Patrick Audiology Centre

Expenditure 2014

70% Student & Client Services

8% Administration

7% Investment in Charitable Fundraising

7% SCIC Cochlear Implant Program

6% RIDBC Rainbow Lottery

1% Investment Management 1%

Community Information & Marketing

Revenue 2014

27% Preschoolers

9% School children who are blind or have low vision

20% School children who are deaf or have hearing loss

17% School children who have sensory and additional disabilites

15% RIDBC Community Support Services

Expenditure: Student Services 2014

7% Other Sales, Fees, Income

33% Charitable Fundraising

32% Government Funding

8% Rainbow Lottery

6% SCIC Cochlear Implant Program

14% Investment Income

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Our CommunityIn 2014, RIDBC responded to the needs of OUR COMMUNITY – the many children and adults impacted by vision or hearing loss, their families, and the professionals who support them. Read on to see how RIDBC supported thousands of people in OUR COMMUNITY in 2014

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OUR COMMUNITY

Morgan’s StoryMeet Morgan, who is almost three years old and is blind.

Morgan accesses RIDBC Teleschool from her home in regional NSW and is being supported to learn braille and develop the skills she will need to succeed in school.

When Morgan was four months old, parents Belinda and Danny began to suspect that she couldn’t see.

“She was picking things up and holding them to her face. It wasn’t the same as with her older sister, Mikeeli,” said Belinda. “At Morgan’s six monthly GP visit we had her vision tested. That afternoon we were packing up and driving to Sydney to see an ophthalmologist.”

Morgan was eventually diagnosed with Coats’ disease in both eyes, a condition that typically only affects boys and usually only affects one eye.

“It took a long time to confirm the diagnosis because Morgan broke all the rules on Coats’ disease,” said Belinda. “On our way home from hospital, having received the final diagnosis, we called RIDBC.”

Morgan began accessing RIDBC Teleschool at eight months of age. This national service supports families living in regional and remote parts of Australia via high-quality video conferencing technology.

Technology is also helping Morgan explore her world.

“Morgan is using her cane, which she calls Minnie,” said Belinda. “She also has an iPad which she loves – she even taught me how to use the VoiceOver function and she loves using apps.”

RIDBC Teleschool Consultant, Kylie Gouliotis, said Morgan is very bright.

“She is doing things I would normally expect a four year old to do, like speaking in eight word sentences and using her Mountbatten Brailler,” said Kylie. “We’re developing her tactile sensitivity by asking her to use her hands to recognise different objects.”

Belinda is grateful for the support her family has received from RIDBC.

“I can turn to RIDBC for advice on everything, even little things like the best toys to buy – she likes the really noisy ones!” said Belinda. “Kylie has gone above and beyond for Morgan. Some teachers look at her and think about her age and match that to her activities, but Kylie really pushes Morgan to achieve.”

RIDBC Teleschool Consultant, Kylie, with Morgan, who is learning to develop her tactile sensitivity so that she can better explore her world

Bill’s StoryMeet Bill who was born 13 weeks premature and spent the first 11 weeks of his life in intensive care.

When his parents found out he had hearing loss, Bill was enrolled in RIDBC Early Learning Program (Hearing Impairment).

RIDBC has continued to support Bill’s family through a move interstate to give him the best possible start in life.


Lindy’s StoryMeet Lindy, a music teacher and professional musician with a cochlear implant.

Lindy started to lose her hearing in her late thirties at a crucial point in her career. She faced non-reversible, degenerating and profound hearing loss. Lindy tried to cope with hearing aids for years before discovering she was a candidate for a cochlear implant through

RIDBC’s SCIC Cochlear Implant Program.

Lindy confessed “there were many moments of fear about the potential outcome, but three days after my cochlear implant was switched on I was performing in a hand bells concert, a few weeks later I was accompanying our choirs on the piano and holding conversations in all kinds of listening situations! Today I barely think of myself as someone with hearing loss”.

RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITYOur community – the children, adults, families and professionals we serve, are our highest priority. Throughout 2014, we improved outcomes for thousands of children with vision or hearing loss through our transdisciplinary services. We also provided cochlear implant services for thousands of children and adults with hearing loss through our SCIC Cochlear Implant Program.

A crucial part of the work we do is to support parents, siblings, family members, friends and colleagues of people with vision or hearing loss, ensuring that the children and adults we work with are supported in their home, school and work environments.

We also provide postgraduate study, research programs and continuing professional education options through RIDBC Renwick Centre, for professionals who are dedicated to supporting people with vision or hearing loss. Our holistic approach means we are truly changing the lives of Australians with vision or hearing loss, every day.

OUR COMMUNITY

Bill’s speech and language is accelerating with support from RIDBC Early Learning Program

Lindy, a musician and music teacher, is one of the thousands of adults being supported by SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service

Annabel and Claire’s StoryMeet Annabel and Claire – sisters who are supporting each other.

Three year old Annabel was diagnosed with hearing loss at birth. Now, she and her older sister, Claire, attend RIDBC Roberta Reid Preschool. Here they both learn English and Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as part of the preschool’s bilingual approach.

“It’s fantastic that Annabel and Claire can learn Auslan together,” said their mum Emily. “It’s turned out that Annabel is able to listen and speak with her cochlear implant and hearing aid, but the confidence and language skills developed through the preschool are beneficial for both girls. It’s been great for the girls to spend time with other children who are deaf. The girls now see that hearing loss is just a different way of experiencing the world.”

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OUR COMMUNITY

In 2014, Dubbo resident, Leah Graham, was one of 62 graduates who completed their postgraduate qualifications in special education, awarded by the University of Newcastle in affiliation with the RIDBC Renwick Centre.

“I worked as a classroom teacher and then started working with the hearing team in Dubbo,” said Leah. “I started working casually with the team 13 years ago and my interest grew from there. I enrolled in a Masters at RIDBC Renwick Centre.

Leah thoroughly enjoyed her studies. “I loved how we could study at our own pace and the support from lecturers was amazing. Their

high level of expertise in the field was invaluable and I have the added benefit of knowing that I am up to date with the latest research in deaf education, which has given me personal confidence,” said Leah.

Through RIDBC Renwick Centre, RIDBC and the University of Newcastle have reversed a trend of diminishing professional specialisation in the field of educating children with a sensory disability. Over 750 graduates from the centre are now working to improve the educational opportunities available to children with sensory impairment around the country and the world.

Leah’s StoryMeet Leah, who is helping to alleviate a critical shortage of trained teachers of children with hearing loss.

Claire (L) and Annabel (R) are both thriving at RIDBC Roberta Reid Preschool

RIDBC Renwick Centre Graduate Leah celebrates the completion of her postgraduate qualifications in hearing impairment

Our ServicesRIDBC works tirelessly to ensure OUR SERVICES are innovative, distinctive and responsive, improving access for people with vision or hearing loss across Australia. Read on to find out how we are refining and growing OUR SERVICES to support more and more people who need our help

2020

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OUR SERVICES – REVIEWING AND IMPROVING

When RIDBC Liverpool was officially launched in July 2014, Christine and Sarkis jumped at the chance to begin accessing support for their daughter, Azayliah, who is one year old and has both vision and hearing loss.

Azayliah was born with a rare syndrome called Branchio Oculo Facial Syndrome. “That’s when our family’s journey with RIDBC started,” said Sarkis.

“Azayliah was diagnosed with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, hearing loss and a heart defect, at only a few weeks of age.

“We wanted to access RIDBC’s services but hesitated because they weren’t in our local area. I work during the day and am the only one who drives as Christine has epilepsy.

“RIDBC Liverpool really changed everything. It’s so close to home and the staff

are so flexible – which is very important. When your child has a disability you end up juggling so many appointments.”

Sarkis said RIDBC’s team of specialists work together to streamline Azayliah’s therapy.

“As parents you want a team of professionals working together to meet your child’s needs and that’s how RIDBC works,” said Sarkis. “It’s also great for Azayliah, seeing familiar faces all the time.”

Sarkis has been overwhelmed by the significant progress Azayliah has made.

“Before we started with RIDBC, Azayliah had trouble recognising and focusing on our faces,” said Sarkis. “Today, Azayliah recognises not only our faces but her surroundings – she has even developed a great love of books.

“When Azayliah was fitted with hearing aids at six weeks of age she struggled with identifying day to day sounds. Now, she is not only aware of her surrounding environment, she is also repeating sounds she hears!”

Sarkis knows firsthand the impact of hearing loss. “I actually have hearing loss as well and when I was growing up there weren’t really any services,” said Sarkis.

“That’s why early intervention is such a big thing for us. With early intervention, the response we are getting from Azayliah is amazing – she recently said ‘mumma’ for the first time. I didn’t learn to speak until I was three years old.

“You just cannot put a price on what RIDBC provides.”

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Reviewing and Improving Our Services

Far Left: Azayliah attends weekly sessions at RIDBC with her mum and dad, benefiting from RIDBC’s transdisciplinary early learning program

Left: RIDBC Liverpool is launched, to support families in Sydney’s south west

Azayliah’s StoryNew centre gives Azayliah the best start



SERVICE ACCESSIBILITY AND SITESThroughout 2014, RIDBC continued to expand our footprint, with a “hub and spoke” model of service delivery offering a mix of services, tailored to local need. We now offer a range of vision and hearing services from 17 permanent sites and we support over 200 people living in regional and remote areas of Australia through high quality video conference technology.

In our continued approach to provide services that are geographically accessible, we officially opened a new facility in Liverpool in July to serve children, families and adults in Sydney’s south-west. We renovated our RIDBC Darwin site in November, enabling us to deliver an expanded range of services from a single location, including early intervention, therapy, diagnostics and cochlear

implant services, as well as hosting visiting ENT surgeons.

Towards the end of 2014, we continued our geographical expansion in the ACT, using SCIC Cochlear Implant Program’s existing strong presence in Canberra as a launch pad to expand our service offering in the region. We are scoping the market opportunity in Port Macquarie.

NDIS – THE CHANGING FACE OF DISABILITY SERVICESThe introduction of the NDIS is already having a significant impact on the way services are provided to people living with a disability. RIDBC is a registered provider of NDIS and has been operating in the Hunter NDIS trial site since 2013 and in the ACT since 2014, providing us with a unique insight into the changes that are required to ensure we are able to provide children, adults and families with the best possible options

and support in this new disability services environment.

Our NDIS preparedness strategy focuses on maintaining sustainable high quality services, effectively marketing our services to new and existing clients, refining our information technology infrastructure and systems to manage and report on outcomes, enabling local points of contact and decision making, developing tools and resources to assist our staff to transition to NDIS, collaborating with other organisations to meet the overall needs of clients, and reviewing our costing and pricing models in order to provide optimum service delivery levels.

As the NDIS rolls out across Australia RIDBC is well positioned to respond to the new opportunities that this scheme provides both for our clients and for our organisation.

Huzaifah (L) receives support from RIDBC VisionEd services

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SERVICES FOR CLIENTS FROM INDIGENOUS OR CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE (CALD) COMMUNITIESIn 2014, the RIDBC Indigenous Outreach Program provided hearing screening for 623 children, 163 (26%) of whom were referred for further medical treatment. The program focussed on communities in Dubbo, Walgett, Lightning Ridge/Goodooga and Nambucca Heads/Bowraville. Regular visits to these communities have enhanced rapport with the wider community to ensure better follow up with Indigenous communities. The follow up rate of 37% reflected a significant improvement in the referral outcomes as a result of better communication and collaboration developed through working in partnership with the local service providers and Aboriginal Medical Services.

RIDBC values and acknowledges the issues of culture and diversity in the delivery of programs and services. The number of children from CALD backgrounds receiving services from RIDBC continued to increase steadily in 2014 and now comprises over 22% of all RIDBC children, covering 36 different language groups. Offering and using interpreters skilfully is crucial to gaining an accurate understanding of CALD families’ context, needs and choices. RIDBC’s current strategy of having its own pool of highly trained and reliable freelance interpreters creates the balance of service continuity and flexibility which has proved to be valuable for both our staff and families.

QUALITY REVIEWRIDBC has been undertaking a Third Party Verification (TPV) process throughout 2014, examining and interrogating the quality of our service provision and our commitment to ongoing consultation and communication with our staff and children, adults and families, and being flexible and responsive to opportunities for improvement. This has been a truly organisation wide project requiring teams across RIDBC to work together to ensure that information, documentation, feedback mechanisms and quality measures are up to date and modelled on best practice, to ensure our community benefits from the very best level of service delivery.

CHILDREN from culturally and linguistically

diverse backgrounds

22% 623HEARING SCREENING SERVICES

provided for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children


OUR SERVICES – EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Nathaniel, from regional Queensland, will be two years old in September. He is receiving support from RIDBC for his hearing loss.

Diagnosed with hearing loss at birth, Nathaniel was fitted with hearing aids when he was eight weeks old. “Nathaniel has a syndrome which causes hearing to deteriorate,” said Jodee.

“Our family chose to access RIDBC as they supported our philosophy of offering both speech and sign language support, ensuring Nathaniel would always be able to communicate – even without his hearing aids.”

Nathaniel now accesses RIDBC Teleschool, which supports families in regional and remote areas of Australia using high quality video conferencing technology.

“When Nathaniel seemed to be struggling to connect with

the sounds around him, a test revealed his hearing had deteriorated,” said Jodee. “The new diagnosis meant he was eligible for cochlear implants and I will be forever grateful to RIDBC who coordinated it all. Without RIDBC we would have had to wait for up to six months to get them – he would have missed so much language!

With RIDBC we only had to wait six weeks.”

Nathaniel’s two cochlear implants were ‘switched on’ in August 2013. They are now ‘mapped’ for sound to optimise Nathaniel’s hearing via our remote telemapping service.

“With RIDBC, we don’t have to travel to Brisbane every week for the mapping and we don’t have to relocate to a big city to access the right services. Everything happens from home,” said Jodee.

“Now, with his cochlear implants, Nathaniel listens to everything. ‘Switch on’ really is the right phrase. His concentration levels changed overnight as he no longer has to try to take in everything visually. If an implant comes loose he even tries to put it back on himself!”

Nathaniel’s future now looks even brighter. “Nathaniel saw more specialists in his first 12 months of life than most people see in their lifetime,” said Jodee. “Now, every week Nathaniel makes such progress. We’re excited and he’s excited because he can come out with new words and sounds. His face lights up.

I don’t think of my son as having a disability, he’s just our little guy with extra hardware.”

Educational Services

Nathaniel’s StoryNew sounds to delight Nathaniel

Two year old Nathaniel, from regional Queensland, is receiving support from RIDBC for his hearing loss

www.ridbc.org.au 25


At RIDBC, we know that children with vision or hearing loss like Nathaniel, get the best possible start to life when they, and their families, receive support from skilled early intervention and special education providers. Getting access to specialist education and other RIDBC programs and services allows children to reach their full potential, and that’s why RIDBC provides a full spectrum of integrated educational and clinical services for children of all ages.

EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS In 2014, 430 children were enrolled in RIDBC’s Early Learning Programs, which are tailored according to the individual needs of each child and family, and may involve regular individual sessions, group sessions and family information sessions, that are delivered in-person, through telepractice or a combination of both.

PRESCHOOLSWe supported 47 children through our five RIDBC preschools in 2014. Our VisionEd preschool in North Rocks caters for children with vision loss, our Rockie Woofit preschool caters for children with hearing loss learning to listen and speak, and our Roberta Reid Preschool caters for children learning Australian Sign Language (Auslan). We also run preschools in the Hunter and Nepean for children with hearing and vision loss.

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL SUPPORTRIDBC runs three schools – our Garfield Barwick School at North Parramatta which caters for children with hearing loss who listen and speak with the aid of cochlear implants or hearing aids, and prepares them to transition to mainstream schools. Our RIDBC Thomas Pattison School offers a bilingual educational program for deaf students up to Year 10 who

use Auslan and English. RIDBC Alice Betteridge School caters for school-aged children who have a significant vision or hearing loss, combined with an intellectual impairment. We supported 93 children through these schools in 2014 and supported a further 261 children through our School Support Service.

RIDBC Thomas Pattison School and Garfield Barwick School both underwent the NSW Government Board of Studies Registration process in 2014 and both schools were granted a five year registration as a result of the positive assessment results. Garfield Barwick School was also recognised by the Association of Independent Schools as an exemplary school for their work in implementing a Literacy and Numeracy Action Plan in 2014. Through intentionally incorporating more literacy and numeracy goals across the curriculum, GBS has seen significant educational gains from their students.

Educational Services

Children with vision or hearing loss get the best possible start to life when they, and their families, receive immediate support and assistance through quality early intervention



TELESCHOOLRIDBC Teleschool provided services to 113 school aged children living in regional and remote areas across Australia in 2014. In addition, a number of Teleschool residential weeks were held in school holiday periods for children with vision or hearing loss, including an intensive learning program attended by eight families of children who are blind or have vision loss, which was held in November 2014, centred around a theme of ‘inclusion’. During the week, our team worked with families to show them how technology and sensory play can support their child to access communication, learning and social opportunities, and explored how children can achieve educational and social inclusion despite their complex needs.

SCHOOLS REVIEWIn 2014, we conducted a comprehensive review of RIDBC’s school programs which delivered a series of recommendations including the establishment of two Centres of Excellence focused specifically on vision and hearing impairment, the implementation of a new management structure to reflect the new Centres of Excellence structure, and the design and build of purpose-built facilities to accommodate contemporary services and service delivery.

The assessment of these recommendations is now underway and we are excited about the possibilities this presents for RIDBC to have an even greater impact on the provision of world-class education programs and facilities for children with vision or hearing loss in the future.

AUSLAN FOR PARENTSIn 2014, a cross-functional team from RIDBC Thomas Pattison School, Teleschool and Early Learning Program (Hearing Impairment) piloted a parent Auslan course. Twelve families, including parents and extended family members, accessed the course in-person at North Rocks, while others accessed via telepractice, using technology in their home.

Sessions were focused on topics such as emotions or mealtimes, teaching families functional sign language that could be used in the home. The pilot program was a success, demonstrating benefits of sharing resources and working collaboratively with children and parents. Families also benefited from networking with each other and learning to better communicate with their children. RIDBC has received funding from the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) to expand the program in 2015.

199CHILDREN

supported through RIDBC Teleschool and telepractice

70k+DOWNLOADS

of RIDBC’s educational apps

www.ridbc.org.au 27


In 2014, Aydan was awarded a medal of excellence by RIDBC for his academic achievement in the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Aydan has low vision and attended The Hills Grammar School, receiving in-school support from RIDBC School Support Service.

Now in his first year of a Bachelor of Business and Commerce / Bachelor of Laws at University of Western Sydney, Aydan is planning to pursue law after his graduation.

“My RIDBC support teacher, Brian, was fantastic. He would come in each week and that made it really comfortable. He would always check in to make sure that I had everything that I needed, and would always follow up quickly with teachers if there was an issue,” said Aydan. “Knowing that the support was there when I needed it was definitely the best thing.

Aydan’s StoryRIDBC EDUCATIONAL APPLICATIONS (APPS) FOR MOBILES AND TABLETSIn 2014, RIDBC’s multimedia team were jointly awarded first prize in the ‘Most Accessible Children’s App’ category of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) inaugural ‘Apps for All’ Challenge.

RIDBC’s app, Row Row Row Your Boat, one of three finalists in the awards, was developed by a team of auditory verbal specialists at RIDBC, and is aimed at helping children, including those who have hearing loss, to develop their listening and language skills.

To view and download our apps, visit www.ridbc.org.au/apps

Kirsten, who has vision loss, graduated from RIDBC Alice Betteridge School 2014.

“Kirsten began her education with RIDBC when she was just three years old, receiving support from RIDBC VisionEd, which provides specialised programs for children with vision loss,” said Kirsten’s grandmother and carer, Yvonne.

“Kirsten then went on to RIDBC Alice Betteridge School to complete her life skills and education, which she loved. There the team of teachers, therapists, volunteers and students were like an extended family. I really cannot thank RIDBC enough – I know she has been given the skills to move onto the next stage in her life.”

Kirsten’s Story

Kirsten graduated from RIDBC Alice Betteridge School in 2014

RIDBC recognised Aydan for academic achievement in the 2014 HSC

Mei and Hoshi, pictured with their mother, Kim, are using one of RIDBC’s educational iPad apps


OUR SERVICES - CLINICAL SERVICES

Minister announces SCIC MergerThe Hon. Jillian Skinner, MP, Minister for Health, and Minister for Medical Research, officially launched a merger between RIDBC and the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC) on 25 August 2014, as part of Hearing Awareness Week.

Mrs Skinner used the event to announce that publicly-funded cochlear implants for adults will be offered at Westmead Hospital for the first time. She announced 12 of the implants would be undertaken at Westmead Hospital, with the other 10 performed through the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network.

“As Health Minister, I have been blessed to see a cochlear implant switched on and to witness the joy felt by a mother when a child hears her voice for the first time,” Mrs Skinner said.

The merger between RIDBC and SCIC created Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cochlear implant program for people of all ages – the SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service. This service supports children and adults every day to ensure they achieve the very best outcomes.

“In bringing together two great Australian charities we deliver life changing cochlear implant technology to children and adults with hearing loss across the country”, said RIDBC Chief Executive, Chris Rehn.

“The merger ensures more services are delivered to more Australians than ever before, giving us a greater ability to provide the highest level of support at every stage of the cochlear implant journey.”

Adults and children with hearing loss get the best results when cochlear implant services are combined with early intervention, therapy and specialist education programs. This merger ensures children and adults around Australia benefit from RIDBC’s integrated suite of services.

“Children and their families are greatly supported by RIDBC’s broad range of integrated education and therapy services, with adult recipients benefitting from an expanded suite of rehabilitation services.

Clinical Services

www.ridbc.org.au 29


With more centres in more locations, we are ensuring that an increasing number of clients are able to access this enhanced level of service,” said Chris.

Five year old Elijah, diagnosed as profoundly deaf at birth, was fitted with cochlear implants in both ears at five months of age. Elijah received cochlear implants through SCIC Cochlear Implant Program whilst also accessing RIDBC.

“Elijah’s cochlear implant switch on was an amazing experience. When the processors turned on he suddenly turned towards me with a look on his face that said “What was that!?” said Elijah’s mother, Ali. “He had the technology that would enable him to hear but it’s not just a

simple switch on, and off you go... he had to learn to listen and learn to speak and RIDBC enabled us to do this.”

With the right technology and specialist support from a range of RIDBC services from an early age, Elijah’s speech and language is now above average for his age.

“Being deaf, Elijah was expected to struggle with language development. Instead, his language is ahead of other kids his age. Thanks to the support from RIDBC and SCIC, he lives a life barely distinguishable from his hearing friends.”

Clinical Services

The Hon Jillian Skinner, MP (centre), officially launched the merger between RIDBC and SCIC, creating SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service

Five year old Elijah pictured with his mother Ali

Following our merger with SCIC, we now have more centres in more locations than ever before

30


Leah, one of the thousands of adults supported by the SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service

In 2014, we provided more assessment services and individual therapy sessions for people with vision or hearing loss than in any other year

Clinical Services

www.ridbc.org.au 31


SCIC COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM, AN RIDBC SERVICEA major focus for the RIDBC Board, leadership team and staff across the organisation in 2014 was the merger between RIDBC and SCIC, which was officially enacted on 1 July 2014. The new SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service, provides an expanded suite of cochlear implantation services and a more comprehensive program tailored to meet an individual’s specific needs and stage of life.

Crucially, the new program also marks a major milestone in RIDBC’s 154 year history, broadening our core client mix to include services for adults with hearing loss. This means that children who have grown up accessing RIDBC services, can continue their journey into adulthood, with the RIDBC and SCIC team by their side. It also opens up cochlear implant services to many children and adults across Australia who would benefit from a cochlear implant. With more locations across Australia, and the ability to deliver ongoing cochlear implantation support services remotely, we are now able to give even more Australians access to this life changing technology.

Throughout the second half of 2014, we continued to integrate RIDBC’s programs and services with the SCIC Cochlear Implant Program (CIP). For example, a group of young babies at RIDBC Nepean was supported by the combined efforts of the Early Learning Program staff and SCIC CIP audiologists and family councillors as they underwent the candidacy process. Close collaboration also saw the continued expansion of access to remote mapping and habilitation for families in rural and regional areas, including Darwin. Regular meetings between our teams have led to the development of a shared referral process, a mechanism for managing the transfer of students between service locations and the creation of a working group of staff across both organisations to focus on assessing outcomes for children and adults with hearing loss. The development of shared processes will continue in 2015 as we strive to streamline the cochlear implant journey for children, adults and families.

RIDBC ALLIED HEALTH SERVICESIn 2014, RIDBC provided more assessment services and individual therapy sessions for people with vision or hearing loss than in any other year.

A total of 251 assessments were conducted across 165 clients, assessing an individual’s requirements for speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, orthoptics, or access technology services. 67% of these assessments were conducted for clients with vision impairment, 28% for clients with hearing impairment, and 5% were for clients with dual sensory impairment.

The RIDBC Allied Health Services team delivered more than 1,100 therapy sessions in 2014, 71% of which were sessions for clients with hearing impairment, 24% for clients with vision impairment and 5% for clients with dual sensory impairment and/or other disabilities.

JIM PATRICK AUDIOLOGY CENTRERIDBC Jim Patrick Audiology Centre is a dedicated diagnostic paediatric audiology centre assessing children with hearing loss, from birth onwards. In 2014, the team conducted more than 2,900 audiology assessments, including a number of specialty screenings as part of the NSW Health, Statewide Infant Screening - Hearing (SWISH) Program. Staff also continued to lead the RIDBC Indigenous Outreach program and supported children across all RIDBC programs with audiological assessments.

Clinical Services


OUR SERVICES – RIDBC RENWICK CENTRE

In 2014 RIDBC launched the world’s first eLearning braille course, UEB Online. UEB Online is designed to help people who can see, support the people in their life who are using braille as a vital part of their communication.

UEB Online is leading the way in using technology to promote braille literacy both in Australia, and internationally.


Technological Innovation — Unified English Braille (UEB) OnlineWorld first online braille course!

Julian and Michelle, pictured with RIDBC’s Dr Frances Gentle, are using UEB Online to support their son, Charlie, who has significant vision loss

www.ridbc.org.au 33


Learning Unified English Braille (UEB) code has never been easier with this accessible online platform – all you need is your computer and an internet connection.

“Braille is fundamental to the development of language and literacy in people who are blind,” said UEB Online project leader and RIDBC Lecturer (Vision Impairment), Dr Frances Gentle. “Since our soft launch to industry in 2014, UEB Online has seen over 3,000 users access the program over 38,500 times.

“Designed for people who can see, UEB Online creates opportunities for families and mainstream educators to access a simple system that will allow them to support children and adults with vision loss who are using braille – no matter where they live.

“This is critical to the development of literacy, with research showing that children who are blind and learning braille have better employment outcomes as adults. Withholding braille from a child with significant vision loss would be like saying to another child that they don’t need to read anything anymore, that they should only learn by listening.”

Learning braille encourages social inclusion and may be used to reach out in the simplest of ways – leaving a note or writing a birthday card in braille can make a world of difference to a person with vision loss.

For Julian and Michelle, UEB Online has been an essential tool for learning the braille they need to best support their son, Charlie, who has significant vision loss.

“RIDBC has been using technology to support our family since 2007 when Charlie was the first child to access RIDBC Teleschool, a program that supports families in regional or remote areas using high quality video conferencing technology,” said Charlie’s father, Julian.

“For families living in regional areas like ours, specialist disability services are scarce on the ground. UEB Online is providing an accessible, affordable solution for us to learn braille. It’s just another way RIDBC is making sure we get the expert assistance we need to give Charlie the best possible start in life.

“Now I can help Charlie with his homework, something that every parent wants to be able to do for their child.

It sounds so simple, but things like that are essential to Charlie’s language and literacy development. With this support, Charlie’s confidence has really increased and he’s less frustrated. It’s pretty incredible.”

UEB Online has also been adopted by many nations in the developing world.

“Unified English Braille code has been officially adopted by six countries – Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, South Africa and the UK,” said Dr Gentle. “However 5% of UEB Online’s participants come from 83 other countries, many of them in the developing world. Many developing nations lack the public resource for braille education – only five out of 16 Pacific Island nations have resources for children to learn braille. UEB Online offers teachers in countries like Vanuatu, the opportunity to learn braille so that children with vision loss can go to school for the first time!”

Users wanting to access UEB Online should visit www.uebonline.org, registration is free.




RIDBC RENWICK CENTRE RIDBC Renwick Centre is Australia’s leading provider of professional development and research in a range of fields related to the education of children with vision or hearing loss. In affiliation with the University of Newcastle, the centre offers postgraduate programs (at masters and doctoral degree levels) and an extensive program of continuing professional education for teachers, therapists and a range of other associated professionals.

Through other collaborations, the Centre is involved in a wide range of additional research and professional education endeavours. Most notably, members of the Centre’s staff are engaged with colleagues at the Australian Hearing Hub at Macquarie University through projects associated with the Hearing CRC, the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), and directly with the University.

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMSIn 2014, there were 222 students undertaking postgraduate studies through RIDBC Renwick Centre through a mixture of full-time, part-time, on-campus, and remote-access modes of delivery. This represented a record enrolment with the centre’s full-time equivalent enrolment reaching 73.5. At ceremonies during the year, postgraduate qualifications of the University of Newcastle were conferred upon a total 62 graduates who completed their studies through RIDBC Renwick Centre.

Consistent with the requirements of the Australian Government’s Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency, all university award programs offered through the RIDBC Renwick Centre were rigorously reviewed and amended to become compliant with the new Australian Qualifications Framework.

This has resulted in new and extended programs of study for both the Master of Special Education and Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies awards that are offered by the university through RIDBC Renwick Centre. The new versions of the programs are being offered for the first time in 2015.

One of over 110 Continuing Profession Education Events run by RIDBC Reniwick Centre in 2014

29%INCREASE

in Postgraduate student enrolments

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CPE)Over 110 CPE events were run by RIDBC Renwick Centre in 2014, with over 3,250 participants in attendance across the year. 30 online seminars featuring world class educators and therapists were streamed across Europe, Asia Pacific, America and Australia/ New Zealand. Eight of these were run in partnership with Cochlear Limited as part of the HOPE series. Attendees at CPE events came from Australia, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, NZ, Philippines, Taiwan, USA, Thailand, Sweden, Malaysia, Cyprus and England.

Fifteen workshops and conferences hosted in Sydney were streamed live to participants across Australia and New Zealand including the 4th Australasian Deaf Studies and Research Symposium which featured live streamed, real-time captions and interpreters using four different sign languages.

LIBRARY SERVICESRIDBC Renwick Centre houses the Rydge Family Library which is Australia’s most comprehensive collection of resources in the field of education and early intervention for children and others with sensory disability.

RESEARCHRIDBC Renwick Centre maintains an active and varied program of research. 2014 was another year of significant achievement in the creation of new knowledge and the sharing of that information through presentations to leading national and international conferences as well as publications in the scientific literature (see pages 36 and 37).

A highlight in 2014 was the culmination of the project titled Unified English Braille: Developing an online training program for sighted learners. This project was supported by the James N. Kirby Foundation, the Hargrove Foundation, and the Baxter Family Foundation. UEB Online has been created to provide the world’s first online training program for people who can see, to learn braille (see story on page 32).

www.ridbc.org.au 35


3,250IN PERSON DAYS

of Continuing Professional Education delivered

30ONLINE SEMINARS

streamed around the world

Research, Publications & Presentations


RESEARCHThe early communicative environment prior to and following cochlear implants: impact on children’s early communicative and cognitive development (Prof. Edith Bavin, Dr Julia Sarant, Prof. Candy Petersen, Dr Peter Busby, & Prof. Greg Leigh). Research supported by ARC Linkage Grant.

Cochlear implantation outcomes in children. (A/Prof. Catherine Birman, Dr Kirsty Gardner-Berry).

Outcomes of cochlear implantation in adults with long-term asymmetric hearing (Dr Isabelle Boisvert, A/Prof Catherine McMahon, Prof Richard Dowell, & Prof Bjorn Lyxell).

Speech recognition outcomes following bilateral cochlear implantation in adults aged over 50. (Dr Isabelle Boisvert, A/Prof Catherine McMahon, & Colleen Psarros).

Auditory-oral progress of infants in a Deaf family environment: Five parallel case studies, (a) infant-CI, (b) infant-HA, (c) three infant-CODA (Dr Robyn Cantle Moore). Research supported by Deafness Foundation Victoria.

Development of the Infant Monitor-Production (IMP) as an evaluation protocol for infants with impaired hearing (Dr Robyn Cantle Moore).

Deaf people in colonial Australia: Access to justice, education and employment (Dr Breda Carty and Darlene Thornton).

Clinical decision-making in Audiology—MAud project (Jennifer Clemesha—Supervisor/s: Dr Isabelle Boisvert, & A/Prof Catherine McMahon).

Posit brain training study (Prof. Robert Cowan, Kerry Plant, Leanne Babic, & Dr Peter Busby). Research supported by the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

Pilot evaluation of combined investigational device: CI4CID with controlled dose of dexamethasone (Prof. Robert Cowan, A/Prof. Robert Briggs, Prof. Stephen O’Leary, Kerry Plant, Ruth English, A/Prof. Catherine Birman, & Leanne Babic). Research supported by the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

Prediction of outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients (Prof. Robert Cowan, Kerry Plant, Dr Pamela Dawson, Ruth English, Dr Komal Arora, Jason Garvilis, Michelle Moran, Alex Rousset, Leanne Babic, Karen Pedley, & Dr Jacqueline Anderson). Research supported by the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

Rates of cochlear implant revision surgery and outcomes (A/Prof. Melville daCruz, Alan Wang, Jeff Wang, Dr Isabelle Boisvert, & Dr Valerie Looi).

Factors influencing the nature of intervention by itinerant support teachers of deaf and hard of hearing students—PhD project (John Davison-Mowle—Supervisor/s: Prof. Greg Leigh, Dr Jill Duncan, & A/Prof Michael Arthur-Kelly). Research supported by the Carrie Smith Memorial Fund.

Social capital, language, literacy, and quality of life of adolescents who are deaf/hard of hearing and their chronologically-age matched hearing peers: A pilot study (Dr Jill Duncan). Research supported by the WA Foundation for Deaf Children and Deafness Foundation.

Cochlear implantation in a teenager with near normal pure-tone thresholds and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. (Dr Kirsty Gardner-Berry, Dr Isabelle Boisvert, & Anne-Marie Crowe).

Unified English Braille: Developing an on-line training program for sighted learners (families of children with vision impairments and professionals) (Dr Frances Gentle).Research and development supported by the James N. Kirby Foundation, the Hargrove Foundation, and the Baxter Family Foundation.

Introducing the next generation of Perkins brailler to the next generation of Australian braille consumers. (Dr Frances Gentle, Harzita Hashim, & Josie Howse). Research supported by Perkins Products, Boston, USA.

Paediatric hearing assessment with tele-audiology: An investigation in rural and remote populations (Prof. Greg Leigh, Kim Ter-Horst, Genelle Cook). Research supported by the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre—Project R4.5.2.

Melodic contour training and its effect on speech perception for cochlear implant recipients and normal hearing adults—MRes project (Chi Yhun Lo - Supervisor/s: A/Prof. Catherine McMahon, Dr Valerie Looi, & Prof. Bill Thompson).

Music appreciation of HA vs CI (pre-to-post comparison). (Dr Valerie Looi).

The effectiveness of telepractice in delivering specialist early intervention services to deaf and hard of hearing children and their families—PhD project (Melissa McCarthy—Supervisor/s: Prof. Greg Leigh & A/Prof. Michael Arthur-Kelly).

Objective correlates of listening effort during speech recognition testing. (A/Prof Catherine McMahon, Dr Isabelle Boisvert, Kelly Miles, Dr Ronny Ibrahim, Dr Peter de Lissa).

Assessment of patterns of teacher-student interactions in sign language-inclusive classrooms (Prof. Jemina Napier, Prof. Greg Leigh, Della Goswell, Dr Beda Carty). Research supported by Macquarie University/RIDBC Enterprise Partnership Grant and Deafness Foundation Victoria.

The evaluation of intra-operative electrophysiological measurements in adult cochlear implant users—PhD project (Fadwa Al-Nafjan —Supervisor/s: A/Prof Catherine McMahon & A/Prof Melville Da Cruz, Dr Isabelle Boisvert, Dr Halit Sanli, & Dr Kirsty Gardner-Berry).

A review of oral support services for people of working age with a hearing loss—MPhil project (Michele Nealon—Supervisor/s: Prof. Philip Newall, & Prof. Greg Leigh).

The development of speech testing materials to assess tonal language perception in Mandarin (Prof. Philip Newall).

The delivery of cochlear implantation related services in a remote access environment—PhD project (Colleen Psarros—Supervisor/s: A/Prof. Catherine McMahon, Prof. Greg Leigh, & Prof. Robert Cowan).

Profiling children with vision impairment in Australia (Oz Vizkids): A national register of children with vision impairment (Sue Silveira).

Factors influencing unsuccessful outcomes for cochlear implant adult recipients - M. Aud. project (Laura Vaccari - Supervisor/s: A/Prof. Catherine McMahon & Valerie Looi)

Music appreciation of cochlear implant and hearing aid users (cross-sectional, retrospective - M. Aud project (Wei Wei Wang - Supervisor/s: A/Prof. Catherine McMahon & Dr Valerie Looi). PUBLICATIONSBeltrame, M.A, Birman, C.S., Cervera Escario, J., Kassouma, J., Manolidis, S., et al. (2014). Common cavity and custom-made electrodes: Speech perception and audiological performance of children with common cavity implanted with a custom-made MED-EL electrode. International Journal of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 77(8), 1237-1243.

Birman, C. S., Sanli, H., Gibson, W. P. R., & Elliott E. J. (2014) Impedance, neural response telemetry, and speech perception outcomes after reimplantation of cochlear implants in children. Otology and Neurotology.

Cantle Moore, R. (2014). The Infant Monitor of vocal Production (IMP): Simple beginnings. Deafness and Education International.

Duncan, J., Rhoades, E. A., & Fitzpatrick, E. M. (2014). Auditory (Re)habilitation for adolescents with hearing loss. New York: Oxford University Press.

Gentle, F. (2014). Editorial. Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment, 7(1), 8.

Gentle, F. (2014). Report: International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI). Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment, 7(1), 65-73.

Gentle, F. & Smith, T. (2014). Report: UEB Online for sighted learners. Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment, 7(1), 64.

Leigh, G., & Crowe, K. (2014). Responding to cultural and linguistic diversity among deaf and hard of hearing learners (pp. 69-92). In M. Marschark, & H. Knoors (Eds.) Educating Deaf Learners. New York: Oxford University Press.

Looi, V. (2014). Comparisons of the pitch perception abilities of adults and children using cochlear implants or hearing aids. Cochlear Implants International, 15(S1), S14–S16.

Looi, V. (2014). Comparisons of the pitch perception abilities of adults and children using cochlear implants or hearing aids. Cochlear Implants International, 15(S1), S14–S16.

Mohammadi, A., Walker P., & Gardner-Berry, K. (2014). Unilateral auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder: Retrocochlear lesion in disguise? Journal of Laryngology and Otology. 18, 1-7.

Newall, P. (2014) Viewpoint: Possible sale means uncertain future for Australian Hearing. Hearing Journal, 67(10), 42-43.

Quar, T. K., Ching, T.Y.C.; Newall, P., & Sharma, M. (2014). Fit to targets achieved by commercial hearing aid fitted according to the NAL-NL1 and DSL v5 procedures. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

Sanderson, G., Ariyaratne, T., Wyss, J., & Looi, V. (2014) A global patient outcomes registry: Cochlear Paediatric Implant Recipient Observational Study (P-IROS). BMC ENT Disorders, 14(10).

Von Muenster, K. & Baker, E. (2014). Oral communicating children using a cochlear implant: good reading outcomes are linked to better language and phonological processing abilities. International Journal of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 78, 433-444.

Wang, J.T., Wang, A.Y., Psarros, C., & Da Cruz, M. J. (2014). Rates of revision and device failure in cochlear implant surgery. Laryngoscope. 124(10), 2393-9. PRESENTATIONS d’Apice, T., (April). Braille and print: Innovative program to teach dual media. 11th International Conference on Low Vision, Melbourne.

de Beuzeville, L. & Leigh, G. (Oct.). From assessment to practice: Observing and targeting specific language features. 4th Bilingual Education Symposium, Sydney.

Boisvert, I. (March). Cochlear implantation and asymmetric hearing: An insight into brain plasticity. 2nd International Workshop on Hearing Impairment and Language Function, Beijing, China

Boisvert, I., McMahon, C., De Lissa, P., Miles, K., & Ibrahim, R. (Oct.). Changes in alpha oscillations compared to pupil dilation to capture listening effort in cochlear implant users. 8th International Symposium on Objective Measures in Auditory Implants, Toronto, Canada.

Boisvert, I., McMahon, C., Psarros, C., Thompson, A., & Kenyon, J. (May). Can the elderly population benefit from bilateral cochlear implants? 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Boisvert, I., McMahon, C., Dowell, R., Lyxell, B., & Tavora-Vieira, D. (May). Cochlear implantation in adults with long-term unilateral sound deprivation. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane. Boisvert, I., McMahon, C., & Lyxell, B. (May). Using cognition to understand speech in noise; testing the relationship between cognitive and speech recognition evaluations in adults with normal hearing and with cochlear implants. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.


Research, Publications & Presentations

37

Bull, R. (Sept.). Audiological speech perception testing in children: How does it relate to real-life? 2014 Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf Conference, Sydney.

Carty, B. (Oct.). Re-defining Deaf culture? 4th Australasian Deaf Studies and Research Symposium, Sydney.

Carty, B. (April). ‘A Grave and Gracious Woman’: Deaf people and signed language in colonial New England. Deaf Studies Today Conference, Orem, Utah USA.

Carty B., Goswell, D. Leigh, G., & Napier, J. (May). Deaf students’ access to interpreted communication in mainstream classrooms: Is ‘equality’ possible? Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association Conference, Adelaide.

Cantle Moore, R., Hodgson, F., Cook, G., & Ter-Horst, K. (May). Monitoring the progress toward speech of two infants identified with unilateral ANSD through universal newborn hearing screening. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Crowe, A.-M., Gardner-Berry, K., & Boisvert, I. (May). Cochlear implantation in a young adult with auditory neuropathy and essentially normal hearing thresholds. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Elliott, R. (Nov.) Loss of vision without pathologic cause. 71st Orthoptics Australia Annual Scientific Conference, Brisbane.

Garielides, A., McCarthy, M. & Psarros, C. (June). The role of telepractice in cochlear implantation candidacy and habilitation. Hearing Across the Lifespan (HEAL) 2014, Cernobbio, Italy.

Gentle, F. (Jan.). Education for All: Children with vision impairment in the Pacific Region. 11th International Conference on Low Vision, Melbourne.

Gilliver, M., Cupples, L., Ching, T., Leigh, G., & Day, J. (July). A tablet for play can improve PA: Training pre-literacy skills in pre-school children with hearing impairment. Society for the Scientific Study of Reading Annual Conference, 2014, Santa Fe, USA

Gouliotis, K. (April). RIDBC Teleschool: Building connections through telepractice. 11th International Conference on Low Vision, Melbourne.

Gouliotis, K. (Nov.). The developmental implications of optic nerve hypoplasia. 71st Orthoptics Australia Annual Scientific Conference, Brisbane.

Gouliotis, K. (Nov.). The effects of temporal-occipital resection on functional vision in a child with cortical vision impairment. 71st Orthoptics Australia Annual Scientific Conference, Brisbane.

Hodgson, F., Britton, L., Cook, G., & McCarthy, M. (June). Supporting the needs of families of children with unaided mild hearing loss. Hearing Across the Lifespan (HEAL) 2014, Cernobbio, Italy.

Hunt, P., Hollow, R., Babic, L., Boisvert, I., Moran, M., Plant, K. (May). Recent Advances in Cochlear Implant Candidacy Criteria. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Ismail, N., Newall, P., Williams, W., & Sharma, M. (May). The effectiveness of occupational noise management in Malaysia. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Isaacson, T. (Dec.). I am a “fife” musician: One boy’s journey into music. 14th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children. Nashville, USA. .

Jayakody, D., Looi, V., Lin, E. & Robb, M. (May). Effects of pitch-perception training on pitch-related aspects of speech and music perception of cochlear implant and hearing aid users. 1st SCIC International Symposium on Music and Cochlear Implants, Sydney.

Jayakody, D., Looi, V., Lin, E., & O’Beirne, G. (June). Identifying prosody expressed in New Zealand English- A study on cochlear implant and hearing aid users. 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies,

Munich, Germany,

Jayakody, D., Looi, V., Lin, E., & O’Beirne, G. (June) A qualitative assessment of pitch-perception skills of cochlear implant and hearing aid users. 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies, Munich, Germany, June. 2014.

Kenyon, J. (June). One congenital recipient’s journey with cochlear implantation: A case study. 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies, Munich, Germany.

Knight, M. (May). Foundations of information access: A framework for early learners. Conference of the Round Table on Information Access for People with a Print Disability, Brisbane.

Leigh, G., & Crowe, K. (March). Responding to cultural and linguistic diversity among deaf and hard of hearing learners. Invited address at 1st International Conference on Teaching Deaf Learners, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Leigh, G. (Oct.). Newborn hearing screening in Australia. Keynote address at Healthy Hearing Symposium, Brisbane.

Leigh, G. (Oct.). Future of newborn hearing screening. Invited address at Healthy Hearing Symposium, Brisbane.

Looi, V. (June). A comparison of music style identification abilities between cochlear implant and hearing aid users: Setting realistic expectations for cochlear implant recipients. 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies. Munich, Germany

Looi, V. (Nov.). Music for Cochlear Implant Recipients: C I Can! Invited address at 11th British Academy of Audiology National Conference. Bournemouth, UK.

Looi, V., Lee, Z. Z., & Loo, J. (Dec.) quality of life outcomes for paediatric recipients in Singapore. 14th Symposium on Cochlear Implants in Children. Nashville, USA. .

Looi, V., King, J., & Kelly-Campbell, R. (June). A comparison of music style identification abilities between cochlear implant and hearing aid users: Setting realistic expectations for cochlear implant recipients. Presented at 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies. Munich, Germany. Looi, V. (May). Music Perception: Cochlear implants compared to hearing aids. Presented at 1st SCIC International Symposium on Music and Cochlear Implants. Sydney.

Looi, V., King, J., & Kelly-Campbell, R. (May). Music style identification of cochlear implant and hearing aid users. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Looi, V., King, J., & Kelly-Campbell, R. (June). Development of a music style identification test for cochlear implant and hearing aid users. 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies. Munich, Germany.

McCann, T., & McCarthy, M. (Oct.). Using telepractice to deliver a family-centred cochlear implant program. Healthy Hearing Symposium, Brisbane.

McCann, T., Psarros C., McCarthy, M., Gabrielides, A. (Oct.). Using tele-practice to deliver a family-centred cochlear implant program. Healthy Hearing Symposium, Brisbane.

McCarthy, M. (June). Telepractice: A model for enhancing access to family-centred early intervention. Keynote address at 2nd International Congress on Family-centred Early Intervention, Bad Ischl, Austria.

McCarthy, M. (Oct.) Training practitioners to maximise the use of telepractice. Rural and Remote Telehealth Conference, Toowoomba.

McCarthy, M., & Milnes, M. (Oct.). Focusing on families. Healthy Hearing Symposium, Brisbane.

McCarthy, M., & Milnes, M. (June). Telepractice training protocol: The RIDBC model (Workshop). 2014 AG Bell Convention, Florida, USA.

Moran, M., Looi, V., & Rousset, A. (May). Music perception of prelingually deafened adults. Presented at 1st SCIC International Symposium on Music and Cochlear Implants. Sydney.

Moran, M., Looi, V., Rousset, A. (June). An analysis of the music perception and appreciation of pre- and post-lingually deafened adult cochlear implant recipients. 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Technologies, Munich.

Moran, M., Looi, V., Rousset, A. (May). Music perception and appreciation in prelingual and postlingually deaf adult cochlear implant users. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Nealon, M., Newall, P. & Leigh, G. (May). Hearing impairment in the workplace: A user’s perspective of barriers and accommodations. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Newall, P. (Jan.). Noise management and hearing conservation. Invited address at the 6th Annual Newall Lecture Series on Audiology, University of the Philippines, Manila, The Philippines.

Newall, P., Burlutsky, G., Gopinath, B., Newall, C., & Mitchell, P. (May). Auditory processing disorder in an older population. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Psarros, C., & Cantle Moore, R. (May). Maximizing device fitting in infants:The role of Infant Monitor of vocal production (IMP). 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Psarros, C., & Cantle Moore, R. (June). Maximizing device fitting in infants: The role of the Infant Monitor of vocal production (IMP). Presented at 13th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and Other Implantable Auditory Technologies, Munich, Germany.

Psarros, C. & Cantle Moore, R. (June). CI delivery at RIDBC: Early intervention using IMP/LENA/N6 Dialog. Invited address at Nottingham Ear Sciences Meeting, Nottingham, UK.

Rushbrooke, R., Psarros, C., van Wanrooy, E., & Abrahams, Y. (May). Models of hearing implant service delivery: Taking audiology to the recipients, 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Sartika, D., Newall, P., Sharma, M., & Dillon, D. (May). Speech recognition threshold test for children in the Indonesian language, 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Sartika, D., Erber, N., Newall, P., & Mansell, R. (May). A Speech Perception Procedure for Severely to Profoundly Hearing-Impaired Children In the Indonesian Language (INDO-SPASP). 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Silveira, S. (Nov.). Do indicators grounded in clinical results fairly represent the severity of childhood vision impairment? Orthoptics Australia Annual Scientific Conference, Brisbane.

Smith, T. (June). Social capital. AG Bell 2014 Symposium. Orlando, Florida, USA.

Smith, T. (June). Making magic real: Ling’s legacy. AG Bell 2014 Symposium. Orlando, Florida, USA.

Van Dun, B., Chung, M., Lin, R., Bauer, L., van Wanrooy, E., et al. (May). Towards a clinically viable way to record cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) in cochlear implant (CI) clients. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Wang, A., Wang, J., Psarros, C., Da Cruz, M., & Looi, V. (May). Rates of revision and device failure in cochlear implant surgery. 32nd World Congress of Audiology, Brisbane.

Wright, R. (Nov.) Assessing a child with CVI in a clinical setting. 71st Orthoptics Australia Annual Scientific Conference, Brisbane.

Please visit www.ridbc.org.au/annual-report for an accessible version of the full annual report, or contact us on (02) 9871 1233 (TTY/V) for a large print version of this page.


Lantern Clubs celebrate 50 years of fundraising!

www.ridbc.org.auRoyal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Annual Report 201438

OUR SERVICES – COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND FUNDRAISING

In 2014, Lantern Clubs celebrated their 50th year of raising funds for RIDBC. The first five Clubs, Ashfield, Grafton, Mosman, Parramatta and Randwick, were established in 1964 with the motto: ‘Affording Light to the Blind and Guidance to the Deaf’. To date, collectively, Lantern Clubs have raised over $14 million.

Currently there are 21 Lantern Clubs across NSW with a membership base of 845. The Clubs operate as far north as Camden Haven (near Port Macquarie), as far south as Batemans Bay and as far west as Dubbo.

The members are enthusiastic and committed volunteers who are great ambassadors for RIDBC and fundraise in

a variety of ways such as luncheons/morning teas with guest speakers, wine tastings, film premières, coach trips, fashion parades, concerts, cake stalls, games days, sausage sizzles and raffles. The activities offer members a fun, social setting with an opportunity to support the important work of RIDBC.

To acknowledge the 50 year legacy and long rich history of generous Lantern Club fundraising, RIDBC hosted a special morning tea on 18 July 2014 which was attended by current and past Lantern Club members. A Combined Lantern Clubs’ Luncheon was held at City Tattersalls Club, Sydney, on 5 September 2014 to celebrate this significant Golden Anniversary.

IN 2014, RIDBC LANTERN CLUBS CELEBRATED THEIR 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY. ESTABLISHED IN 1964, THE CLUBS HAVE TOGETHER RAISED OVER $14 MILLION FOR RIDBC THROUGH THEIR COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES.

Community Relations and Fundraising

www.ridbc.org.au 39


Lantern Club Presidents

Community Relations and Fundraising

CENTRAL COUNCIL President Jan BellAVOCA BEACH President Marie FullerBELMONT President Cathryn JamesBLACKTOWN CITY President Maureen FryBLUE MOUNTAINS President Dorothy BrandleyCAMDEN HAVEN President Richard BattsCRONULLA President Trish WoodfordFAR SOUTH COAST President Mary BackhouseFORSTER-TUNCURRY President Margaret StephensGOULBURN President Joan ThomasHILLS DISTRICT President Robyn ShawHORNSBY & DISTRICT President Joanne GracieKU-RING-GAI President Margaret KentMAITLAND President Pauline HoggMOSMAN President Elaine CoxORANA President Judith ButcherPARRAMATTA President Elaine BrockPORT STEPHENS President Helen YoungRYDE President Rosemary CostarSOUTHERN HIGHLANDS President Jennifer GreyST GEORGE President Barbara YatesWARRINGAH President Robyn Stone

(L) RIDBC Chief Executive, Chris Rehn pictured with RIDBC Lantern Club President, Mrs Jan Bell celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Lantern Clubs; (Above) Lantern Club Members celebrate their Golden Anniversary



COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND PHILANTHROPY REMAIN THE KEY SOURCES OF RIDBC FUNDING AND ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURING THE CONTINUATION OF VITAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES ACROSS AUSTRALIA WHO ARE IMPACTED BY VISION OR HEARING LOSS.

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

Due to the generous support of the corporate community in 2014, over $250,000 was raised for RIDBC. Companies supported RIDBC in many ways, including payroll giving, volunteering, staff fundraising, event sponsorships and corporate partnerships.

Our long-standing partnership with Westfield North Rocks went from strength to strength in 2014, with RIDBC again named as Westfield North Rocks Local Charity Partner. Westfield North Rocks staff committed to encouraging the local community to raise funds for RIDBC throughout the year, with the final fundraising tally of $61,913

showing the hard work and dedication of this fantastic team of supporters.

This incredible fundraising result saw Westfield North Rocks named as Westfield’s top national fundraiser. In recognition of this achievement, Scentre Group (the owner and operator of Westfield in Australia and New Zealand) donated an additional $74,976 to RIDBC, including a $40,000 grant for their first place finish.

We thank all of our corporate supporters who donated funds, time, skills and gifts-in-kind to support RIDBC in 2014.

Scentre Group Finance Division working hard volunteering at the 2014 RIDBC Community Fair

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Adams Consulting & Training Pty LtdChats Accountants & AdvisersCTAL Rolling FundDe Lorenzo Hair and Cosmetic Research Pty LtdEndes Pty LtdFerny Dental CareGlencore International AGHarvey Norman Holdings LtdHyundai Help for Kids Hyundai Motor Company Australia Pty Ltd J J Richards & Sons Pty LtdLandson Alliance Australia Pty LtdLee & Sons (Aust) Pty LtdRolex Management Services LtdScentre Group Ltd ATF Westfield Charities FundSmartline Pty LtdStrategy&Tradelink Plumbing CentresTree Transplanters Australia Pty LtdTrenton InternationalTreviris Holdings No 2 Pty LtdUBSWestfield North Rocks PAYROLL GIVINGBartier PerryBHPHudson Building SuppliesNational Australia BankQantas AirwaysRailcorpStocklick TradingThiessUBSUnited WayVodafone Hutchison AustraliaWestfield

CORPORATE VOLUNTEER GROUPS

Coca ColaColonial First State Global Asset ManagementJANA Investment Advisors Johnson & Johnson MedicalLend LeaseMomentum EnergyNational Australia BankNewcastle Permanent Building SocietyParmalatScentre Group Finance DivisionSmartlineStandard Chartered BankWestfield North RocksWestpac

Hyundai Help for Kids In 2014, RIDBC partnered with Hyundai Help for Kids – a collaborative partnership between the 161-strong Hyundai National Dealer Network and Hyundai Motor Company Australia. This partnership provided RIDBC with $50,000 in financial support for RIDBC Indigenous Outreach Program – a program that provides hearing screening services to Indigenous children living in regional and remote areas of NSW.

With the generous support of Hyundai Help for Kids, RIDBC Indigenous Outreach Program conducted 9 visits over 33 days to regional Indigenous communities. During these visits we tested the hearing of 623 children, of whom 26% were referred for further tests.

As part of this partnership, Hyundai have included a brand new Santa Fe for exclusive use by RIDBC for a period of 12 months, helping RIDBC to deliver services in the community.

CORPORATE SUPPORTERS

Hyundai Help for Kids sponsored forty RIDBC students to go on the 2014 Rotary Qantas Pathfinders Jumbo Joy Flight in November


RIDBC GREAT WALL CHALLENGEWe are always seeking out new and exciting ways for donors to help raise funds to support children and adults with vision or hearing loss and in 2015, RIDBC will be hosting an awe-inspiring trek along the Great Wall of China.

For more information about this event or other ways to get involved visit www.ridbc.org.au/howtohelp

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING In 2014, community fundraising contributed more than $100,000 to RIDBC thanks to the efforts of our amazing supporters. Community fundraisers like Baker Tamory, who participated in the Spring Cycle and raised over $6,000 through friends and family; Gareth Jones who participated in the City2Surf for his third year in a row, running as the RIDBC ‘Smiley’ mascot and raising over $1,000; and Daniel Garcia who raised over $3,000 through his ‘Run for Eva’ campaign in the Brisbane Half Marathon.

We would like to thank all those who supported us throughout 2014 for your passion and energy to help raise much needed funds.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERSArc Army Volunteer Platoons UNSW

Baker Tamory – Spring Cycle 2014

Daniel Garcia – Run for Eva

Gareth Jones – City2Surf 2014

Hoang Xuan & the Vietnamese Community

Lions Club of Sydney Pacific

Organised Crime Squad NSW Police – Christmas Raffle

Sydney Girls High School

Gareth Jones, pictured as the RIDBC Smiley mascot in The Sun-Herald City2Surf

Raiyaan helps his dad, Baker, prepare for Bicycle NSW’s Spring Cycle

Imagine exploring the Great Wall of China while raising funds to support RIDBC



COMMITTEES AND EVENTS

The annual Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight was held in September, raising over $125,000 for RIDBC – a record amount for this long-running Qantas Pathfinders event. This unique fundraiser was once again sponsored by Qantas Airways Limited who donated a 737-800 aircraft to fly excited guests to this year’s location – Norfolk Island. The event was an outstanding success with over 140 participants enjoying all that stunning Norfolk Island has to offer. Since first taking to the skies in 2002, the charity flight has raised more than $1 million in support of RIDBC.

The 2014 Qantas Pathfinders Revue, ‘Vergin on the Ridiculous’, was a sell out

with 2,200 guests enjoying an outstanding production of songs, skits and satire! This behind the scenes scoop on what goes on in the airline industry saw another record year, raising $108,000 for RIDBC over five performances.

Through the RIDBC Qantas Pathfinders Auxiliary, Qantas Airways Limited has been

associated with RIDBC since 1967 – making it RIDBC’s longest serving corporate partner. Qantas is an RIDBC Life Governor, a position granted to recognise its outstanding contribution to RIDBC, supporting the Qantas Pathfinders Auxiliary to raise more than $7 million for RIDBC over the past 47 years.

Performers at the Qantas Pathfinders Revue raised $108,000 for RIDBC in 2014

Guests enjoying a five star lunch on the stunning Norfolk Island as part of the 2014 Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight

www.ridbc.org.au 4343


QANTAS PATHFINDERS SUPPORTERS Founding Sponsor: Qantas Airways Limited Major Sponsors:

AirServices AustraliaBaunti Escapes Norfolk IslandBurnt Pine Travel Norfolk IslandNorthsQ CateringRobert Oatley VineyardsRotary Club of TurramurraShell AviationSydney Airport Corporation LimitedThe Government of Norfolk IslandVamps+ Bistro FrancaisWorld Fuel Services Pathfinders President Louise Flitcroft Paisley

RIDBC HORIZON COMMITTEEThe Horizon Committee began in 1984 when Mrs Colleen Keys and several other Motherhood Quest winners and finalists wished to see the valuable fundraising work for RIDBC continue. Over the past 29 years, friends and associates of these women also joined or supported the committee.

The Horizon Committee holds two major functions each year – the Horizon Committee’s Annual Authors’ Lunch which is held at Parliament House and features two Australian writers who entertain and delight with their ‘story behind the story’, and the Horizon Committee’s Oaks Day Luncheon and Fashion Parade, which provides guests with the perfect excuse for a new hat or outfit! Horizon President Colleen Keys, OAM

RIDBC ABSTRACT COMMITTEEThe Abstract Committee was formed on 22 March 1965 and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015. For the last 25 years the Abstract Committee has been instrumental in running the annual RIDBC Book, Toy & Music Fair – now known as the RIDBC Book & Community Fair. The 2014 fair raised a record $32,000 in support of RIDBC. Sponsor Raine & Horne Abstract President/Chair Christopher Arnott

Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight once again took to the skies for RIDBC in 2014



Community Supporters Lions Club of Valentine Inc Rotary Club of Warners Bay Local Business Program Bass Flooring Company Sight & Sound Committee members:Craig Barnes Alan Carter, President David Crook Garry Hardie Ross Melville Richard Owens Kirsty Porteous Meg Purser Tony Rhodes Anthony Saddington Gary Sheppard

Hunter Sight and Sound LunchThis year’s RIDBC Hunter Sight and Sound Lunch, held in July at the Merewether Surfhouse, was attended by over 150 guests from local businesses, clubs and the community – raising a record $29,380 for RIDBC. The lunch was an outstanding success and attendees were treated to a never-to-be-forgotten experience as they listened to guest speakers, Danny Buderus, Michael Bridges and Mark Richards, who shared some defining moments of their elite sporting careers with host, Craig Hamilton. RIDBC Teleschool student, Luke, who is blind, also joined the lunch,

sharing his passion to succeed in life and become a physicist. NAB supported the event as the major sponsor and Bass Flooring Company was the beverage sponsor.

RIDBC Hunter’s Parents and Friends Committee once again held several fundraising and social events throughout the year, from sausage sizzles and ‘parties in the park’, to raffles. Their main fundraising effort this year was in support of a new slide for the outdoor play area at RIDBC Hunter. Through a combined effort the committee raised a total of $14,000, with the slide to be built in 2015.

Luke, who was born with vision loss, alongside his mum and sporting heroes Craig Hamilton, Danny Buderus, Mark Richards and Michael Bridges at the 2014 RIDBC Hunter Sight & Sound luncheon

www.ridbc.org.au 45



RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENTMajor Donors

2014 was a steady year for major gifts with the introduction of our major donor tax pack and Christmas pack. This sent a clear message of how your generous contributions directly impact the children at RIDBC and what a difference you can make in their lives.

Our donors helped fund essential equipment for RIDBC VisionEd, allowing us to reach students all over Australia. Major gifts also helped fund support services to RIDBC Early Learning Program and RIDBC School Support Service. In 2014, we were also able to provide necessary educational and advanced technology such as the MotoMed and ActivTable, thanks to one very generous supporter, Janis Salisbury.

F AdamsonRobert Albert, AORoss AndersonR AndreGeorge Andrews

Valerie ApplerothDavid BedwellPauline BridgeElaine ButlerLaurence CableJohn CameronPeter CampbellMark ChongLynne ChurchNorma ClarkJess CohenHugh CondonMary CrockMarie DelaneyMargaret DobbinJanelle EllwoodPeter EvansJack and Gwen FreemanSidney FrenchColin GagelerDavid GoddardPaul GrantJoan GreenBrian Harrison

Betty HatchFelicity HoggHugh HoneJessica HoreBarbara HumphreyPieter HuveneersFrank IsaacsAthol JohnsonSteven KalminRobert KeldoulisVictoria KemsleySudha and Viojay KhandelwalIvy Kwan

Amen LeeSteam LeungQing LiAnnette LustyFiona MacGregorRocco ManganoThelma Martin-WeberNancy McFarlaneTerry McGeeAnita McKenzieColin MercerSue MetzmacherIan MillerM and M MonaghanPeggy MuntzPhilip NewallIsabel NorrisJean O’KaneNorm O’NeillC OppenMary O’SullevanGeoffrey PatonIan PaulAndrew PethebridgeBrian PinchTom and Robyn PinzoneVera RadoMax RaineRosemary RajolaAnn ReidJennifer ReidLesley RiachMichael and Karen RichDoris RichardsonPeter RichardsonAlan and Vonda RogersSandra RolloAlison RosenbergRichard RydgeNorman Rydge, AM OBELorita Rydge

June SaintyJanis SalisburyGrace SedgleyCharles Shuetrim, AM and Sandy ShuetrimJudy SmithJoyce SproatTimothy Sterling-LevisPeter StephensMargaret StevensWayne StoneBarbara Stone, AMAnthony Sweetman

Patricia TangWilbred TaylorKath ThompsonMario TorresanWilton TrembathMargaret TyrrellJ VanderfieldAnthony VastaAnthony and Gai WalesStewart and Gwenyth WallisSean WareingAnabel WestwoodRuth WoodBrian WinterWilliam Yee

Janis Salisbury, Kiara from RIDBC TPS, and RIDBC Chief Executive, Chris Rehn, pictured with ‘Luna’ the Rhinoceros

Individual Supporters

47

FUNDRAISING APPEALS, LOTTERIES & TELEMARKETING2014 was another strong year for RIDBC’s fundraising appeal activities. Donors were very supportive of RIDBC’s four direct mail appeals and overall we finished on par with the previous year’s income. In the appeal collateral and The RIDBC Quarterly newsletter, we highlighted some of the many great services RIDBC provides.

RIDBC trialled some innovative programs and introduced new methods of communication with our supporters, such as SMS and email marketing.

RIDBC Rainbow Lottery raised over $2.7 million in its 28th year, remaining a key part of our fundraising efforts despite the difficult market pressures on lotteries. We trialled a part

outsource of the lottery through a commercial organisation, however, this didn’t produce the results RIDBC was looking for and the lottery was brought back in house for 2015.

In 2014, RIDBC Donor Services processed an amazing 128,715 gift transactions from 63,125 supporters.

LEGACIESIn 2014, we received more than $7 million from our generous supporters who have left a legacy to RIDBC. After providing for their family and friends, many of our wonderful donors left a gift in their will for RIDBC. Through these long-lasting gifts we are able to provide the ongoing and necessary services to ensure a brighter future for children and adults with vision or hearing loss.

Our supporters who have informed us of their decision to leave a gift in their will receive membership to our Hunter Baillie Circle. They receive a beautiful certificate signed by RIDBC’s Chief Executive, Chris Rehn and are invited to an annual luncheon held at RIDBC with various guest speakers. This year, we had Chris Rehn, Alan Munro, Director Development & Fundraising and two of our specialised teachers from RIDBC Teleschool, Kathy MacDonald, Senior Education Consultant and Kylie Gouliotis, Special Ed Consultant VI Teleschool as our guest speakers.


Rosemary AllsopJohn BedwellRoger BenouMiroslav BlahaBruce BoardmanJames BowenElla BoydDavid BrandonHenry BrownBelle ButtGrace CannonWilliam CassidyRuby CornishDoris CoxStephanie CymbalistNorah DavidsonLionel DegeKonstantin DokuWilliam DowningJohn DugdaleKenneth FennBruce FergusonVera FosterAnne FursmanK & G Gluck TrustKathleen GoddardClarice HamiltonRonald Harris

John HeathNorman HeatonVeronica HerrodCornelis HessJudith HodgeAnne HoganEileen HookSylvia HoptonArthur HughesMarjorie JenkinsZona JessupLily JohnsonAntica JokicAnnabella JonesJohn JordanJ & C Kennedy TrustRichard KingMaria LeedhamEsther LehmannHans LewinGeorge LingardCharles MiddletonScott MitchellRosa MongelliAlice MoorcroftWilliam MoorePatrick MurphyConnie Niven

Walter PaineAlan RamsayJoan ReedEdmund ReschBernard RothburyHarry SeniorSusan SinclairEric StevensJohn StevensHelen StockmanJeannette StrangeBrian ThompsonHarold TodhunterArnoldus van HulstBasil VincentPaulina WalczakSir William Walkley Nellie WardrobeDoris WebsterLucie WellerSidney WilliamsAlan WilsonH B WoodAdele WynneGordon Young

RIDBC Bequestors

www.ridbc.org.au


Grants received in 2014 from private trusts, foundations and other funding bodies financed the development of a new site in Liverpool to provide support for families located in Sydney’s south-west; an upgrade of long outdated equipment for RIDBC VisionEd Alternative Format Publications, ensuring that children with vision loss attending mainstream schools have access to the same learning resources as their sighted classmates; and the purchase of RIDBC Teleschool in-home equipment for children in rural and remote areas of Australia enabling additional children to be enrolled in the program.

Grants in 2014 also funded the purchase of special therapy equipment to assist children with physical disabilities attending RIDBC Alice Betteridge School and underpinned the development of a number of apps, adding to RIDBC’s growing eLibrary. These apps use fun, interactive experiences to support a range of learning outcomes for children, including the development of speech and language. Using mainstream technologies such as iPhone, iPad or Android devices, these apps give children with vision or hearing loss the capacity to learn by accessing the same technology as their peers.

Most endeavours were funded from a single grant, but for some projects, trustees agreed to co-fund to allow an important project

to go ahead or to enable an innovative program to be trialled.

RIDBC is grateful to all the trustees for considering the funding proposals they received from RIDBC in 2014 and contributing to the quality of programs and services RIDBC provides for children with hearing and vision loss.


TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS

Skipper - Jacobs Charitable TrustSVN Engineering Pty LimitedTC Charity Trust Pty LtdThe Amelia Eliza Holland TrustThe Denton Family TrustThe Dick and Pip Smith FoundationThe Dorothea Collins Estate Trust FundThe Elliott Family TrustThe F M Bradford EndowmentThe Hargrove FoundationThe Hildanna FoundationThe J & G Bedwell EndowmentThe John Bedwell EndowmentThe MacDougall Family EndowmentThe Profield Foundation TrustThe R A Gale FoundationThe Rydge FoundationThe Shaw FoundationThomas Hare Investments Trust Pty Ltd

Westpac Foundation

Grants

Birchall Family Foundation TrustBrian M Davis Charitable FoundationBruce & Joy Reid Trust

Colonial First Foundation

Dalrymple Family Endowment

Dewhurst Sims Endowment

Duchen Family Foundation Pty LtdGladys Stone Foundation

JLDJS FoundationKathleen Breen Children's Charity TrustKool Nominees Pty Ltd

Liangrove Foundation Pty LtdMaple - Brown Family Charitable TrustMay and Stanley Smith Charitable TrustMutual Assistance Society, SydneyNell & Hermon Slade TrustOlsson Property Group Trust Pty LtdRegiti Pty Limited

Roberts Family Foundation

Rotary Club of Carlingford

Eli (pictured with his mum), having his cochlear implant mapped remotely, using high quality video conferencing technology

www.ridbc.org.au 49


PERMANENT FUNDS

We would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank those who have established permanent funds to support RIDBC’s work.

RIDBC Permanent Funds

18th Australian Infantry Brigade Association of NSW FundAnn Ratcliffe FundDora & George Garland Memorial FundElsie McLachlan Bursary FundFrederick Gregory-Roberts Prize FundIan Paul FundIvan Rado Memorial FundJack and Gwen Freeman FundJane Vickery Memorial FundJapan Australia Friendship FundJohn B Bedwell FundJoseph Tyrrell FundNeville McWilliam Prize FundRobert Simpson & Amy Caroline Brown & Family FundStan and Betty Graham Bursary Fund for GBSStan Graham Bursary Fund for TPSThe Estate of Joan Isabel Craven FundVera Rado FundWilliam & Gladys Judd Memorial FundWilliam H Boydell Fund

SCIC Cochlear Implant Program Permanent FundsLady Mary FairfaxRona Maud DavisDorothy MortonLola Rachel Maud Douglas

Donations to SCIC Cochlear Implant Program from July 2014

Commonwealth Bank Staff Community ClubDonald Boden Memorial TrustDr Renga & Mrs Vasantha RengaswamyM F Brown BequestParramore Family FoundationIvan Rado Memorial FundJack and Gwen Freeman FundJane Vickery Memorial FundJapan Australia Friendship FundJohn B Bedwell Fund

SCIC FUNDRAISINGSCIC Cochlear Implant Program Fundraising

SCIC Cochlear Implant Program fundraising became part of RIDBC Community Relations & Fundraising with the merger of RIDBC and SCIC on 1 July 2014, creating SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service. Since that time, over $360,000 has been raised from a variety of sources for RIDBC.

Foundations and trusts continue to provide most of SCIC Cochlear Implant Program’s income, raising over $250,000 throughout the second half of 2014. Annual appeals and general donations made up the bulk of the remainder.

We thank all of our donors, both individuals and the wider community, for supporting the program.

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OUR SERVICES – MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Marketing and Communications

51


Sir Michael Parkinson helped celebrate 25 years of RIDBC Rockie Woofit PreschoolIn March 2014, Sir Michael and Lady Mary Parkinson visited RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Originally opened in 1989 in North Parramatta, RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool was named in honour of the mascot that Sir Michael created specifically for RIDBC when he first became involved with the charity. The preschool was purpose-built to cater for the needs of children with hearing loss.

“The outcomes for children who are deaf or have hearing

loss, 25 years on from the opening of the preschool, are quite phenomenal,” said RIDBC Chief Executive, Chris Rehn. “The vast majority of children now go on to mainstream school and really achieve to their full potential.”

The preschool opened just four years after the first child received a cochlear implant in Australia at 10 years of age.

“Now, most of our children are diagnosed with hearing loss at birth and begin early intensive intervention soon after,” said Mr Rehn. “What we now know is that early access to language improves the outcomes for these children and children now receive cochlear implants from six months of age, really accelerating their progress.”

One of the early graduates from RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool, Tim Palmer,

completed high school in 2012 with an ATAR score of 93.85%. Tim will this year study Human Movement and International Studies at university.

“Tim is profoundly deaf and received his first cochlear implant at two years of age,” said Mr Rehn. “We are so proud of the outcomes that can now be achieved for children like Tim and we were delighted that Sir Michael was able to join us to meet with some of the children and their families during his time in Australia.”

RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool moved to its current North Rocks location in 1994. It is a reverse integration preschool, meaning that hearing children from the community also attend and are excellent language and learning models for their peers.

Marketing and Communications

Sir Michael and Lady Mary Parkinson visit RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool to celebrate its 25th anniversary

www.ridbc.org.au



MARKETING IMPACT IN 20142014 was another successful year in terms of RIDBC’s marketing impact and brand awareness, with hundreds of media mentions in print, radio and tv, reaching thousands of people across Australia each week.

Highlights include a significant story on Channel Ten TV News featuring Sir Michael Parkinson’s visit to RIDBC, a cover story in Sydney’s Child (syndicated across ‘My Child’ publications in all major Australian cities) and TV coverage featuring a 60 year-old Darwin resident’s cochlear implant journey through RIDBC’s SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, syndicated across the Channel 7 News Network.

RIDBC JOINT VICE REGAL PATRONAGEIn 2014 RIDBC Patron, Professor The Hon. Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO, retired from her post as Governor of New South Wales. RIDBC has enjoyed a long association with Dame Marie and we wish to sincerely thank her for her commitment to the education and support of children, adults and families impacted by vision or hearing loss.

Following the retirement of Dame Marie, RIDBC was honoured to subsequently be granted Joint Vice Regal Patronage by the new Governor – His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales, and Mrs Linda Hurley.

To mark this announcement, His Excellency the Governor and Mrs Hurley visited RIDBC to spend time meeting children and adults with vision or hearing loss supported by RIDBC. Both His Excellency and Mrs Hurley are committed to educational opportunity and inclusion for all people and we are very grateful for their support.

SCIC COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM, AN RIDBC SERVICEThe merger between SCIC and RIDBC in 2014 required significant internal and external communications activity, including the development of a new brand identity for the SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, promoting this program as a ‘service of RIDBC’, as well as the design and production of a full suite of new marketing materials, client information, web content, press packs, banners and presentations.

RIDBC benefits from having a trusted and mature name, but as we evolve and grow our services and expand our reach, we must ensure our brand remains relevant, strong and impactful, so we continue to reach those who need our services most.

Christian, who attends RIDBC VisionEd Preschool, is exploring tactile shapes with RIDBC Child Care Worker, Samantha

www.ridbc.org.au 53


AWARENESS WEEKS, CONFERENCES & EVENTSThroughout 2014, we supported RIDBC staff to participate in a variety of awareness driven activities such as the open day held at the Australian Hearing Hub during Hearing Awareness Week 2014.

Many RIDBC staff also presented at sector-specific conferences and events throughout the year, as well as appearances by our senior leadership team at a number of high profile industry and fundraising events.

RIDBC QUARTERLYOver 140,000 copies of our Quarterly newsletter were distributed via RIDBC sites and to RIDBC donors and key stakeholders in 2014.

SERVICES MARKETINGIn 2014 we established a new marketing and communications directorate, focusing on effectively marketing our programs and services directly to children, adults, and families impacted by vision or hearing loss.

We also targeted referral partners, positioning RIDBC within an increasingly competitive marketplace, and establishing marketing and communications programs to best deliver RIDBC’s key messages and increase brand awareness.

The enhancement of RIDBC’s services marketing activity is essential to ensure that RIDBC continues to meet the changing needs of clients, as the NDIS rolls out, and the relationship between service providers and clients is transformed by the introduction of new client centred funding models.

WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIAIn 2014, we achieved a 17% increase in overall website visits (sessions) and 6% new user visits from July – Dec 2014, compared to July – Dec 2013. There were an average of over 12,000 visitors a month to the RIDBC website in 2014. RIDBC’s social media presence also grew, with a 13% increase in Facebook followers, an 18% increase in Twitter followers and the launch of an RIDBC Instagram account.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONSInternally, we supported the organisation and our staff through some significant change management processes including assisting with NDIS readiness strategies, building capability and information dissemination.


OUR SERVICES - TECHNOLOGY, OPERATIONS & PROPERTY

RIDBC reduces its carbon footprintAs a leader in the not-for-profit sector and a charitable organisation, RIDBC recognises its role in the greater community and its responsibility to lead by example in sustainability and environmental policy. In 2014 we took steps to reduce our carbon footprint by examining our energy efficiency.

Electricity data analysis and systematic sub-metering have been ongoing since early 2014 to compile energy consumption profiles of RIDBC schools, services and departments. As a result of this data analysis, we have been able to develop more cost-effective strategies and began implementing these

from October 2014. These strategies included optimisation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; digital time-clocks for electric storage hot water systems; and the replacement of deteriorated electric hot water systems with evacuated tube solar hot water systems, in suitable sites and locations.

As a result of the implementation of these strategies, we have achieved significant reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions since September 2014 onwards.

During the last quarter of 2014, RIDBC consumed 58.4 mega-watt-hours less energy compared with the same period in 2013, avoiding 62 tonnes of carbon emissions equating to a reduction of 13% for the quarter.

During January 2015, we consumed 33.9 mega-watt-hours less energy compared with January 2014, avoiding 36 tonnes of carbon emissions equating to a reduction of 26% for the month.

This carbon footprint reduction is just one example of RIDBC’s commitment to using our resources wisely, and finding new ways to ensure that our administration and infrastructure costs are as low as possible, to allow charitable income to be directed to children, adults, families and professionals who need our support.

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ROYAL INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND CHILDREN Energy Consump.on & Carbon Emissions

kWh's of Energy

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Technology, Operations and Property

RIDBC’s Energy Consumption & Carbon Emmissions 2013-2015

www.ridbc.org.au 55

OUR SERVICES - TECHNOLOGY, OPERATIONS & PROPERTY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYDuring 2014, we completed a review of RIDBC’s IT requirements and modified the structure of the RIDBC “help desk” to enable quicker response time to queries or issues and to distinguish between IT and general facilities issues. This has already resulted in a more streamlined internal service. Another key project that commenced in 2014 and will continue into 2015 is the establishment of a central database that will enable RIDBC to report on key service and organisational metrics.

OPERATIONSIn keeping with our aim to ensure wise use of resources, during 2014 the operations of the RIDBC Facilities team was outsourced to an external provider. The new service delivery model is working well, with sites now being managed from a central provider and significant cost savings being made across all sites.

In 2014, we also completed a risk workshop on risk mapping and management. This work is continuing to ensure that RIDBC is ready and able to respond to any risk issue, in an effective and agile way.

PROPERTYAs RIDBC continues to expand its footprint and establish sites across Australia, it is timely to review RIDBC’s physical presence to ensure that we are in a position to establish smaller multipurpose sites, offering a range of services based on local need. As part of this strategy we are reviewing RIDBC’s physical buildings, assets and infrastructure and developing long term real estate plans in response to changing market dynamics and facilities requirements.

Technology, Operations and Property

IN 2014 WE EXPLORED A NUMBER OF OPTIONS TO STREAMLINE AND MANAGE OUR CORPORATE SERVICES REQUIREMENTS ACROSS RIDBC. THIS LED TO THE SEPARATION OF THE RIDBC FINANCE DIVISION INTO A STAND-ALONE DIRECTORATE AND THE FORMATION OF AN ADDITIONAL DIRECTORATE WITH A FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY, OPERATIONS AND PROPERTY


Our PeopleThroughout 2014, OUR PEOPLE continued to deliver our range of comprehensive services and organisational priorities to an extremely high standard and in an effective and agile way. Read on to see how OUR PEOPLE are working tirelessly to help even more children, adults and families with vision or hearing loss, and the professionals who support them

www.ridbc.org.au 57

OUR PEOPLE

In 2014, two RIDBC staff members were recognised within the Australian Honours program.

On Australia Day, Maree Rennie, Coordinator of RIDBC Matilda Rose Centre was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to the education of deaf children, particular those with additional needs, and to their families. Professor Greg Leigh, Director of RIDBC Renwick Centre was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to those with hearing loss in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Both Maree and Greg have devoted their working lives to improving outcomes for those with hearing loss, having each undertaken specialist qualifications in education of the deaf very early in their careers.

Remarkably, their early work in this field led to each of them receiving scholarships from the Rotary Foundation to continue their studies overseas.

Maree gained a Master’s degree in Education (Deaf, Deaf/Blind and Multiple Impairment) from Boston College, while Greg received his Master of Science (Speech and Hearing) degree from Washington University in St Louis before going on to complete his PhD in Special Education at Monash University.

Through her work at the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, Maree observed the struggle that some children with additional needs were experiencing in fulfilling their potential following cochlear implantation. She has been instrumental in the development of highly specialised programs for this group of children and their families and has developed a national reputation for her work in this field.

Similarly, Greg has developed a national and international reputation for his work in teacher education, research and public policy development. His commitment to the field extends far beyond the work

he does with RIDBC. He has served on numerous Australian government consultative committees on issues related to deafness and is a member of the Editorial Boards of both the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education and Deafness and Education International. He is Chair of the Australasian Newborn Hearing Screening Committee and is a former National President of the Education Commission for the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf. He is currently Chair of the International Steering Committee of the Asia-Pacific Congress on Deafness and Co-Chair of International Committee of the International Congress on Education of the Deaf.

We are all very proud of Maree and Greg and can see first-hand the difference that they are both making to children and adults with vision or hearing loss through the skills, knowledge and specialist expertise they bring to RIDBC and our services.

Conjoint Professor Greg Leigh AO (far left) and Maree Rennie OAM (L), receive their Australian Honours from then Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AD, CVO

RIDBC staff recognised in the Australia Day and Queen’s Birthday Honours

With over 450 employees and over 1,500 volunteers, RIDBC employs a diverse range of staff across its many programs including: teachers, audiologists, speech pathologists, orthoptists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, technology consultants, academics and researchers. We also employ a range of people in business support functions including corporate services, library services, fundraising, marketing and communications, information technology and human resources.

RIDBC is an equal opportunity employer. Compliance with child protection legislation is essential to all child-facing positions. At RIDBC we are committed to employing the very best people in the industry who have a genuine passion for working with children and adults with disabilities and have the right level of experience and knowledge.

RIDBC’s ability to provide high quality services to people with vision or hearing loss is directly dependent on the experience, knowledge and professionalism of our staff

RIDBC STAFF SERVICE AWARDSThe following RIDBC staff received service awards in 2014, recognising the years they have dedicated to helping children, adults and families with vision or hearing loss:

Staff Service

GENDER SPLIT

88% FEMALE

12% MALE

OUR PEOPLE Average Age

20 to <30 yrs

10%2%

70+ yrs

22%

30 to <40 yrs

28%

40 to <50 yrs

26%

50 to <60 yrs

12%

60 to <70 yrs

Jacqueline Alexander Tarna Cosgrove

Barbara Blakeney Valerie Johnston

Elspeth Brown Lynne CallaghanRachel ElliottHeather FarmerBarbara Howard

Kathy MacDonald Gillian Mills Celine MokLeonarda Scandurra

Genelle Cook Andree DeriuOlga LiapisMelinda LloydCorinne LoomesMelissa McCarthy

Carol McGeeWendy MiddletonFernando ValdiviaSharan WestcottRosa Wright

25 yrs

10 yrs

15 yrs

20 yrs


OUR PEOPLE

RECRUITMENTIn 2014 we welcomed 104 new staff to RIDBC, including 51 staff who joined RIDBC when we acquired the SCIC Cochlear Implant Program. Our focus is on matching highly qualified and experienced professionals to vacant roles, ensuring that induction programs, goal setting and performance review processes are in place, providing a clearly defined career path for new employees.

VOLUNTEERS In 2014 volunteers contributed over 26,000 hours of work for RIDBC, with over 945 people volunteering through RIDBC fundraising clubs and committees and another 250 volunteers contributing to RIDBC’s clinical and educational services or in administrative positions. We welcomed 86 new volunteers and farewelled 68 volunteers in 2014.

78 volunteers attended the RIDBC end of year ‘thank you’ luncheon held on International Volunteer Day, 4 December 2014. The end of year luncheon is an annual event to recognise our volunteers’ achievements and to acknowledge the wonderful contribution volunteers make to the successful running of RIDBC.

Recognition for RamaRama Ramakrishnan who has volunteered with RIDBC for 5 years in an administrative capacity, was a finalist at the Hornsby/North NSW Volunteer of the Year Award 2014. Rama was nominated not only for his incredible contribution to RIDBC but in recognition of the gracious way in which he contributes to the organisation – we are very grateful for the support we receive from volunteers such as Rama.

RIDBC Volunteer Service & Recognition Awards In 2014, 32 people were awarded RIDBC Volunteer Service and Recognition Awards:

WORK EXPERIENCE/PRACTICUM STUDENTSDuring 2014, 83 students from 52 different training institutes and schools attended RIDBC’s Work Experience and Practicum Program. Work experience and practicum students open up valuable pathways into the community as they take with them knowledge of the specialised work done by RIDBC, with some students continuing on to become regular volunteers.

<1 yr

15%

2%25+ yrs

18%

1 to <3 yrs

13%

3 to <5 yrs

22%

5 to <10 yrs

16%

10 to <15 yrs

14%

15 to <25 yrs

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LENGTH OF SERVICE

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

17 people

8 people

4 people

3 people

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40% PERM Part time

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3% TEMP Full time

2% TEMP Part time

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www.ridbc.org.au 59

OUR PEOPLE

OUR PEOPLE

Organisational Chart

OUR PEOPLE


RIDBC Jim Patrick Audiology Centre

Allied Health Services

Community Support Services

Government Partnerships &

Programs

SCIC Cochlear Implant ProgramCanberra, Darwin,

Gladesville, Gosford, Lismore, Liverpool,

Newcastle, North Rocks, Penrith,

Port Macquarie

Early Childhood Services

Preschool Services

School Services

Telepractice

Postgraduate Education

Research & Publications

Continuing Professional Education

Library & Information

Services

Finance, Accounting & Audit

Risk, Legal, Insurance & Secretarial

Payroll

DIRECTORClinical Services

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORRIDBC Renwick

Centre

DIRECTORCorporate Services

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

DIRECTOREducational

Services

The team at RIDBC Teleschool provide services and support via high quality video conferencing technology to children, adults and families living in regional and remote areas of Australia


OUR PEOPLE


OUR PEOPLE


Internal & External Marketing

Media & Public Relations

Branding & Positioning

Web & Social Media

DIRECTORMarketing &

Communications

DIRECTORPeople &

Performance

DIRECTORTechnology,

Operations & Property

Human Resources

Volunteers

Performance & Development

Planning

Workplace Health & Safety

Leadership & Management Development

Information & Communication

Technology

Database Architecture & Development

Procurement

Property & Facilities

DIRECTORDevelopment &

Fundraising

Direct Marketing

Relationship Development

Corporate & Community

Development

Donor Services & Telesales

Digital Fundraising

www.ridbc.org.au 61


Chris Rehn JP, BBus, DipAppSc CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Joined RIDBC in 2010. Previously Chris was General Manager of Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC). His early career was in health management within the public and private sectors. He is a Harvard Club Australia Non Profit Fellow.

Linda Berrigan BCom(Mktg) DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Linda joined RIDBC in February 2014. Linda is a marketing communications specialist with experience across a range of professional services, corporate, government and not for profit organisations in both the UK and Australia.

Bart Cavalletto RN, GradDipNMgt(Paed) DIRECTOR, CLINICAL SERVICES

Joined RIDBC in December 2013. Bart has significant experience in service delivery, planning and implementation. With over ten years’ experience in large government agencies, Bart has substantial knowledge of the workings of government, strategy and policy, including complex state-wide services and cochlear implant services.

Hockman Chang BConstMgt, MRE, DipAppSc, CertRiskMgt DIRECTOR, TECHNOLOGY, OPERATIONS & PROPERTY

Joined RIDBC in July 2013. Hockman has a background in property, construction, operations, risk, and work, health and safety, with experience working in senior management roles for ASX top 50 multinational and international corporations in Australia. Hockman brings a depth of project and program management disciplines to RIDBC.

Paul Harris BEc, MEc, MBA, FCPA DIRECTOR, CORPORATE SERVICES

Joined RIDBC in September 2009. Paul has held a variety of senior management positions in the corporate sector. Paul’s background is in finance, accounting, information systems and business, with experience working for ASX top 50 multinational corporations both in Australia and overseas in senior financial management roles.

OUR PEOPLE

Senior Leadership Team

Our senior leadership team are passionate about achieving the best outcomes for children and adults with vision or hearing loss, their families and the professionals who support them

www.ridbc.org.au 63

Professor Greg Leigh AO, DipTeach, BEd, MSc, PhD, FACE DIRECTOR, RIDBC RENWICK CENTRE

Joined RIDBC as Head of Renwick College in 1993, and was appointed Assistant Chief Executive (Educational Services) in 1999. In 2006, Greg was appointed to his current role, and assigned the responsibility of expanding and developing RIDBC’s research and professional development programs and facilities.

Melissa McCarthy BA, MED, LSLS Cert AVT DIRECTOR, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Joined RIDBC in 2004. Melissa was appointed to her current role in 2012. Her background is in speech pathology/audiology, deaf education and early childhood education with experience in a variety of educational settings, including five years as the Manager of RIDBC Teleschool.

Robert McLeod CEO, SCIC COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM

Joined RIDBC in July 2014. Rob has been involved in the not for profit sector for 10 years, the last four as Chief Executive of the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre. With over 25 years’ experience in the finance and corporate sector including national and international institutions, Rob brings a depth of management and commercial experience.

Alan Munro DipTeach, BEd, MAICD, MFIA DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING

Joined RIDBC in June 2014. With over 26 years’ experience in the technology sector including over 15 years in senior corporate leadership roles nationally and internationally, Alan brings a depth of sales, marketing and management experience. Alan has a Bachelor of Education Degree and Diploma in Teaching and taught in New Zealand and the UK before embarking on his corporate career. Anne Paredes AdvDipBus(HR) DIRECTOR, PEOPLE & PERFORMANCE

Joined RIDBC in July 2012 and was appointed to her current role as Director, People & Performance, in 2013. Anne has previously held senior HR management roles within a diverse range of industries including agriculture, marketing and IT. Robyn Williams EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Robyn joined RIDBC in August 2005 as Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and was appointed to her current role of Executive Officer in July 2014. Robyn has significant experience providing high level support, guidance and administrative assistance to Chief Executives, Senior Leadership Teams, Board Members and Members of Special Committees.

OUR PEOPLE

Senior Leadership Team

(L-R): Melissa McCarthy, Bart Cavalletto, Paul Harris, Linda Berrigan, Greg Leigh, Chris Rehn, Alan Munro, Hockman Chang, Robert McLeod, Robyn Williams, Anne Paredes


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board of Directors

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND GOVERNANCE

RIDBC Board of Directors has implemented a number of formal steps in corporate governance. These include an ‘Integrity Statement’, guidelines for the selection of persons to fill casual vacancies on the Board, and a process of performance self-appraisal by Board members.

INTEGRITY STATEMENT

Preamble

Good governance is essential to maintaining trust between RIDBC and its supporters, funding authorities and the families of students.

RIDBC is a charitable human service organisation. Accordingly, its Board will aim to promote appropriate values and attitudes of service, integrity, financial prudence, consideration of individuals, accountability and personal responsibility.

What is required of Board Members Criteria for Board membership are determined by the ‘Eligibility Guidelines’, largely derived from relevant clauses in the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Act 1998 and the By- Laws.

Conclusion

Members of the Board agree to be bound by this Integrity Statement. New appointees to the Board will be required to agree to be bound by the Integrity Statement. Any member of the Board finding herself/himself unable to meet or to continue to meet the requirements of the Integrity Statement must offer to resign from the Board.

The Board has responsibilities and duties defined under the Act and the By-Laws. These define broadly the processes of control by which the Board and management ensure that RIDBC is achieving its objectives effectively and efficiently, that its financial reporting is properly informative and reliable, and that it acts in compliance with all laws and regulations.

The Board selects and appoints the Chief Executive, who is accountable to the Board for the performance of RIDBC.

UNDER THE ROYAL INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND CHILDREN ACT, RIDBC’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ELECTED BY THE MEMBERS OF RIDBC FROM AMONGST THEIR OWN NUMBER

www.ridbc.org.au 65

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board of Directors

Prospective appointees to the Board of Directors must:

• Be, or be prepared to become, members of RIDBC in accord with the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Act

• Have sympathy with, and be prepared to contribute to, RIDBC’s purposes and objectives

• Have abilities and skills which would be of use to RIDBC

• Be compatible with and prepared to work harmoniously with existing members of the Board

• Have a range of personal and/or professional contacts from various fields of endeavour who would be of potential benefit to RIDBC

• Have an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a Board member.

• Shall be non-executive and unpaid and take no benefit whatsoever from their office. No member of RIDBC staff may be appointed to the Board

• Shall act at all times and in all matters in the best interests of RIDBC in conformity with its Act and the By-Laws

• Have a duty to ensure that the management of RIDBC is competent, ethical and prudent and that it acts in the best interests of RIDBC

• Shall at all times act honestly and in good faith in the exercise of their powers and the discharge of their duties of office

• Have a duty to use due care and diligence in fulfilling the functions of office and in exercising the powers attached to that office

• Should not engage in conduct likely to bring discredit upon RIDBC

• Shall not take improper advantage of their position nor allow personal, family or business interests to conflict with the interests of RIDBC

• Require the prior approval of the Board and subsequent disclosure to the members for the performance of any service or the supply of any article for which compensation may be received.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL BY SELF-ANALYSIS

In order to ensure that the Board is constituted so as to properly discharge its duties to the members, staff and clients of RIDBC, Board members agree that periodically they will undertake a performance appraisal by self-analysis.

This requires the completion and signing of a questionnaire, signifying continued agreement to be bound by the requirements of the Integrity Statement. A copy of the questionnaire can be found on RIDBC’s website at www.ridbc.org.au

Members of the BoardGuidelines – Appointments to the Board


Vice Presidents of the Board

PATRONS AND BOARD MEMBERS

President of the BoardMr Sean P Wareing, FCPA, ACIS, was appointed to the Board in 2000, elected a Vice President in 2003 and President in 2009. He is a Life Member of RIDBC. Mr Wareing has had extensive experience both as an Executive in, and Chairman or Director of, public and private companies. He is a Graduate of the Senior Management Program of the Harvard Business School, an Honorary Fellow of the University of Western Sydney and a former Vice-President of the NSW Division of CPA Australia.

Until Oct 2014 Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AD, CVO, Former Governor of NSW.

From Nov 2014 His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley, AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of NSW, and Mrs Linda Hurley.

Mr Norman B Rydge AM OBE, was a Director from 1977-2009 and President from 1995-2009. He is a Life Governor.

Mr David Dinte, BEc, LLB, MAICD, is a property developer with extensive experience in

commercial, retail, industrial and residential development, acquisition and management in both Australia and the United States of America. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centres. Mr Dinte joined the Board in 2000, was appointed a Vice President in 2009 and is a Life Member.

Board Meetings 6 of 7

Committe Meetings 3 of 5

Mr Richard Owens, AM, is Chairman of his family’s diversified retail, real estate development

and investment company, and a vigneron and wine producer in the Hunter Valley. He is Deputy Chairman of the Hunter Valley Training Company and is a board member of the Hunter Valley Research Foundation. He joined the Board in 1990, was appointed Vice President in 1999, and is a Life Governor. Mr Owens retired from the Board in December 2014.



Mrs Barbara Stone, AM, BA, DipEd, MEd, MAICD, FACE, FACEL, retired as Principal of MLC School in

2011. She is a past National Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, past Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools (NSW), past President of the Alliance of Girls’ Schools of Australasia, a Board member of the Association of Independent Schools (NSW), Kormilda College, Darwin and a member of the Advisory Group for Gifted Education Resource Research and Information Centre, UNSW. She joined the Board in 2002, was appointed a Vice President in 2012 and is a Life Member.



PatronVice Patron



Joint Vice-Regal Patrons

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BOARD MEMBERS

Directors of the BoardAssociate Professor Catherine Birman, MBBS, FRACS, GAICD,

is an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and a number of other public and private

hospitals. She is the Medical Director of the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre and is a member of the Macquarie University Medical Advisory Committee. She has been Chairman of the NSW division of the Australian Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and past Secretary of the Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Otolaryngology Society. A/ProfBirman joined the Board in 2011.



Mr John Landerer, CBE, AM, LLB (Syd), LLD (Honoris Causa Macquarie), is a solicitor specialising in corporate advisory

work, and a company director. He is Chairman of a number of private companies. He is a Director of the Garvan Research Foundation and other charitable institutions. He is a Fellow of the University of Sydney, Honorary Doctor at Macquarie University and Fellow of Tel Aviv University. He is a Member of the Order of Australia, Commander of the British Empire and Commander in the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity. Mr Landerer joined the Board in 2005 and retired from the Board in September 2014.



Mr Graeme Bradshaw, BEc, FFIA, CFRE, is the Principal of Graeme Bradshaw Consulting. He retired in 2007 from the role of Senior Partner

of DVA Navion Inc, a specialist international management and marketing consultancy serving the not for profit sector. Mr Bradshaw was Deputy General Manager of the Royal Blind Society of NSW. He is a member of the Foundation Board at Neuroscience Research Australia and Fellow Emeritus and past President of the Fundraising Institute of Australia. He joined the Board in 1998 and is a Life Member.



Mr Greg Sedgwick, BComm, MComm, FAICD, joined the Board in 2011. He was previously the Managing Director of Crane Group

Limited and was instrumental in fostering the corporate relationship between RIDBC and Crane. He was Vice President of the Australian Industry Group of NSW and a member of the Business Council of Australia. He is Chairman of NextGen Clubs and is a non executive director of Pentair Water Systems. He has had extensive international experience and has held board positions with listed companies in Japan, India and South Africa.



Mr Roger Gee, retired in 2006 from Qantas after a 41 year career with the airline. He retired as a 747 -400 Senior Check Captain. He has been an active

member of RIDBC’s Qantas Pathfinders Auxiliary for more than 30 years. He instigated the Charity Flight, a very successful fundraising event, and piloted the Qantas Children’s Jumbo Joy Flight for many years. Mr Gee joined the Board in 2008 and is a Life Member of RIDBC.



Mr Peter van Dongen BComm (Acc), FCA, F Fin, is the National Managing Partner of PwC

Australia’s assurance practice and a member of PwC Australia’s Executive Board. Peter has over 29 years’ experience in delivering assurance and other services to many of Australia’s largest ASX listed companies, predominately in the financial services sector. Peter has contributed to numerous regulatory and industry based initiatives, including for ASIC, the Australian Auditing Standards Board and the Financial Services Council. He joined the Board in November 2013.



www.ridbc.org.au


OUR PEOPLE

Under the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Act, the Board is empowered to establish such committees as the Board thinks will assist it to exercise its functions. Currently, there are six Standing Committees as detailed below. The committees are constituted at the first meeting of the Board after the Annual General Meeting of RIDBC.

Standing Committees of the Board

Committee Members

Capital Projects Committee

Oversees all but minor capital projects, receiving proposals from the Chief Executive and making recommendations to the Board in relation to proposed projects

David Dinte (Chairman) Richard Owens Barbara Stone Sean Wareing

Fundraising Committee

Receives and considers plans and progress reports in relation to RIDBC’s community relations and fundraising activities. The committee reviews the annual Operational Plan for community relations and fundraising

Graeme Bradshaw (Chairman) David Dinte Roger Gee Richard Owens Greg Sedgwick

Finance, Audit & Risk Committee

Reviews the accounting policies of RIDBC, the provision of financial information, and the policy on risk management. The committee receives and reviews the annual budgets and financial statements prior to their consideration by the Board

Peter van Dongen (Chairman) A/Prof Catherine Birman John Landerer Greg Sedgwick

Investment Committee

Reviews RIDBC’s investment policies and practices to ensure they are and remain appropriate to RIDBC’s needs

Sean Wareing (Chairman) David Dinte Richard Owens Peter van Dongen

Nominations & Governance Committee

Develops and maintains guidelines to apprise prospective Board members of the Board’s expectations of its members, and advises the Board on the selection and recruitment of persons to fill vacancies on the Board

Sean Wareing (Chairman) David Dinte Richard Owens Barbara Stone

Operational Services Committee

Receives and considers proposals that relate to the establishment of new programs or services, or to significant changes or the discontinuation of existing programs or services. The committee reviews the annual Operational Plan for services

Barbara Stone (Chairman) A/Prof Catherine Birman Graeme Bradshaw Roger Gee John Landerer

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OUR PEOPLE

Support received from members of the community, from professionals and from organisations is at the centre of RIDBC’s ability to deliver the services it provides. Many people assist in a variety of ways. RIDBC wishes to acknowledge this support.

Consulting Otologist: Professor William Gibson, AM, MD, FRACS, FRCS Associate Professor Catherine Birman, MBBS, FRACS, GAICD Consulting Paediatrician: Phillip Emder, FRACP Patricia Mutton, FRACP, MB, BS, BSc(Med)

Auditor: Grant Thornton Banker: St George Bank Solicitor: Bartier Perry Hodgkinson McInnes Legal Insurance Broker: Aon Risk Services Australia Investment Advisor: JANA Investment Advisors

Abigroup LtdRobert Albert AORichard Bonynge AO CBEBruce & Joy Reid FoundationLenore BuckleKenny ChengCochlear LimitedCrane Group LimitedCharles Curran ACProfessor Christine E DeerGwynvill GroupIan HolmesMerry HowiePieter HuveneersJames N Kirby FoundationKathleen Breen Children’s Charity TrustKumagai Australia Pty LtdDorothy Malouf OAMMyer Community FundArdeis Myers JnrNational Australia BankNetwork TenLysia O’KeefeOpera AustraliaRichard Owens AMSir Michael Parkinson CBEIan Paul

Qantas Airways LtdJohn RaceVera RadóR A Gale FoundationRotary Club of CarlingfordRotary International District 9680Rotary International District 9690Rotary international District 9750Royal NSW Bowling AssociationNorman Rydge AM OBELynda Rydge-GuytonJanis SalisburySt Andrew’s Cathedral SchoolGraeme Skarratt OAMSuttons MotorsTerrace Tower Pty LtdThe Profield FoundationTransfield Pty LtdTasia VarvaressosVincent Fairfax Family Foundation

RIDBC Honourees

Life Governors at 31 December 2014VISITING AND HONORARY PROFESSIONALSTAFF AND ORGANISATIONS

Andie from RIDBC Nepean Preschool receives support for her hearing loss


OUR PEOPLE

RIDBC Staff in the Community

Tricia d’Apice President, Sydney Braille ForumSecretary, International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) Life Member, South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI)

Alison Byrne Member, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee, Vision 2020 Australia

Breda Carty Consultant Expert on Education and Deaf Community and Culture, Deaf AustraliaMember, Editorial Board, Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Newsletter Editor, Deaf History International

Annette Clarke Member, Deafblind International

Brian Conway Executive Member, South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI)Treasurer and Public Officer, Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Vice President, Flintwood Disability Services

Jacqui Donnelly Member, Accessible Assessment Working Party, Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities

Jill Duncan Board Member, Aussie Deaf Kids Member, Editorial Board, The Volta Review

Frances Gentle President, South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI) Second Vice President, International Council for the Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) Convening Editor, Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Member, Examinations Board, Australian Braille AuthorityMember, Global Committee Vision 2020 Australia Member, Reference Group on Education of Children with Vision Impairment in Papua New Guinea (PNG), CBM New Zealand and Callan Services for Disabled Persons, PNGMember, Teacher Preparation Working Group, UNICEF Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities (CPcwd)

Harzita Hashim Member, Independence and Participation Committee, Vision 2020 Australia

Jayne Kirwan Co-Convenor, Australian Psychological Society Deafness and Psychology Interest Group

Michelle Knight Member, E-text Guidelines Working Party, Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities

Greg Leigh Chair, Australasian Newborn Hearing Screening Committee Co-Chair, International Committee, International Congress on Education of the Deaf Chair, International Steering Committee, Asia Pacific Congress on Deafness Consultant Expert on Education, Deaf Australia Member, Editorial Board, Deafness and Education International Member, Editorial Board, Phonetics and Speech Sciences Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education Adjunct Professor, Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University

Tracey McCann Honorary Member, Deaf Services Queensland

Hester MacMillan Co-Convenor, Australian Psychological Society Deafness and Psychology Interest Group

Sonali MaratheMember, E-text Guidelines Working Party, Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities

Philip Newall Editorial Associate, Journal of the American Academy of Audiology Editorial Consultant, Australian Journal of Audiology Expert Committee Member, Chinese Scientific Journal of Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation Board Member, Hearing International Board Member, Carabez Alliance for Deaf Children Advisory Board Member ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its Disorders Senior Consultant, China Research and Rehabilitation Centre for Deaf Children Visiting Professor, University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines, Manila Emeritus Professor in Audiology, Macquarie University

Colleen Psarros Board Member, Audiology Australia

Sue Silveira Director, Australian Orthoptic Board Council Member, NSW Branch Orthoptics Australia Convenor of Awards and Grants Standing Committee, Orthoptics Australia Member, Orthoptics Australia Council Advisory CommitteeMember, Editorial Board, Journal of South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Public Officer, South Pacific Educators in Vision ImpairmentMember, Orthoptic Standing Committee, Agency for Clinical Innovation Member of the State-wide Eyesight Preschool Screening (StEPS) Implementation and Review Committee, NSW Ministry of Health

Trudy Smith Chairperson, National Association of Australian Teachers of the Deaf

Mike Steer Editor, International Journal of Orientation and Mobility Editorial Consultant, Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Editorial Consultant, Australasian Journal of Special Education NSW Committee Member, International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI)

Celia Vild NSW Branch Councillor, South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI)

Paul Harris Member, NFP Conference National Taskforce, CPA Australia NSW Divisional Councillor, CPA NSW

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OUR PEOPLE

RIDBC Staff in the Community

Sue Silveira, RIDBC Senior Researcher, regularly presents on behalf of RIDBC Renwick Centre

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC)

RIDBC North Rocks – Head Office & Main CampusNorth Rocks, NSW T 1300 581 391 (TTY/V)Services offered: • Early intervention & early learning programs• Specialist preschools, schools & school support - RIDBC Rockie Woofit Preschool - RIDBC Roberta Reid Preschool - RIDBC Vision Ed Preschool - RIDBC Thomas Pattison School - RIDBC Alice Betteridge School - RIDBC School Support Service - RIDBC Teleschool & telepractice programs• Assessment, diagnostics, therapy & rehabilitation services• Audiology services – RIDBC Jim Patrick Audiology Centre• Cochlear implant services – SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service• Research, postgraduate & professional education services – RIDBC Renwick Centre

NSW

Gosford/Central Coast Gosford, NSW T 02 4323 4567 or 1300 659 981

Gladesville* Gladesville, NSW T 1300 658 981

Hunter Floraville, NSW T 02 4942 8455 (TTY/V)

Lismore Lismore, NSW T 02 6622 5593

Liverpool Liverpool, NSW T 1300 581 391

Miranda Miranda, NSW T 1300 581 391

Nepean Glenmore Park, NSW T 02 4733 4239 (TTY/V)

Newcastle* Newcastle, NSW T 1300 658 981

North Parramatta – RIDBC Garfield Barwick School North Parramatta, NSW T 02 8838 1400 (TTY/V)

North Ryde – RIDBC at the Australian Hearing Hub Macquarie University, NSW T 02 9887 3622

Penrith* Penrith, NSW T 1300 658 981

Port Macquarie* Port Macquarie, NSW T 1300 658 981

Rouse Hill – RIDBC Hear the Children Rouse Hill, NSW T 04 2108 5299

Waverley – RIDBC Matilda Rose Centre Waverley, NSW T 02 9369 1423 ACT

Canberra Canberra, ACT T 1300 658 981 NT

Darwin Casuarina, NT T 08 8945 6498

General Information: T 02 9871 1233 (TTY/V)Service enquiries: T 1300 581 391Donations: T 1800 043 411Private Bag 29 Parramatta NSW 2124E [email protected] W www.ridbc.org.au

Other RIDBC & SCIC Cochlear Implant Program Sites

*Locations with an asterisk indicate stand-alone ‘SCIC Cochlear Implant Program´ sites.

Join the RIDBC conversation!You can be part of the RIDBC community online by following us on Facebook, Intagram and Twitter.

To subscribe to the RIDBC e-newsletter go to www.ridbc.org.au

/ridbc @ridbc@ridbc

Clive, who is legally blind, is being supported by RIDBC to ensure he is ready for ‘big school’!

The 2014 Financial Report and Accounts of RIDBC can be accessed via the RIDBC website at www.ridbc.org.au/annual-report

Thank you to the many children, adults, families, professionals, volunteers, donors and supporters whose stories are featured in this year’s Annual Report. Together we are achieving the best outcomes for current and future generations of Australians with vision or hearing loss.

To find out more about how you can make a difference, visit www.ridbc.org.au/howtohelp call 1800 043 411 or email [email protected] © April 2015, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children

You can make a difference

Every year, thousands of people help RIDBC make a difference. Here are just a few of the many ways you can help:

Make a Donation Many individuals and organisations donate to RIDBC each year.

Become a Volunteer Volunteers support our staff in areas as diverse as making tactile books, assisting in classrooms and gardening.

Leave a Lasting Legacy Funds donated through bequests, trusts, foundations or permanent funds, continue to support future generations.

Participate in Fundraising Events Whether you want to raise funds for RIDBC through your own fundraising event, or participate in an existing event, we can help you maximise success!

Join a Fundraising Group Over 1,250 people volunteer through fundraising clubs and committees.

Buy an RIDBC Rainbow Lottery Ticket RIDBC Rainbow Lottery is held four times a year with $25,000 in prizes to be won each time, including cash and gift vouchers.

Become a Corporate Partner Talk to us about becoming an RIDBC corporate partner, donating funds through workplace giving, or volunteering for RIDBC alongside your work colleagues.

Ella, who has vision loss, is being supported by RIDBC Teleschool to learn braille

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Annual Report 2014

Documents

Transcript of Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Annual Report 2014