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Emigrating with Deaf baby with hearing aids


Guest vhattle

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Guest vhattle

I wanted to ask if anyone knew how easy it was to get into the system to get support for a deaf baby with hearing aids. I am hoping to emigrate with my family next year either to Perthy or Adelaide with a work sponsored Visa (I am a midwife). I wanted to know if there was any support I could get while on a temporary visa or is financial assistance only given to permanent visa holders.

 

Any help regarding deaf support would be gratefully received.

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I can't tell you anything about Perth but I have a profoundly deaf brother who lives in Adelaide and a profoundly deaf cousin who lives in Melbourne. I know from experience that the support for the deaf in both of these states is second to none, all supplies for deaf children under the age of 21 are free, this includes aids and batteries and cochlear implant surgery if appropriate (or wanted). As the UK and Aust have a reciprocal arrangement for healthcare, this should include your little one. If you have questions, maybe have a look for the Deaf Societies in the states you are interested in, they should have contact email addresses and they will be able to help you that way.

Best of luck to you and your family.

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Do you have a visa? It might be a good idea to talk to an agent who specialises in medical conditions in order to get a realistic view of whether you are likely to be given a visa. The needier the child, the less likely it is that you will get a permanent visa. If the prognosis, for example, is that the child will need signing as communication then the cost of education etc would put them above the threshold of expense to the tax payer. If you hope to become permanent at any stage then the medical criteria will still have to be met. (Peter Bollard and George Lombard are usually mentioned in this connection - they could give you the low down on what you could/couldnt expect. No affiliation blah blah)

 

As a temporary resident you may well have to fork out for therapies, supports and any medical intervention - which, of course, would not be covered by insurance as this is a pre-existing condition and you probably wouldnt want to bank on any intervention being covered under the reciprocal arrangement which is for essential medical intervention.

 

Moving to Australia with a disability can be a difficult prospect - good luck!

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