Join us for our next event to see what we're all about!
History of Sonic
Sonic is an offshoot of The Shepherd Centre, which specializes in helping deaf kids learn to listen and speak in their early years, so that they may go onto mainstream school and have the option to be part of the hearing world. As these kids go off to school and make friends with hearing peers, they may not ever come in contact with other deaf kids like them. The idea for Sonic was born out of a desire to bring these young people together so they could meet others like them - people who know what it's like to be deaf whilst living in the hearing world. With the help of some wonderful sponsorship from Vodafone Australia Foundation, the dream to offer young deaf people a group like Sonic has become real!
What happens at Sonic?
Sonic gets young people together who want to have fun and connect. The emphasis is on getting great events happening (like concerts, technology days, or go-kart racing) and making friends, not necessarily on what everyone has in common, which is being deaf. But there are also information and discussion events relating to being hearing impaired for those who are interested - and, very importantly, a chatroom to help everyone get connected! What happens at Sonic is up to the people who come and participate, and make it happen! Sonic wants you to come and help decide how you want to be heard.
Who is Sonic for?
You are:
- between the ages of 12 and 24
- using hearing aids or cochlear implant and spoken communication
- interested in having fun and getting connected with other young people
like yourself
Sonic welcomes any young person with a hearing impairment who wants to join in. At Sonic get-togethers, we run 2 groups: one for school-age kids (12-17) and one for young adults (18-24). Friends and family are welcome to join in the fun at social events.
| About The Shepherd Centre |
| The Shepherd Centre works with young children who are deaf and hearing impaired to teach them to speak and communicate in the hearing world. The approach focuses on listening as the foundation for developing spoken language, through the use of hearing devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. The philosophy of The Shepherd Centre is that by getting in early with amplification and intensive therapy, deaf children can develop good spoken language, and thereby have the chance to attend mainstream schools and be part of the hearing world. Some members of Sonic may have attended The Shepherd Centre when very young for early intervention, but this is not a requirement for joining the group. |