Events
Power of Speech
The Power of Speech is an an event which showcases the amazing achievements of children who are deaf and use spoken language to communicate, challenging the perceptions of what children with hearing loss can achieve.
As part of the event, seven children between the ages of 7-8 from First Voice member organisations around Australia and New Zealand, who have received cochlear implants, took to the centre stage. The children presented short speeches to key policymakers around this year’s theme, ‘Connections’, proving that deafness is not a barrier to human connections and how early intervention support and cochlear implants have been helping them reach their full potential.
These inspiring children also shared with politicians how they defy commonly held misconceptions about growing up with a hearing loss.
“We are delighted to announce the official date for the Power of Speech, an event that allows children who have hearing loss and who hear the world through their cochlear implant to share their stories and experiences with politicians. It gives attendees the chance to hear first-hand the integral role that the services provided by the members of First Voice play in the lives of those with hearing loss,” says Jim Hungerford, Chair of First Voice.
The event took place on 8 September 2022 at The Mural Hall, Parliament House, Parliament Drive, Canberra, ACT. The event is made possible due to the sponsorship of Cochlear Limited.
Watch the 2022 Power of Speech video here
Loud Shirt Day
Loud Shirt Day is an annual fundraising day celebrated in October of each year to support the work of First Voice member centres. It’s celebrated each year by schools, small and large businesses, cafes, government departments – any many other different types of organisations – to support children who are deaf or hearing impaired. Many organisations nominate their own date in October to recognise the day – and tie this into a staff event, general fundraiser or other team building opportunity. Loud Shirt Day is a day to wear your brightest clothes and raise money to help give the gift of sound and speech to deaf children.
You can find out more or register to participate by visiting the Loud Shirt Day website.
Why support Loud Shirt Day
All First Voice member and affiliate centres receive only a portion of their funding from state and federal governments, and rely heavily on corporate and community support and fundraising to raise the funds necessary to deliver intensive therapy services to those families that need them.
