Published on: 3rd June 2024
Deaf Connect is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Melbourne Polytechnic which paves the way for enhanced collaboration between the two organisations across a range of key strategic focus areas.
Some of the greatest challenges facing Australia’s Deaf community in the future will come from workforce training, sustainability and growth. Strong partnerships and collaboration are crucial to address these issues and Deaf Connect looks forward to working with Melbourne Polytechnic and other key stakeholders in the sector to address these issues and to deliver successful outcomes for the Australian Deaf community.
The MOU with Melbourne Polytechnic has three main elements:
- Information Sharing
Deaf Connect and Melbourne Polytechnic align closely in our organisational strategic goals and objectives. By exchanging subject matter expertise, we bolster our capacity to achieve our respective visions, ultimately benefitting both entities and the communities we serve. - Auslan Training and Workforce
Our organisations engage with similar cohorts within the wider Deaf community. This MOU provides us with the opportunity to explore various service delivery options, including accredited training in Auslan and Auslan translations, thereby enhancing the Auslan workforce. - Co-location and a new office for Deaf Connect
As previously announced, Deaf Connect’s property strategy includes a permanent office for our Victoria based staff and with this MOU we are pleased to confirm that Deaf Connect will be co-locating with Melbourne Polytechnic at Prahran for the remainder of 2024 and then in a new Deaf-friendly space on the Collingwood campus in 2025.
The opportunities created by this partnership are exciting for us here at Deaf Connect – and for the community at large. We look forward to keeping our community informed as we progress our partnership.