Family Day & 70th Anniversary

Specifically, our project did the following:  

1. Gave our youth members an opportunity to build a community they can call their own and, together, try cool activities and learn new life skills.
2. Enabled the youth to grow relationships, independence and confidence in themselves and their abilities.
3. Integrated our youth with Deaf adults at our Christmas event allowing them to further integrate with their Deaf Community.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth were able to attend our events independently giving them the increased confidence to interact with the wider Deaf community and in large public venues and events.

Tuan, Deaf youth, highlighted that his key positive was “The experience of going by myself and connecting with 2 brothers…” as he has previously been anxious about attending events alone but now felt supported by these new friendships. Attendees left our events with new or renewed friendships, stronger connections to the Deaf community and a general sense of belonging. 

We were also able to introduce some members to experiences they may not have had the opportunity to get involved in before as APODC covered the full cost of their attendance, thanks to NZSL funding. Ruth, APODC Parent, said “I love that APODC gives opportunities for our kids to be with their peers”.

The youth attendees enjoyed a fully interactive 1.5 hour guided tour of the Weta Workshop followed by a 2.5 hour 'Intro into special effects' creative workshop. This was a hands-on creative workshop that taught the attendees some special effects skills to deliver realistic and gory effects. They learnt how to design a gruesome wound and used prosthetic effects to apply it their own skin. This artistic experience was not only fun but also helped our youth members to work on their ability to follow and understand verbal, signed and written instructions, develop and explore their creative design skills and demonstrate their physical dexterity when moulding and painting their final creation. Josie, Deaf Youth, said that the Weta Workshop was an “Awesome, creative, visual experience!”

Our larger all ages Christmas Gala, which was hosted jointly with Auckland Deaf Society, was a huge success. All our youth attendees loved the photobooth and tasty burgers and tacos we provided. Tania, APODC Parent, said “I liked how it catered for all ages & the package at the end is a very special treat for the whole family to enjoy”.

As this event was held at the same venue as Deaf Club our youth felt comfortable and at home and were able to meet and connect with Deaf adults as well hearing families of other Deaf youth. David, Deaf adult and member of APODC said “Great to have it at the Deaf club. Lots of new faces”.

While it’s important that APODC connects families with shared experiences as they navigate their journey to become part of the Deaf community it’s vital that our members and, most importantly, our Deaf and Hard of Hearing children meet other Deaf adults and role models that they can relate to who are well established and respected in the community.