YOUTH GRANTS 2016
(Information Kit in Plain English)
Background of the Youth Grants
The aim of Deaf Children Australia’s Youth Grant Program is to recognise ideas and achievements of young deaf people from all over Australia and highlight the positive contribution that young deaf people make to society.
The program was established in 2000 after combining two existing trusts; the Nelson & Brook Educational Trusts with the Cecilia & Allen Tye Trust. In addition, Deaf Children Australia matches this Victorian funding dollar for dollar to make the Youth Grants available Australia-wide.
Conditions
· You are deaf or hard of hearing.
· You are 15 – 23 years of age now, and will not be 24 years old by the end of your project.
· We provide Youth Grants every year. You have to start your project this year (2016) and you have 12 months to finish. For example, from July 2016 – June 2017. Please contact us if you cannot start this year.
· You can apply for the Youth Grant for your own (individual) project, or for a small group project [maximum four people].
· The maximum amount you get is $2,500.
· You must be an Australian resident.
· You must keep receipts and invoices of your expenses. At the end of your project, send them to Deaf Children Australia with the claim form and we then pay you for that amount. You must do this by 31 January 2017.
· New applicants will be looked at first.
· When you finish the project, you have to submit a report.
· If you have applied before, we will not take applications for similar projects. But you can still apply every year for different projects.
· You will provide a report at completion of your project.
· After your report has been submitted, a representative of Deaf Children Australia may contact you to ask more about your project. This information, together with the report, can be written into a good news story which could be used in Deaf Children Australia newsletters, on the website and social media. The local newspaper may also be approached about your story.
· Upon successful application, you will be asked to attend a Youth Grant Award function in 2016.
Community Benefit
Your application needs to show the benefit for both deaf and hearing communities in Australia.
The benefits will vary, depending upon each project and grant category. Your project may impact a community directly. For example, running a social club for young deaf children or creating an art exhibition in your area.
You may want to use the money to research Deaf cultures overseas. What you learn, you can bring back to pass on to others in the community. This might involve a series of talks or workshops at local schools, deaf clubs and other community groups.
Deaf Children Australia wants the grant winners to inspire other deaf children and young deaf people to achieve their full potential and provide positive deaf role models.
Your project could be based on -
§ Personal Development - A dream, ambition or personal goal that may boost self-esteem and contribute to personal development, for example, attending an international camp, writing a play or participating in sporting events (conditions apply).
§ Deaf Community & Culture - Exploring an aspect of Deaf Community and Culture; such as exploring other people’s life experiences and values, visiting a deaf school in another state, volunteering to work at a deaf school, attending an exchange program overseas, studying the history of the Deaf community or visiting deaf children in isolated/rural areas.
§ Leadership Challenges - Funding to develop your leadership skills and provide a positive image of young deaf people to the wider community. Recipients could teach deaf awareness or Auslan in a community group or mainstream school, teach Auslan to parents of deaf children, set up a deaf youth club or establish a sporting club for young deaf people or young people with disabilities.
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2016 – Youth Grant Information (Plain English)
§ Education – Deaf Children Australia strongly supports young deaf people studying in any field at Secondary or Tertiary levels, and those who may need support with their specific education goals. This could be studying at University or TAFE, attending a special conference or event that is related to your course or interest, or completing a small course such as aromatherapy, massage therapy or business studies.
§ Life Experience/Education – For example; participating in a team sport and representing your state or Australia against other teams and competitors.
Applications that will not be considered
The following types of projects WILL NOT receive grants from the Deaf Children Australia Youth Grants
§ Applications by an organised group such as schools, voluntary groups or youth clubs
§ Fundraising activities eg a cycle ride for Deaf Children Australia or any other charity.
§ Applications for financial assistance with support services (eg. interpreters/note takers) for students in Tertiary or Secondary education
§ Driver’s Education
§ Leisure camps such as end of year school celebrations or end of year camps
§ School trips will not be funded unless the camp has a direct community benefit, eg Leadership camps, Duke of Edinburgh medals
§ Equipment such as digital and video cameras will not be supported unless the applicant requires the equipment for their TAFE/University course
§ Computers (including laptops), hardware and software will not be provided unless the applicant has an additional disability and can demonstrate its need for their education.
How to write your application
Deaf Children Australia encourages you to complete your application form on your own but we understand that you may need to ask for some help.
All questions must be answered. We do not accept incomplete applications.
It is important to keep the following things in mind when completing the application form -
§ Have a good understanding of the project – do the research
§ Understand how you will benefit personally, and how the community will benefit from your project
There are three ways to submit an application:
First, download the application from our website (PDF), or contact us to request a copy (contact details at bottom of page).
1. Complete the application form on your computer in PDF format. Type your answers into the form, then press ‘Submit’. You might like to print your application and keep own copy, or
2. Print the application form and complete it by hand. Make sure your handwriting is clear, in either blue or black pen. Then email, post or fax it to Deaf Children Australia (details at bottom of page) or,
3. Make a video in Auslan. Please be brief and answer as many of the questions as possible from the application form. You should upload your video on YouTube and provide the link in question 1 of the application (Title of the Project). Or you could save the video (in Quicktime or Media Player) on a USB stick, CD or DVD and post it to Deaf Children Australia. You must complete referees and authorisation on the application form, then email, post or fax it to Deaf Children Australia (see details below).
If you have any questions contact:
Youth Grants Coordinator
Deaf Children Australia
Tel 03 9539 5313 TTY 03 9510 7143 Fax 03 9525 2595
Applications close 5pm, 29 April 2016.
Good Luck!
Post completed application forms to:
Youth Grants Coordinator
Deaf Children Australia
PO Box 6466
St Kilda Road Central
Melbourne 8008
Or email the application to
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2016 – Youth Grant Information (Plain English)