Special treat for special youths

From: Ballarat Courier, Australia - Aug 25, 2005

ABOUT 30 hearing-impaired youths aged seven to 16 were given a special treat as part of Hearing Awareness Week yesterday.

Lee-Anne Sargent, from Australian Hearing, said the youths were from the Ballarat Deaf Facility and other various schools in the city.

"They're going to see a captioned movie, The Pacifier, and then we're taking them out to lunch," she said.

Erica Povey, from the Ballarat Deaf Facility at the Forrest St Primary School said students had been looking forward to the day all week.

"They're very excited," she said.

"It also helps deaf children and their meet other deaf children."

Terry Hardy, 7, was delighted to be included in the events yesterday.

His mother, Alison Hardy, said it was one of the few captioned movies her son would see.

"He's been looking forward to it all week," she said.

Ms Hardy praised the Ballarat Deaf Facility for its program.

"They're wonderful, absolutely wonderful," she said.

"The teachers are very supportive."

Ms Sargent said free hearing tests would be available at Central Square from 2pm today as part of Hearing Awareness Week.

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