For Kimberley, graduating from a Master of Disability Studies in education for children who are deaf or hard of hearing marks the fulfillment of a long-held dream.

Her passion for the Deaf community and learning sign language was ignited some 20 years ago when she embarked on a Certificate II in Auslan, with a view to eventually becoming a Teacher of the Deaf.

Kimberley’s career has been rich and diverse. She has worked in a variety of roles in both the education and disability sectors, and her thirst for knowledge has seen her study childcare, disability and teaching. She has also trained in areas such as assistive and alternative communication and Key Word Sign.

The Master of Disability Studies was a natural next step to help her better support students with hearing loss.

‘Having experience across the various sectors gave me the foundations for both my role as an itinerant support teacher and as a student in the master’s course’, she says.

Our Master of Disability Studies program is administered and delivered by our research and professional education arm, NextSense Institute, in affiliation with Macquarie University. Students can select a specialisation for teachers working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing (which Kimberley chose), or with those who are blind or have low vision. Alternatively, they can specialise in Sensory Disability, which is particularly relevant for allied health practitioners and other professionals working with children and adults living with disability.

Kimberley completed her master’s over 18 months, juggling full-time work and further Auslan studies, as well as caring for her children. While challenging, she found it manageable and relatable, with case study assessment tasks that closely aligned with her role as an itinerant support teacher.

During the course, Kimberley learned about anatomy and physiology in relation to speech, and how this can be applied in the classroom for children who are deaf or hard of hearing—something she discovered she had an unexpected passion for.

While for now her sights are set on working as a permanent itinerant support teacher, she says she’s gained a more holistic understanding of hearing loss that’s improved her practice. She is keen to broaden her horizons beyond teaching in future—maybe even furthering her studies in speech therapy.

‘I am so excited to have graduated’, she says. ‘It was lots of hours of study and important knowledge I’m glad I’ve learned. I’m looking forward to using it.’