Strategic Goals for hearing disability
2023-2026
A proactive roadmap designed to bridge the gap between policy and lived experience, ensuring hearing health is recognized as a cornerstone of national wellbeing.
Our Mission: Transforming the National Landscape
Strategic Goals 2023–2026
Our strategy is built upon the foundational belief that Hearing is Health. It is not an isolated disability; it is a critical component of healthy aging, educational success, and social cohesion. Over the next four years, we will pivot from a purely representative model to a “Catalyst” model, driving innovation and cross-sector collaboration.
Awareness & Inclusion
Communication access, accessibility, rights, and participation.
Prevention
Reducing preventable hearing loss and ear/balance disorders.
Identification & Response
Early identification and equitable access to services across the lifespan.
Closing the Gap
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ear and hearing health through culturally safe, co-designed approaches.
Impact Metrics
“How we measure our success in delivering this strategy.”
Accountability
Our strategic plan is reviewed quarterly by an independent Governance Committee to ensure transparency and performance.
Governance PolicyOur Strategy in Action
Download the full 64-page Strategic Document for a technical breakdown of our KPIs.
Download DocumentHelp Us Deliver
Strategic goals require sustainable funding. Your donation makes this plan possible.
Donate NowOperational Priorities for 2026
EARLY CHILDHOOD IDENTIFICATION & SCREENING
Strengthen early detection and intervention pathways.
- Advocate for universal and culturally safe early childhood hearing screening
- Partner with health and education systems to reduce delays in diagnosis
- Support national prevention and early-response strategies
- Embed hearing health in child development policy frameworks
EQUITABLE ACCESS
Position DFA as a lead adviser on equitable access to ensure geography does not determine outcomes.
- Advocate for telehealth, mobile clinics, and workforce incentives
- Strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Address service and equity gaps across health, education, and disability systems
- Influence funding models for regional sustainability
AGEING & LIFESPAN SUPPORT
Advocate for hearing services for Australians aged 65+.
- Lobby for funded hearing services for older Australians
- Address hearing loss as a public health and ageing issue
- Influence aged care and health reform policy
- Reduce social isolation through communication access
WORKFORCE PATHWAYS & AUSLAN QUALIFICATIONS
Support achievement of Disability Royal Commission Recommendation 6.2.
- Improve Auslan interpreter and teacher workforce pipelines
- Partner with training providers and universities
- Advocate for national workforce planning and investment
- Support culturally and linguistically diverse pathways into Auslan careers
ORGANISATIONAL STRENGTH & SYSTEM IMPACT
Ensure DFA’s independence, capability and long-term viability.
- Diversify funding sources
- Strengthen governance and Board capability
- Build national partnerships and philanthropic support
- Measure and report impact
Help us shape the future.
Our strategy is only as strong as the community that supports it. Join us in making this vision a reality.
