NEXTSENSE, a new $75 million centre for research innovation, was officially opened this week by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, at Macquarie University, Sydney.
The centre will support ongoing research, education, and treatment to enhance the lives of people living with hearing and vision loss nationwide.
The centre, supported by a $12.5 million investment from the Australian Government, aims to deliver useful services that will advance education and research in sensory disabilities.
It will house allied health, disability, and cochlear implant services for children and adults, along with a school, preschool, and a major research and professional education program.
NextSense Chief Executive Chris Rehn said, "this new research centre is an important investment in removing barriers for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision".
"It will change lives and create new opportunities for the way education and services are delivered to all people with sensory disabilities in Australia."
Rehn added that NextSense will scale up to meet the growing need for in-person and remote hearing and vision services across Australia, enhancing awareness and access to adult hearing care and early intervention for children.
MEANWHILE, across town in Western Sydney, The Shepherd Centre's new facility for children with hearing loss was also opened by PM Albanese and Federal Health Minister Mark Butler.
The Government provided $2.4 million so the centre could address the unmet demand in the rapidly growing South West Sydney area.
The Shepherd Centre is expected to support more than 2,500 children with a hearing loss, and their families.
The centre's team-based, early intervention, wrap-around model has meant 100% of the children can attend their local school. JG
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