Leading Australian teacher of the deaf, Trudy Smith, has been appointed to the Board of the internationally renowned AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language, in Washington DC.

The Academy is an independent subsidiary of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the global accrediting body for certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialists (LSLS) in early intervention or education.

Academy Board Chair, Jenna Voss, says she nominated Trudy “because I knew her unique expertise would be an incredible asset”.

Trudy, Manager of Continuing Professional Education at the NextSense Institute in Sydney and adjunct lecturer at Macquarie University, says her appointment was further recognition of the international standing of the NextSense Institute and the skills and knowledge of its people.

NextSense Institute provides high-quality continuing professional education for education and health professionals who support people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision.

“It's an honour, and lovely recognition of the work that I've done in this field over the last 25-plus years,” she says.

Trudy has provided training, mentoring, coaching and support to education and health professionals working with children and families with hearing loss in over 25 countries, including several years as the advisory visiting teacher across much of outback north-west Queensland.

“I've been lucky enough to work here in Australia and around the world, coaching and guiding teachers, therapists and families. This has provided an insight into the cultural and global differences in access to early intervention hearing devices and parental support,” Trudy says.

“In my role on the AG Bell Academy board, I will be sharing the Australian perspective, particularly promoting recognition of what we mean by early screening, diagnosis, fitting with devices, and entry into early intervention.

“Here in Australia, we benefit from a world-leading newborn hearing screening pathway, and I will be bringing that perspective to my discussions.”

Dr Voss says Trudy’s Australian perspective and broad global network will be invaluable as the Academy works to expand the LSLS certification globally.

“Trudy’s lived experience and extensive research on teachers of the deaf gives her a deep understanding of the needs of future applicants and will be a tremendous asset to the Board,” Dr Voss says.

“I am confident she will bring so much to the Academy's mission, and I can't wait to see all that the Board accomplishes with her service.”

NextSense Institute Director, Greg Leigh, says Trudy’s appointment strengthens her ability to contribute to developing professional excellence, “particularly in Family Centred Early Intervention, with the aim of providing equitable access for children and their families worldwide”.

“The role complements Trudy’s existing position on the AG Bell Global Matters Committee and Professional Council and reflects her ongoing commitment to supporting families and professionals here in Australia and around the world,” Prof Leigh says.

“The AG Bell Academy values lifelong learning and professional excellence, which aligns with NextSense’s mission.”

Trudy describes Family Centered Early intervention as a structure that centres families in all aspects of their child’s development.

“It’s about ensuring informed parent choice,” she explains.

“We're ensuring parents are provided with accessible and non-biased information to support decision making for their child.

“Quality family centred early intervention prioritises an equal partnership between families and early intervention providers, building on the strengths of parents and ensuring that families are the natural language teachers for their children.

Trudy is a past Chairperson of the National Association of Australian Teachers of the Deaf and Immediate Past President of the Educators of Deaf Students Association NSW.