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What you said: Deaf Education Summit video released

As part of the Deaf Education Summit, Deaf Australia encouraged delegates and presenters to tell us their hopes, frustrations, goals and dreams related to their experiences with the deaf education and early intervention systems.

We were overwhelmed with parents, Deaf community members, Deaf educators and summit participants who wanted to tell their story on camera.
Please watch this video and share it with your colleagues, friends, schools, service providers and whoever else you think needs to know more about the real life experiences of people who use the system.

National Disability Awards – Nominations close soon!

Do you know someone who should be recognised for their outstanding work to improve the lives of people with disability?

Nominations are now open for the 2013 National Disability Awards.
The Awards are held each year as part of the International Day of People with Disability celebrations. They honour and recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals, teams and organisations that have improved the lives of people with disability, and contribute to increased recognition of equality and human rights for all Australians.
There are nine Award categories:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award in Disability
  • Emerging Leaders Award in Disability
  • Excellence in Accessible Communities Award
  • Excellence in Improving Social Participation Award
  • Excellence in Advocacy & Rights Promotion Award
  • Excellence in Improving Employment Opportunities Award
  • Excellence in Improving Personal and Community Support Award
  • Excellence in Improving Education Outcomes Award
  • Excellence in Improving Health Outcomes Award.

Please spread the word among your own networks, and nominate a person or organisation you think has done a great job in improving conditions for Deaf people in Australia.
Nominations close 5PM AEST Friday 28 June 2013. Nominate now!
For more information or assistance, please visit www.idpwd.com.au, email [email protected] or phone 1800 672 682 (TTY users please phone 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 672 682).

Deaf woman sues government for her right to serve on a jury

After being unwillingly excluded from jury duty in 2012, Queensland resident Gaye Lyons has brought a discrimination case against the Queensland government to fight for her right to serve as a juror.

Gaye Lyons Photograph

Plaintiff, Ms Gaye Lyons

“Its the 21st century, times have changed, and people with disabilities need to participate in society more,” said Ms Lyons, Office Administrator at Deafness peak body Deaf Australia, “We have to pay equal taxes yet we are not treated equally and allowed to serve our society.”
Ms Lyons was refused the opportunity for jury selection because she is deaf and needs an Auslan interpreter in the selection process, in court proceedings and in the jury room.
A State Government barrister told the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal that the Jury Act prevented Ms Lyons from effectively serving as a juror.
The State Government claims the Act does not allow an Auslan interpreter – a 13th person – in a jury room when jurors are deliberating, but this is disputed by Ms Lyons’ lawyer Phillip French.
In February last year, Ms Lyons received an email from Ipswich District Court deputy registrar Katrina Britton telling her she was excluded from jury selection under the Act.
Ms Lyons is alleging that this was direct and indirect discrimination.
The tribunal was told no deaf person has ever served on a jury in Australia and interpreters are not allowed in jury rooms anywhere in the country.
However, deaf people have served on juries in the United States and a deaf person has been a juror in a New Zealand tax fraud case.
He said Ms Lyons had been deprived of her opportunity to perform an important civic duty and had been unjustly characterised as incompetent.
“We say she is capable of performing the function of a juror,” Mr French said.
Barrister Kerri Mellifont SC, for the State Government, said the decision to exclude Ms Lyons from jury selection was not based on her impairment.
She said the Jury Act said a person could not do jury service if they could not perform the functions of a juror and Ms Lyons could not do that without an interpreter.
Ms Mellifont said jury deliberations could not be disclosed to anyone other than another juror and that would exclude Auslan interpreters from the jury room.
“Many people are not aware of the strict code of ethics that Auslan Interpreters must abide by,” said Deaf Australia Executive Officer Karen Lloyd, “Interpreters will only interpret what is being said; they will not add or exclude information, offer their own opinions or advice, or discuss what they have heard with anyone.”
“Having an interpreter in the jury room should not compromise the process in any way.”
Professor Jemina Napier also gave evidence via phone from Scotland about a study resulting from mock trials of hearing and deaf jurors.
She said it found deaf people did not seem disadvantaged by having interpreters at court, but more research was needed.

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