Deaf people are the silent losers in the recently announced 2014/2015 federal budget, with the news that the position of Disability Discrimination Commissioner will be abolished when current Commissioner Graeme Innes steps down in July.

Deaf Australia has serious reservations about the proposal to privatise Australian Hearing in the Abbott Government’s Budget announcement this week.
Privatising Australian Hearing creates potential for unregulated services for families who have deaf children: creating unnecessary difficulty and stress.

Read more of Deaf Australia’s concerns and how this could impact you here.

Deaf Australia’s new CEO has just started work. See more information here about his plans for the future of Deaf Australia and tell us what issues you think we should be focussing on over the next few years by filling out our survey.

Deaf Australia is disappointed that Australia will not be represented on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) with no nominations being provided by the Department of Foreign affairs. Read more about Deaf Australia’s response.

Are you a self employed and currently access (or are considering applying for) funding through the Employee Assistance Fund (EAF)?

Then you’ll need to know about some important changes that will affect you.

Deaf Youth Australia invite Deaf or hard of hearing artists/designers aged 13 to 30 years, to submit original designs to be considered to be the logo of this newly formed organisation.

The national peak body for deafness issues, Deaf Australia, spoke out today against the biased reporting in Channel 7’s 30 minute long advertisement for the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, aired as part of its Sunday Night program on 23 March 2014.

Read the full media release. Auslan video included.

Deaf Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Kyle Miers to the role of Deaf Australia Chief Executive Officer. Mr Miers takes on this position after the incumbent Executive Officer, Ms Karen Lloyd AM, retired in February.
“I’m honoured to accept this position,” said Mr Miers, “and I will be proud to build on past Deaf Australia successes to keep the deaf community a strong one and advance the rights of deaf people Australia-wide.”

Read outgoing Executive Officer, Karen Lloyd’s final activity report for the months of January and February 2014.

We wish Karen all the best as she enters retirement.

Deaf Australia is setting up a new Early Intervention and Education Working Group.
The Working Group will include representatives of organisations in the early intervention and education fields, and two individual independent community representatives – one deaf person and one parent of a deaf child. Read more about the working group, who should consider registering and how to register …