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36th Annual General Meeting
Deaf Australia Inc will hold its thirty-sixth (36th) Annual General Meeting on Monday 19th September at 7.00 PM (AEST) online via zoom.
Important notice: The meeting must provide members with a reasonable opportunity to participate, as such, put questions to board members and vote online. To register in advance for the Annual General Meeting: Register email [email protected] After registering your interest, we will check your details against our membership database, and you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the AGM. Important note: Make sure your full name and email address correspond with our database. The AGM will be livestreamed on Facebook for non-members.
Auslan Shop: I sign therefore I am
Transcript
Hello! Exciting news about a new book, now available to buy thought the Auslan Shop website.
This book is written by Juhana Salonen, a Deaf Finnish. Their sign name is 'J' turn right movement.
He wrote this book called 'I sign, Therefore I Am'. Here is a snapshot of the blurb:
is the powerful story of a deaf young man struggling with this identity, and of his growth into a sign language user who is proud of his culture.
Being the deaf child of hearing parents and the only deaf person in my early surroundings: these were the fondations for the identity crisis
I underwent in my youth. The crisis could have had a tragic end, but fortunately in my case it did not. It took years of searching, however,
to finally grow into my identity as a deaf person and to adopt Finnish Sign Language as my mother tongues. I wrote this book to share my life
experiences with members of any linguistic or cultural minority. This highly topical issue in society, as such minorities are increasingly in the limelight.
Many automatically assume that minorities have it bad, and that their member deviate - in a negative sense - from the majority population also in other ways.
This book offers excellent opportunities for seeing the world though a deaf person's eyes and for correcting misguided views. At the same time, it provides compelling evidence of the benefits of deafness and sign language for both the deaf and the population at large.
You can order this book now through our Auslan Shop website! Read this story about Juhana, a special Deaf from Finland. Thank you. Bye for now.
NSW Inquiry: Auslan interpretation for broadcasting
Transcript
This is an important announcement for the NSW Deaf community.
Within the NSW Government there are two chambers, being the Lower House and the Upper House.
The Upper House is called the Legislative Council within Parliament.
There is a proposal which we are submitting for inquiry called ‘Auslan interpretation for broadcasting’.
This proposal calls for, discussion within the Legislative Council, proposals, meetings, announcements, any form discourse, that there must be an Auslan interpreter present.
This proposal is not calling for an interpreter in all other areas of the Government, only discourse within the Legislative Council.
This call for interpreters to be present is to make sure the NSW Deaf community who want to be informed with what is happening within the Government, have access.
Within the proposal there are ‘terms of reference’, which are, the terms or needs specified in the proposal, what they actually look like, the process of implementing and sustaining the terms. This makes sure that the defined terms and criteria are met and not deviated. These are referred to in short as TOR.
The TOR are very clear and concise, they state, the UN Convention on the Human Rights of People with Disabilities must be followed, which includes providing access for all people, Deaf people included.
The inquiry must investigate if an Auslan interpreter can be present in Parliament, and if not then what other options can be made accessible, for example captioning or other methods, to make sure it is accessible for all people. Also, to be investigated is any other factors linked to accessibility within the Legislative Council to ensure full accessibility for the Deaf community.
Deaf Australia is asking the NSW Deaf community to review these submissions, provide comment if you agree or disagree, your ideas, recommendations, changes, anything that can support this notion.
If you would like to support but don’t know how, please contact Deaf Australia and we can support you with advice through the process.
This inquiry will close on the 5th August, which is fast approaching and your submissions will need to come through prior to the 5th August.
Thank you.
Factsheet: Making a submission
(Auslan version)
Terms of Reference (TOR)
(Auslan version)
Template for writing a submission
Send your submission
More information about the inquiry
ACT Inquiry: Access to services and information in Auslan
Visual Description
Shirley is standing in front of a cream coloured wall, she wears a dark blue jumper and her dark brown hair is tied back.
Transcript
Hello everyone!
Deaf Australia is seeking Deaf people who live in ACT.
DeafACT is a small organisation who actively focuses on advocacy, sports and other support services in ACT.
We have been in consultation with together regarding a very important Inquiry that has been established by the ACT Government.
This Inquiry will focus on the accessibility of services and information in Auslan, and further information is available into the specifics of what the Inquiry will involve.
Deaf Australia and DeafACT would like to encourage the community and you as individuals to please make a submission towards the Inquiry advising them of the issues you have experienced.
From your submissions the Inquiry will examine what changes need to be made. Change may be required to a law, improving a system or processes to better the future.
We strongly encourage you all to submit to the Inquiry before the cut off date which is this Friday 15th July.
Deaf Australia is working together with Deaf ACT and in support they have asked us to create a template which is available to download online. This template will help with creating a submission using written English or if you would like to submit an Auslan version, the template will support with the structure of the submission.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact the team at DeafACT who will be able to support you.
Please spread the word to your friends, family, work colleagues, this is a valuable Inquiry for the Deaf community in ACT.
Thank you for supporting this important cause.
Download the template submission
More information about the inqury
Recent Facebook Q&A with DeafACT
Media Release: ALP First Election Promise on Hearhub
Deaf Australia would like to respond to the recent election promise by the Australian Labor Party about funding the digital Hearhub platform run by Shepherd Centre.
Please click the below button to read the media release here, an Auslan version will be available tomorrow.
Regards,
Jen Blyth
Chief Executive
Andrew & Jaycob named winners of Deaf Australia’s awards!
Deaf Australia would like to thank those who nominated individuals for the three awards we were giving to acknowledge and highlight those who’ve worked tirelessly in the Deaf community. It was not an easy decision to make; we know there are many within the community who work hard for the benefit of the community rather than themselves.
We are pleased to announce that the winner for the award Deaf Australian of the Year is Jaycob Campbell.
Jaycob was nominated for his artwork in Rainbow Alley in Melbourne (https://flash-fwd.com/laneway/rainbow-alley), which promotes his artwork and our culture and language by showing handshapes. Thousands of people would have seen Jaycob’s artwork and googled him. This would increase awareness of the Deaf community, culture and language. We applaud Jaycob for his amazing artwork which helps increase pride in our language.
The winner for the award Deaf Community Volunteer of the Year is Andrew Welshe.
Andrew has volunteered with the SES for a very long time, and is very well regarded in his community. The Darwin family nominated Andrew because they appreciated how passionate Andrew was about his role within the SES – and they could see that Andrew was very well regarded within the SES community. We applaud Andrew for his passionate volunteering, and showing the world how Deaf people can volunteer successfully in emergency services.
We are unable to announce the Deaf Australian Youth of the Year 2021 award as there were no nominations in this category.
Congratulations to Jaycob and Andrew!
If you would like to see more information about the awards, please watch the SGM video on Facebook here at 47mins 47 secs.
Auslan Shop Update (1 March 2022)
Transcript
Hello, I have an update from Auslan Shop. There’s unfortunately a problem with deliveries being late in Queensland and the north of NSW for people who’ve ordered things from the Auslan Shop. I apologise for the impact of deliveries; there’s a delay of about five days. Thank you for your patience and understanding over the delays. The delays are from: Brisbane and its regions; Bundaberg; Cairns; Gladstone; Gold Coast and its regions; Lismore; Mackay; Maryborough; Rockhampton; Sunshine Coast; Toowoomba and Townsville. If you’re worried or wondering where’s your delivery, if you’ve been given the tracking number, please follow that tracking number. If you want to find out something or have a question, please contact me and I will answer. Thank you again for your patience and understanding over this situation which is bad luck. I hope those who live in these areas are keeping safe.
Election Campaign Update
Transcript
This week, Deaf Connect and Deaf Australia met with Emma Dawson, Executive Director and Michael D’Rosario, Research Economist from Per Capita
Per Capita have now commenced their research into the status and value of Auslan in Australia; this includes an extensive literature review, and economic and social policy analysis
The aim of the research is to provide an evidence base for our campaign to secure a Government Review into the status and value of Auslan in Australia, which we hope will prompt further action to address several key advocacy issues that were raised during our live stream event.
The first draft of the 10,000-15,000-word report will be received by mid to late March and will undergo a review process undertaken by both Deaf Australia and Deaf Connect. Ensuring we are satisfied with the content and direction of the report, in line with the community feedback collated from our consultation and our sector expertise
Deaf Connect, Deaf Australia and Per Capita will host a webinar for the community to present an overview of the research findings. Time: Sometime in April seems reasonable
Phase two of the campaign will include an advocacy and engagement strategy which will be developed and executed with support from Per Capita ahead of the 2022 federal election.When: April onwards
Further information about our advocacy and engagement strategy, including timelines, marketing collateral and ways to get involved, will soon follow over the coming weeks once Per Capita’s research report has been completed
Vale Barry Priori
Transcript
Hello, my name is Debra Swann, I am the President of Deaf Australia. We are extremely saddened to share the passing of one of our members, Barry Priori.
Barry was a member of Deaf Australia for numerous years and served on the Board around the year of 1995 when we were known as AAD prior to the change of our name to Deaf Australia. He also served on the board of SAAD, the South Australian branch of Deaf Australia.
Barry was one of the founders of Sign Language Australia, a business providing support to the South Australian Deaf community through Auslan classes and interpreting booking services.
Barry had a strong belief that Auslan and Deaf culture belonged to the Deaf community and that the acknowledgement of this was very important in our work. Through his work with Auslan and teaching the language, Barry touched the lives of so many people on the journey of learning Auslan.
Barry was involved in the production of a 30 minutes documentary film, “The Silent World of Barry Priori: Signing not waving”. This film documents the important journey of his life in a Deaf world from the 1950’s to present day.
On behalf of the board, staff and members, we express our sincere condolences to Barry’s family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with you all.
DEAF ECOSYSTEM WEBINAR PROMO: Deaf History & Cultural Recognition Program with Breda & Darlene
Transcript
Hello. I'm Breda Carty. I work on a special project with Deaf Connect.
Hello. I'm Darlene Thornton. I work with Deaf Australia.
We will have a webinar soon, about what we both are working on.
Webinar will be about Deaf Connect has set up Deaf History and Cultural Recognition Program.
Why we set up and what's involved in that program.
The special focus on plan to set up national repository or website for Australia Deaf history.
We are really excited to work on that new special project for all of us. We are keen to work with other organisations and the Deaf community all over Australia.
Please do join us for this webinar, and we will explain our vision.