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Category: Archives
Deaf Australia in 2017
Deaf Australia wish to share with you our ‘end of year’ report with highlights.
Most of you may be aware that Deaf Australia has been operating at a very minimal capacity in the last couple of years. Much of the time in 2017 has been focusing on reviewing the organisation’s capacity and to undertake strategies that will strengthen Deaf Australia in 2018 and beyond.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has contributed many challenges and opportunities across the disability sector and for Deaf Australia to position itself as a prominent voice of the deaf community. We have participated in many meetings with the NDIS and wrote a submission to the NDIS’s Productivity Commission on NDIS Costings – highlighting many discrepancies with interpreting costing (e.g. travel, qualifications) and need to access Auslan for family with newly diagnosed child who are deaf.
NDIS’s Information, Linkage and Capacity (ILC) has offered plenty of opportunities for Deaf Australia and others to undertake capacity building activities throughout the year. We have conducted a Member Survey 2017 through cooperation with Australian Federation of Disability Organisations to find out what members thinks and wants from Deaf Australia in going forward. The results were not surprising for Deaf Australia and strengthen our resolves to explore in how we can better meet deaf and hard of hearing people’s needs.
The National Disability Strategy (2010-20) has also been reviewed by the Commonwealth Government. Deaf Australia has written a comprehensive submission to the Government and attended to a public hearing with the Commonwealth’s Parliament. Deaf Australia believed that the National Disability Strategy has poor delivery record for deaf and hard of hearing people due to lack of effective policy changes and strategies from the government. A final report has been released and it contained 17 references from Deaf Australia.
One of the key recommendations from Deaf Australia is that Auslan to be legally recognised as a language for Deaf people to use it.
Deaf Australia also put in a comprehensive written submission into Hearing Health and Wellbeing advising the Parliamentary Committee that access to Auslan must be achieved for every deaf/ hard of hearing person so that their wellbeing can be improved. We also attended to public hearing with the Parliamentary Committee.
Auslan curriculum for primary and secondary schools are now being provided in several schools throughout Australia as Language other than English (LOTE) program. Deaf Australia is proud to see this program being implemented after many years of advocating the Commonwealth Government to develop this curriculum.
Auslan Training Package for TAFE has also been reviewed this year. The Australian Industry and Skills Committee has recently approved the training package which will be taught under Public Sector stream. It is with disappointment that the Committee have rejected that the Auslan Assessors must be deaf and to have Auslan as the primary language. We will continue promote that Auslan Assessors must be deaf.
The National Relay Service (NRS) is currently being under review for new funding contract from 1 July 2018. It is not clear what Commonwealth Government is planning for the NRS but we believe that the NRS will continue but is uncertain whether or not if there will be improved access to Video Relay Service (VRS) nor if there will be additional fund to ensure NRS operates at full capacity.
Deaf Australia has attended to a number of reference groups to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people can access range of support and services. Australian Electoral Commission, Australian Banking Associations, National Relay Service, National Disability Insurance Agency, Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association, and more.
All the activities are about ensuring that deaf and hard of hearing Australians are equal members of the Australian society, which reflect our vision – making an Inclusive Australia for deaf people.
Deaf Australia has our 31st Annual General Meeting on 28 October in Sydney. It was a small meeting; however, a quorum was sufficient for the AGM to proceed as usual. Western Australian Association of the Deaf proposed that Deaf Australia to develop an Accessible Social Media Policy which we will undertake and propose to Members at the next AGM to be held in Canberra ACT.
Deaf Australia Board
- Todd Wright (NSW) – Chairperson/ Treasurer
- Debbie Kennewell (SA)
- Adrian Doyle (Vic)
The board plays a vital role in ensuring that our focus and activities are aligning to the member’s wishes and aspirations. We work closely with Deaf Youth Australia (DYA) to support deaf youth activities and they successfully hosted the World Federation of the Deaf’s Youth Junior Camp in Phillip Island. Deaf Australia commends DYA on their outstanding work.
Deaf Youth Australia Board
- Shirley Liu (Vic) – President
- Vanessa Alford (WA) – Treasurer
- Annabel Beasley (Vic) – Secretary
- Tahlia Barry (Vic)
- Joshua Doe (NSW)
It is with sadness that our longest serving board member of Deaf Australia (formerly known as Australian Association of the Deaf) has passed away so suddenly. Mrs Ann Darwin has served Deaf Australia for 21 years and was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in 2006 for dedication to Deaf Australia over the years. Our thoughts are with Mr Barry Darwin and his family.
Going into 2018, Deaf Australia are now able to represent the community in a formal capacity after regaining the funding we have lost in 2014. We are currently waiting for more details of the fund; however, we will continue seek for opportunities for Deaf Australia to represent deaf and hard of hearing people throughout Australia.
Deaf Australia wish to express appreciation and thanks to individuals and organisations in working together to address challenges and issues. We look forward in continuing this relationship in 2018.
As 2017 is closing, we thank you for your ongoing support It is important that your issues are being heard and we work with you to make sure that issues can be resolved for you and other deaf Australians. We look forward in continuing working with you in 2018 and beyond.
Have a Happy Holidays and a safe New Year.
Kyle Miers
CEO – Deaf Australia
**Media Release** International Day of Sign Language formally adopted by UN and announcement of National Week of Deaf People 2018
Deaf Australia wishes to congratulate the United Nations in adopting the resolution for the International Day of Sign Languages today at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly.
International Day of Sign Languages will be held on 23 September annually.
The World Federation of the Deaf, which Deaf Australia is a National Member, have sought support from Antigua and Barbuda who proposed this resolution. The resolution was co-sponsored by 97 United Nations Members States (including Australia) and adopted by consensus.
Why International Day of Sign Languages?
The aim of International Day of Sign Languages is to raise greater awareness and recognition of sign languages, and that early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education, is vital to the growth and development of deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals.
Why 23 September?
This is the date that commemorate the establishment of World Federation of the Deaf in 1951, which has as one of main goals, the preservation of sign languages and deaf culture as pre-requisites to the realisation of the human rights of deaf people.
What is Australia’s Sign Language?
The sign language of Australia is known as Auslan (Australian Sign Language). Auslan has been recognised by the Federal Government as a community language of Australia in 1991.
How can Australia be Involved?
The National Week of Deaf People (NWDP) is hosted by Deaf Australia and provides many organisations, schools and others the opportunity to raise awareness of deaf people and Auslan. Traditionally, we host this event during October, however in recognition of the establishment of the International Day of Sign Languages, the NWDP will be moved to coincide with the International Day of Sign Languages.
When is the next National Week of Deaf People?
National Week of Deaf People will be on 23 – 29 September 2018. In the following years Deaf Australia hopes to align the National Week of Deaf People with the International Week of Deaf hosted by the World Federation of the Deaf, traditionally held during the last week of September.
What activity can be held during the National Week of Deaf People?
State organisations and other community organisations, clubs, schools and others host a wide range of activities through the week including workshops and lessons where people can learn Auslan, other workshops and presentations about deaf people and their community, community festivals, fundraising activities, and many more.
To find out more about these activities, please check for registered activities on Deaf Australia’s website.
If an organisation wishes to provide activities through the week and to promote to the deaf community, you can register the event on Deaf Australia’s website.
Deaf Australia will be working with the government, business and organisations to help promote the National Week of Deaf People and the International Day of Sign Languages.
Please view here to see Auslan Translation of Media Release.
References:
United Nations’ Resolution: A/C.3/72/L.36/Rev.1
World Federation of the Deaf Press Release: Press Release
National Week of Deaf People: www.deafaustralia.org.au/NWDP
Sign On For Literacy Competition now open
All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) launched the Sign On For Literacy on 8 November 2017 in Budapest, Hungary during the 3rd International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf.
The Sign On For Literacy competition is organised by All Children Reading partnered with USAID, World Vision and the Australian Government, in collaboration with the WFD, Nyle DiMarco Foundation and Deaf Child Worldwide. This competition seeks technology-based innovations to increase access to sign languages and literacy interventions for deaf children. These innovations will assist parents, educators, communities, and governments in enhancing early childhood development outcomes, improving access to local sign languages, and increasing literacy outcomes of deaf children.
The competition criteria can be found on the All Children Reading website
The submission deadline is 16 February, 2018.
*Media Release* Announcement of Marriage Equality Ballot results on Broadcast Television
Deaf Australia wishes to congratulate the Yes campaign for Marriage Equality for its successful campaign of the for the same-sex marriage survey.
This is one of the most important and historic announcements to the members of the Australian communities, yet, Deaf Australia is expressing extreme disappointments with several broadcasters in failing to include Auslan interpreter throughout this important announcement.
It is understood that the media was briefed to include Auslan (Australian Sign Language) interpreters prior to the announcement. However, the following networks, Seven, Nine and Ten had failed to include Auslan interpreter throughout the special announcement.
‘Deaf Australia believe this is a deliberate and disrespectful act in excluding specific members of the Australian community’, said Kyle Miers, Chief Executive of Deaf Australia.
“I’m aware that many deaf Australians were looking forward to watch this special announcement, especially as it related to equality in Australia – a topic that is very close to our hearts’, said Todd Wright, Chairperson of Deaf Australia, ‘to experience further discrimination and exclusion through the announcement is extremely disappointing and inexcusable’.
This, unfortunately, is not the first occurrence, as in several past broadcasts of public announcements, in particularly, emergency and special government announcements, the Auslan interpreter was excluded in the shot.
Deaf Australia wishes to congratulate the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) who included Auslan interpreter in their entire broadcast of this announcement.
‘It is an example that Seven, Nine and Ten need to follow’, said Mr Miers.
We have sent letters to Seven, Nine and Ten requesting them to mandate inclusion of Auslan interpreters in all their future broadcasts and to issue public apology to Deaf community for excluding Auslan interpreters while broadcasting recent announcement.
Marriage Equality Postal Ballot – Community Information
This is a community information video about the upcoming Marriage Equality Postal Ballot.
Marriage Equality means that civil marriage would be available without discrimination to all couples regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Australian Government wants to know if you support Marriage Equality or not.
Community Updates: Jury Act (South Australia)
Deaf Australia acknowledges that the issue of Deaf Jury Rights has been quiet lately, but it does not mean that Deaf Australia is not doing anything about it.
Amending the current Jury Act in various states and territories is not an easy task, because it requires separate discussions with each state and territory government to amend its Jury Act to allow deaf people to serve as a member of jury.
Deaf Australia wishes to advise members of the deaf community of current developments in South Australia, led by The Hon Kelly Vincent MLC (member of Diversity Party), who is proposing a draft amendment bill to the Jury Act to include provisioning of Auslan interpreting to enable deaf people to serve as a juror.
Deaf Australia has reviewed draft amendment bill and is pleased to see that action is being considered. Deaf Australia advised The Hon Kelly Vincent that the amendment bill needs to be clarified to ensure that ‘professional’ interpreters registered with National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) be included to ensure that justice is provided with the highest standards, because the current draft does not specify this requirement.
Deaf Australia urges the South Australian deaf community to express support to MLC Kelly Vincent’s proposed draft amendment bill to Jury Act by sending her an email. MLC Kelly Vincent’s email address is [email protected].
Captioning on Broadcast Programs – an update.
Deaf Australia wishes to share with you an update on captioning of broadcast programs.
The current legislation, “Broadcasting Services Act,” requires broadcasters to caption a targeted number of hours of free-to-air and subscription programs that are broadcasted through its network each day. It does not include internet programs.
Within the Broadcasting Service Act, it has an exemption or target reduction clause for broadcasters to request caption exemptions or target reductions with the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) for considerations.
ACMA is responsible organisation that governs and regulates the communication services, including television, radio, internet and telecommunications.
Between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2016, a total of 279 requests for caption exemption or target reduction has been sought by broadcasters and only 38 requests have been declined. This represents about 85% of the requests being approved by ACMA – this is a significant concern for Deaf Australia as these exemptions do not take on board caption users’ rights and protections.
The Hon. Senator Mitch Fifield has recently announced the Broadcasting Licencing Fee Reform that will save broadcasters over 70 million dollars. These savings will encourage broadcasters to invest into niche groups, such as women’s sports, community programs and more. However, not one dollar of the savings will be invested into improve accessibility to program contents.
Deaf Australia wrote letters to relevant ministers across all parties raising these concerns because these actions do not reflect the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 which calls for all broadcast programs to be fully captioned.
Senator Rachael Siewert (Green Party) contacted Deaf Australia to seek and receive advice on the wording of Senator’s Siewert’s amendment to the Broadcasting Reform Bill (2017) to ensure that provisioning of captioning services on all broadcast programs aligns with the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020. We will also be discussing this issue with Senator Carol Brown (Labor Party) to address the Broadcasting Reform Bill.
Deaf Australia believes it is important that the Deaf Community is aware of these activities so that your interests and needs are addressed at the highest level and that everyone has full access to information.
Thank you.
Please note: Deaf Australia will continue advocate for inclusion of Auslan content on television programs.
Deaf Australia Ambassador
About Deaf Australia’s Ambassador Program.
Our Ambassador program exists to represent the interests of Deaf Australia to the wider community through increasing awareness about our work in the deaf community and to help raise funds.
The key focus of the Ambassador role is to:
- Promote and raise awareness of Auslan
- Raise awareness of Deaf Australia and its position
- Championing the cause of Deaf Australia
- Challenging myths and perceptions.
Ambassadors will champion the cause and often challenge opinions and perceptions whilst demonstrating loyalty and commitment to Deaf Australia’s mission and values.
Representation:
Deaf Australia does not have a specific number of vacancies for the role of Ambassador. The board of Deaf Australia determines the appointment of Ambassadors who will represent Deaf Australia to communicate policies, objectives and goals of Deaf Australia and meet with individuals, organisations and/ or government on behalf of Deaf Australia.
Promotion:
Ambassadors will be in a position to help promote Deaf Australia’s mission and values and utilise ways to raise our profile, awareness or causes through campaigns or fund-raising.
Policy:
Ambassadors communicate policy positions and promote inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing people in alignment with the National Disability Strategy and the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and demonstrate commitment to Deaf Australia’s mission and values and assist to protect the interests of Deaf Australia and its constituents.
Deaf Australia’s Ambassadors:
- Drisana Levitzke-Gray – Deaf youth
*Media Release* National deaf and disability peak bodies dissatisfied with Turnbull government announcement on the National Relay Service
On 23 June 2017, the Government announced its commitment to ensure the sustainability of the National Relay Service (NRS).
The National Relay Service is an essential service for deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and speech impaired citizens. It provides near equivalent communication services for those who cannot use standard telephone services.
The commitment to the future of the NRS is welcomed by a consumer coalition of deaf and disability organisations, which includes Deaf Australia, Deafness Forum Australia, Deafblind Australia and Communications Rights Australia and their supporting organisations (listed at the end of the media release).
However, the consumer coalition does not support the Government’s plan for the next NRS contract arrangements. The coalition is very concerned that growing demand for NRS services in the last three years has impacted on the quality of the service and on the delivery of community outreach training programs. We are also concerned that the proposed capped funding may curtail or limit the services offered.
“The introduction of video relay, SMS relay, two-way internet relay and the NRS app in 2013 has seen large increases in NRS usage,” said Deaf Australia CEO, Kyle Miers. “Australia’s relay service is a worlds- best service which we should be proud of. However, due to a funding cap in the current contract, the community training program (Outreach Program) has been significantly reduced to meet the growing demands of the NRS.”
“This means future potential users of the NRS will not be given training on how to use the service effectively. This may impact a person’s ability to be independent. Online outreach is not an effective training strategy, particularly for people who are deafblind or speech impaired.”
Prior to the current NRS contract, the funding of the NRS was based on user-needs rather than a capped service plan. The capped plan places significant stress on the current delivery of the NRS and does not allow for Video Relay to function as a 24/7 service.
“The NRS should be funded on a user-need model and funding should not be capped at the 2012 level of $20 million per year (excluding GST),” added Mr Miers.
The government also intends to have NRS users register to use the service.
“We are concerned that this requirement will impose unnecessary and undue hardship for individual due to the diminished capacity of the Outreach Program,” said Mr Miers. “The NRS is an essential service and imposing such requirements will create an environment of vulnerability for NRS users.”
“The government has not listened to the strong and consistent community response to the 2016 consultation on the NRS. It has not implemented or even discussed with us the critical initiatives recommended.”
Our coalition of NRS users calls on the government to:
- Implement a user-based contract for the NRS;
- Mandate that all component of the relay service, including Video Relay, operates on a 24/7, 365 days a year basis;
- Reinstate and increase funding for the Outreach Program so that every target group are adequately supported; and
- Reconsider the registration requirement for NRS users until a more thorough consultation with NRS stakeholders is completed.
We have written to the Minister sharing our position on the NRS and we seek an urgent meeting and fair consultation to discuss the future of the NRS.
You can find a copy of the coalition’s position paper at https://deafaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Coalition-Position-Paper.pdf
Supporting Organisations:
- Australian Consumer Communications Action Network
- Australian Sign Language Interpreter Association
- Australian Federation of Deaf Societies
- Conexu Foundation
- National Seniors
ACMA prepares draft exemptions and target reduction for Fetch TV
Australian Communication and Media Authority are seeking Deaf Australia’s response to ACMA’s draft exemption and target reduction for Fetch TV.
For the following channels:
- Baby TV
- Bloomberg
- CNBC Asia Pacific
- CGTN (formerly CCTV News)
- France 24 (English)
- Euronews
- NDTC 24×7
- HGTV
- Australian Christian Channel
- Travel Channel
- Food Network
- Nat Geo Wild (reduce target)
Deaf Australia will not support any exemption or reduction of captioned programs on all broadcast programs (including subscription and free-to air networks) so deaf and hard of hearing people can have access to fewer captioned programs.
Here is what you can do…
Below are two templates you can copy, paste and then email to [email protected] or click the link below each template to automatically generate the email in your email program. Don’t forget to include your name at the end of the email!
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Template 1: Fetch TV subscribers (who pay a monthly subscription)
Dear ACMA Captioning
I am deaf/hard of hearing and I enjoy watching television programs that are captioned. Captioning is vital for me to be able to access information and entertainment.
The proposed draft exemption and target reductions for FetchTV will mean I will get fewer captioned programs and my access to information and entertainment will be reduced.
As a subscriber to your service, I pay the same amount as other subscribers yet under the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for Fetch TV I will have access to less content. I believe that this is unfair and inequitable.
ACMA, we ask that you do not approve the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for FetchTV meaning less access to captioned programs.
We must move forward to make programs more accessible, not less.
Regards,
(your name)
Click here to automatically generate this email in your email program
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Template 2: Non subscribers (people who do not currently have Fetch TV)
Dear ACMA Captioning,
I am deaf/hard of hearing and I enjoy watching television programs that are captioned. Captioning is vital for me to be able to access information and entertainment.
I am considering subscribing to Fetch TV but will not do so as, under the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for Fetch TV I will pay the same amount as other subscribers but will have access to less content. I believe that this is unfair and inequitable.
ACMA, we ask that you do not approve the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for FetchTV meaning less access to captioned programs.
We must move forward to make programs more accessible, not less.
Regards,
(your name)
Click here to automatically create this email in your email program