The National Transport Commission has recently released new ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive’ Standards for commercial and private vehicle drivers which will take effect on 1 October 2016.
The new standards take on board the deaf and hard of hearing driver’s competency, alertness, and use of alternative technology devices such as GPS, alert systems and so on.
Under current standards, all commercial drivers who have more than 40db hearing loss are required to wear hearing aids. Failure to wear hearing aids resulted in licences being revoked, not be renewed, or be reclassified to lesser capacity, and in some cases, fined.

The NAC2016 Organising Committee is pleased to announce two international Keynote Speakers for the National Auslan Conference 2016.

Dr Jules Dickinson

Jules is a practitioner-researcher, BSL/English interpreter and Professional Supervisor. Her PhD, ‘Interpreting in a Community of Practice: A Sociolinguistic Study of the Signed Language Interpreter’s Role in Workplace Discourse’, looks at the role of the interpreter in workplace settings, and explores the ways in which interpreters affect the dynamics between Deaf and hearing employees. She is particularly interested in how Deaf professionals and interpreters can work together.
With this is mind she is keen to see a collaborative approach to interpreting in workplace settings, actively involving and engaging both Deaf and hearing employees in the interpreting process.
Jules’ research draws heavily on the experience of interpreters funded by the “Access to Work” program in the UK, but parallels can be drawn with the EAF and NDIS in Australia.[spacer height=”20px”]

Mr Shane Feldman

Shane is Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development at the Communication Service for the Deaf, an organization committed to creating innovative technology and services that aim to transform the Deaf community’s experience with their access to communication.  He served as the Executive Director of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and Chief Operating Officer at the National Association of the Deaf, organisation that represent the interpreter and Deaf communities in the United States.
His role as an advocate on behalf of the Deaf and Interpreter communities provided him with a unique insight into the systemic challenges that prevent a strong partnership among stakeholders in the interpreter experience.
Shane will illustrate a vision of the future where ingenious laws, technology, and services transcend the status quo. These changes will position a Deaf person to develop meaningful and rich relationships with the people and organizations in their lives. He will describe how we can make the choices that bring us together to shape the future that we want to build.
Shane believes that Australia has a unique opportunity to make incredible advances in Deaf Australian human rights where our country can become a model for other countries around the world to emulate in their quest to uphold their commitment to their Deaf citizens.
Please welcome Jules and Shane to the National Auslan Conference 2016.
[content_box style=”green-2″ title=”A gentle reminder”] Early bird registration closes on 30 April 2016. $500.00 for non-members and $450.00 for members (of Deaf Australia or ASLIA). After 30 April, the registration will be the Standard fee – $550 for non-members and $500 for members. Click here to register now!
Call for Papers has been extended to close on 6 MAY 2016. Click here for more information.
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(Consultation paper of National Relay Service)

Auslan Video courtesy of Conexu Foundation

The National Relay Service (NRS) has been an integral part of deaf/ hard of hearing people and people who have speech difficulties in providing communication access through telecommunication since it was established in 1995, lobbied by then Australian Association of the Deaf.

The NRS is funded through a levy that is collected from telecommunication providers each year.
There is a growing demand with the NRS in the last 3 years due to improved and better access to the NRS using various technologies and the Commonwealth Government is looking for ways to keep the NRS sustainable in current contract and beyond 2016.
The Commonwealth Government is providing the community the opportunity to discuss various options to sustain the NRS. If there are other options, we would be pleased to hear from you.
There are eight (8) options that is on the table for considerations:

1. Increase the funding allocation available for the NRS to enable more people to sue the service with telecommunication providers covering the extra cost;
2. Introduce measures to manage demand for NRS services;
3. Introduce more specific requirements to support access to the NRS, including greater enforcement of fair use policies such as a registration process;
4. Refocus the existing NRS outreach program to those people who have difficulty accessing the NRS;
5. Review range of mainstream service options and technologies available to help sustain the delivery of the NRS in the future;
6. Remove or change specific telecommunication regulations in place for disability equipment program due to communication technology changes (eg; reduced use of TTY);
7. Encourage development of more equitable and affordable data-rich plans by retail service providers; and
8. Encourage initiatives to enable people NRS users to learn about digital literacy and the availability of mainstreamed text- and video-based communication options.

Questions such as:

• Should any part of NRS be capped? E.g. limiting the calls to set minutes or reducing the operating hours.
• Phasing out TTY? What should be replaced?
• Should NRS require registration process to determine use of the NRS?
• Should the NRS Outreach program be refocused?
• Can more affordable data-rich plans be developed to allow use of NRS with mobile phone/ smart phones?
• Are there other innovation that can be used that will be better than current NRS?

More questions are available on page 20 of the Consultation Papers. https://www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/communications-accessibility-2016-and-beyond
Deaf Australia clearly do not support (option 2). It means that some services may be limited or measures introduced (or ‘capping’) on how many calls can be made.  If demand to use a capped service was greater than allowed for, there may be an impact on quality of service delivery over the course of each day. There is also limiting the hours of the service. Video Relay Service (VRS) is an example of a limited service as the service is only available between 7am – 6pm AEST – Monday to Friday.
Department of Communications and the Arts is currently developing Auslan translation of the consultation and should be available on Friday 15 April at the earliest.
This is an important process for the community to have a say in the future of the National Relay Service. We would be pleased if you can email Deaf Australia your concerns, ideas or thoughts at [email protected], or email directly to [email protected] or write to The Manager, Communication Accessibility, PO Box 13310, Law Court, Melbourne VIC 8010.
Submission closes 6 May 2016. Deaf Australia is seeking extension of time to allow us to collect your views.

An update from NAC2016 Organising Committee.

The Organising Committee is working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the 2016 conference. We are close to confirming two exciting Keynote Speakers and will be making this announcement shortly.
We are pleased to advise you of the following activities that will enable a successful conference event.

Call for Papers:

The NAC2016 Organising Committee is seeking presentations directly linked to our conference theme, ‘A New Era’. Papers submitted should address development in the Deaf community and in the interpreting fields. Topics that pertain to the future landscape of the deafness sector will be viewed favourably.
Key Dates:
*   29 April 2016 – Abstract Submission Due
*   15 May 2016 – Letter advising outcomes
*   27 May 2016 – Acceptance of an Offer Due
*   30 Sept 2016 – Submit full paper and power-point presentation electronically.
To download more information about ‘Call for Papers’, please go to: http://nac2016.org.au/call-for-papers/

Conference Registration:

Conference Registration is now open.
Register now to receive the Early Bird Special Conference Package rate. The conference package includes attendance at the Opening welcome event, 2 day conference schedule and the Gala evening.

Discounted rates are offered to Deaf Australia members and ASLIA Members as follows:

Early Bird Registrations (until 30th April 2016)
Early Bird Ordinary Full Registration – $500
Early Bird Deaf Australia or ASLIA Member Registration –$ 450
Standard Registrations (1st May to 31st August 2016)
Standard Full Registration – $550
Standard Deaf Australia or ASLIA Member Full Registration –$500
Late Registrations (from 1 September 2016)
Late Registrations – $600
Late Registration – Deaf Australia or ASLIA Member $550
Registration for individual sessions and events is available, no discounted rates for members of ASLIA or Deaf Australia if purchasing individual sessions.
Register today on http://nac2016.org.au/register/
Please note: if you require accommodation, please refer to the ‘Accommodation’ section below.

Sponsorship:

NAC2016 is offering the opportunity for organisations and businesses to sponsor the National Auslan Conference 2016. There are several levels of sponsorship options available as well as exclusive packages.
NAC2016 offers a ‘Sponsor Prospectus’ for organisations and businesses. Please visit http://nac2016.org.au/sponsor-prospectus/ for additional information.

Accommodation:

Pullman Melbourne on the Park
192 Wellington Parade
East Melbourne Vic 3002
www.pullmanmelbourneonthepark.com.au
To make a reservation, contact directly via phone +61 (3) 9419 2000 or by email: [mailto][email protected][/mailto] Please quote: National Auslan Conference.
Hotel note: All rooms will be subjected to hotel availability and credit card details will be required at the time of booking to secure a room.
There are several other accommodation options within walking distance of the conference venue in East Melbourne.

Deaf Australia wishes to express gratitude and appreciation of the contribution to the deaf Victorian community from Ms Melissa Lowrie, as she departs her current role in Deaf Victoria.

Ms Lowrie has worked as the Advocacy Manager at Deaf Victoria for the last 5 and half years, and during that time has made significant contributions to key issues including interpreting in public hospitals, commercial drivers licenses (truck drivers) and access to mental health support for deaf people.
‘Advocacy is never an easy task, and being able to achieve such key outcomes for deaf Victorians are to be highly commended’, said Todd Wright, Chairman of Deaf Australia. ‘Melissa’s advocacy experience will be a valuable asset in her new role in the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit.  We wish her all the best with her new role’.
Deaf Victoria is currently advertising the manager position.
Image courtesy of <a href=”http:deafvictoria.org.au”>Deaf Victoria</a>

Application for Special Leave to Appeal to the High Court for Ms Gaye Lyons’ case against State of Queensland has been successful.

 

From left to right: Mark Patrick (DDLS NSW), Kyle Miers (CEO Deaf Australia), Ben Fogarty (Barrister), Ms Gaye Lyon, Ms. Kylie Nomchong (Barrister), Kathryn O’Brien (Porta Lawyers). Photo courtesy Kyle Miers.
Ms. Lyons alleges that she has been discriminated by State of Queensland by the refusal to provide her with an Auslan interpreter so that she can perform her civic duty as a juror.  She continues to challenge the Queensland Court of Appeal’s decision that there was no discrimination by that conduct.
Justice Susan Mary Kiefel AC, and Justice Geoffrey Nettle who presided the proceeding asked the Solicitor General of Queensland, Mr Dunning QC, who represents the State of Queensland if Ms Lyons would be able to perform the role of a juror effectively if an Auslan interpreter was provided, the Solicitor-General replied with a ‘Yes’.
Barristers Ms. Kylie Nomchong SC and Mr. Ben Fogarty who represented Ms Lyons, believed this is a case of human rights obligations not being met and a clear breach of the discrimination legislation.
‘This is of critical importance to Ms Lyons who is deaf and wants to actively participate in our community by being able to be considered for jury service’ says Ms Nomchong, ‘however, it clearly has wider ramifications ……to apply to all persons with disabilities’.
‘It is not about me’, says Ms Lyons, ‘it is the principle of justice and equality for every citizen of Australia and deaf people should not be treated any differently’.
Mr Kyle Miers, Chief Executive of Deaf Australia, who attended the hearing said it is a significant step forward in recognising that deaf people can do anything, but we’re only one step away from removing that discrimination in Queensland and may have wider implication to all states and territories that currently practice in excluding deaf people from doing their civic duties.
Ms Lyons’ case will be heard in Australian High Court in Canberra.

Australia mourns the passing today of Stan Batson, a volunteer and community leader who gave more than 60 years of conspicuous service to the Deaf community and the hard of hearing sector at large.

Mr Batson was born profoundly deaf. He recalled that in his formative years, Deaf culture and history were not talked about.
“Sign languages were not widely recognised as proper languages with their own grammar and syntax. We weren’t supposed to sign at school. Sometimes, we were slapped when we signed”, Mr Batson had recalled.
“Later, I thought Where are my rights to use my language? I want to instill pride in Deaf culture.”
Kyle Miers, chief executive of Deaf Australia said “It’s very sad to hear of Stan’s passing. His advocacy for Auslan and the history of the Deaf community should be celebrated.”
Mr Batson held leadership roles in various organisations serving the deafness community, both in his home state of Victoria and in a national setting.
He was the first Deaf and Auslan-user chair of Deafness Forum of Australia.
The current chair of Deafness Forum David Brady said he was a symbol for the volunteer spirit.
“Stan was a great supporter and always encouraged me and others to make a difference”, David Brady said.
Alex Jones, a past chair of Deafness Forum remembers him as “an incredible and funny guy. He has been a great ally to the Forum and the community. It saddens us to lose such a good value person. Vale Stan Batson.”
Stan Batson’s motto was “To your own self you must be true. Be who you are and be proud of it.”
Deafness Forum of Australia and Deaf Australia are members of Disability Australia, a consortium of national organisations which represents 200,000 people with disability across the country.

Deaf Australia congratulates NSW Labor Party (proposed by the Honourable Sophie Cotsis and seconded by Helen Westwood) for taking the initiative to promote inclusion of deaf people into the political party.

The motion at the recent NSW Labor State Conference was carried to trial the establishment of an Auslan Branch to promote greater participation of Auslan users in the political party.
The trial is seen to be an important step in engaging with the NSW deaf community by allowing an informal way for members to discuss Party affairs and policy issues in Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
“It is a proud moment for the NSW deaf community as the NSW Labor Party recognises the importance of being inclusive, and ensuring that they include the deaf community and Auslan,” said Mr. Wright. “We believes that all political parties (local, state and national) should be inclusive, and we will work with all parties to promote greater understanding of and about deaf people and Auslan in their affairs and subsequent government’s policies and legislations.
Mr. Todd Wright, Chairperson of Deaf Australia, Mr. Christian James, President of Deaf Australia NSW and Mr. Colin Allen, President of World Federation of the Deaf/ Vice President of International Disability Alliance were in attendance as invited observers when the motion was proposed and carried.
 

The Australian Sign Language Interpreter Association (ASLIA) and Deaf Australia are proud to announce the joint National Auslan Conference 2016 (NAC2016), which will be held on 14-16 October 2016.

The theme for the NAC2016 is ‘A New Era’.
‘A New Era’ epitomises the changing times and focuses on strengthening the Deaf community, the Auslan/English interpreting profession and service provision in their efforts to continue moving forward, whilst drawing on current knowledge, skills and expertise and ensuring choice and control for Deaf individuals.
The NAC2016 will be held at Pullman on the Park, East Melbourne.
More information about the the NAC2016 is coming; for further information or enquiries, please email [email protected] (Chair of NAC2016 Organising Committee).