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).

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released proposed revised Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines as part of the current review of the medical standards. Deaf Australia (together with Deaf Victoria) has been instrumental in the drafting of the revised guidelines and encourages all members of the Deaf community to read and provide feedback to the Commission.

The review of the Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines has taken into account:

• advances in medical knowledge & practice
• changes to the driving environment and policies
• stakeholder feedback on the operation of the standards, including any problems faced by medical professionals currently doing the testing
• findings from relevant recent inquiries
• any other new issues affecting the medical standards

The changes were developed after the NTC released a draft consultation paper in October 2014 and received valuable input from medical practitioners, consumer health organisations, government transport departments, driver licensing authorities, unions, operators and transport industry associations.
The NTC is seeking feedback from key stakeholders including the medical community, industry groups and associations, transport operators and their employees, driver licensing authorities, transport departments, unions, regulators and coroners. Additionally, all submissions are welcome from any interested party.
The NTC will consider these submissions when drafting final recommendations and providing them to the Transport and Infrastructure Council at the May 2016 meeting.
The Papers can be found at the following link (scroll to bottom of page for Consultation Report, draft AFTD guidelines, and Submission Template):
http://www.ntc.gov.au/current-projects/reviewing-assessing-fitness-to-drive/ 
Submissions will be accepted from now until Friday 8 January 2016 (COB).

Deaf Australia will have its Twenty-Eighth Annual General Meeting on 21 November 2015 to be held at Deaf Children Australia in Melbourne Victoria.

To vote at the Annual General Meeting or to express interest to be on the Board of Deaf Australia, you need to become member of Deaf Australia at least 35 days prior to Annual General Meeting.

Last day to join or renew your membership and be eligible to vote and nominate is 16 October 2015.

Membership fee:

• Ordinary Member* (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) – $100.00 (one-time payment)
• Associate Member (hearing) – $100.00 (every 5 years).

Becoming a member of Deaf Australia, you also become a member of state organisation if you are residing in the following states:

• New South Wales (Deaf Australia NSW);
• Queensland (Queensland Association of the Deaf);
• South Australia (Deaf Australia SA);
• Victoria (Deaf Victoria); and
• West Australia (Western Australian Association of the Deaf).

If you reside outside these states, you have an option (not required) to nominate a neighbouring state to become a member of state organisation.
Take advantage of our new initiative: The Deaf Friendly Schemse – it cost you $0.00 when you join or renew your membership with Deaf Australia.
[button url=”http://deaf-friendly.org/sign-up-now/deaf-friendly-for-individuals/” class=”button” size=”large” color=”green-2″ target=”_self” lightbox_content=”” lightbox_description=””] Click here to complete the Deaf Friendly/Membership application [/button] [button url=”http://deaf-friendly.org/sign-up-now/deaf-friendly-for-individuals/” class=”button” size=”large” color=”green-2″ target=”_self” lightbox_content=”” lightbox_description=””] Click here to complete the Deaf Australia Membership application (you don’t want to opt-in to the Deaf Friendly Scheme) [/button]

Many Deaf people have felt frustrated in the past because mobile phone plans always include a charge for voice calls, which deaf people don’t need or use.

Deaf Australia and many members of the Deaf community have had to negotiate with telecommunications providers individually to get a tailored mobile plan that suits their needs. Sometimes this worked well and sometimes it didn’t, and many Deaf people ended up paying a monthly fee for voice calls that they didn’t use.
Deaf Australia is pleased to announce a partnership with not-for-profit phone and internet provider; Jeenee Mobile.
Jeenee Mobile launched a new Deaf-friendly mobile phone plan today that only includes SMS and internet data – it does not include voice calls. This saves money for Deaf people who don’t need a voice call service.
Jeenee have also launched a new system for Deaf people who need to contact the company about changes or problems with their service. Most phone companies require the Deaf person to try to speak on the phone, and won’t accept an interpreter or a friend speaking for the Deaf person. Jeenee Mobile can set up a password/pin number system so that Deaf people can identify themselves through a third party, such as an interpreter ringing on their behalf.
Both of these new initiatives have never been done in Australia before!
Jeenee Mobile is a not-for-profit disability social enterprise, using the Optus 4G network.
The plan from Jeenee Mobile offers unlimited text and MMS to any mobile phones on any carrier across Australia plus 100MB of data. There are also options to increase the monthly data limit.
“Deaf Australia congratulates Jeenee Mobile on both of these initiatives that are tailored to suit the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing people,” said Kyle Miers, Chief Executive of Deaf Australia. “This is a great win for the Deaf community and for Deaf Australia.”
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), is also glad to see text and data only plans on the market as well as the flexible customer support arrangements being launched by Jeenee Mobile.
“In the past, consumers who are Deaf or hard of hearing have had to pay for voice inclusions in their mobile phone plans that they don’t use. Tailored plans that suit the needs of these consumers are welcome,” said ACCAN Disability Policy Advisor, Wayne Hawkins.
Jeenee Mobile’s General Manager, Jeremy Way, said: “Jeenee Mobile aims to provide a complete service that makes mobile as accessible and inclusive as possible for EVERY Australian. As a not-for-profit Telco, we pride ourselves on doing the things that the other Telco’s either can’t, don’t or won’t do. We’re pleased to be able to offer a tailored solution that suits the needs of the Deaf community. We also welcome the opportunity for Jeenee Mobile to partner with Deaf Australia.”
As part of the partnership with Jeenee Mobile, Deaf Australia will receive a donation for any connection to Jeenee Mobile when ‘DeafAus’ is quoted in the application. Subscribers also receive free set up and postage of their SIM card.
This means you can support Deaf Australia and get a great value mobile plan at the same time.
[button url=”http://www.jeenee.org.au/products/sim-packs/” class=”button” size=”jumbo” color=”green-2″ target=”_blank” lightbox_content=”” lightbox_description=””]CLICK HERE to sign up with Jeenee Mobile[/button]

Deaf Australia is saddened to learn about the passing of advocate, supporter and deaf community member Karen McQuigg.

One of Karen’s strongest passions was captioning access. She was involved with the establishment of a cinema access working group that advocated for captioning access in cinemas throughout Australia, and also had a role in advocating regarding the controversial CaptiView technology.
Karen was one of the very few members of the Deaf Community who would write personal submissions to various government inquiries, most recently the Deregulation Bill on Captioning.
When the Government announced that Deaf Australia would be defunded under their new funding structure, Karen immediately put up her hand to help and support us to discuss and explore various ways Deaf Australia could campaign to raise funds and remain viable for the interests of deaf and hard of hearing people.
In the coming months and years, some of Deaf Australia’s campaigns will include Karen’s contribution and Deaf Australia is proud to carry her legacy in creating social justice and equity for deaf and hard of hearing people.
On behalf of Deaf Australia, the board and the deaf/ hard of hearing members, we convey our sincere condolences to Karen McQuigg’s family and friends.

Deaf Australia supports the joint statement prepared by the National Ethnics with Disability Alliance (NEDA) on the Detention of People with Disabilities.

You can read the joint statement here: http://www.neda.org.au/index.php/latest/184-joint-statement
Deaf Australia appreciates the collaboration with NEDA to ensure the statement includes the rights to effective communication to diverse language and communication supports, including sign language, in official interactions for refugees to seek, receive and impart information and ideas on an equal basis as others through all forms of communication of their choice.
The joint statement calls for legislative change to end the detention of all people with disabilities and their families, following the release of the Australian Human Rights Commissioner’s National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention.
As at July 2014, there were 28 children in detention who were assessed with disabilities. These children had spent 11 months in detention on average and were aged between two and 17 years old.
One of these children is deaf. This child’s parents are also deaf and they use sign language to communicate. During the detention, it appears that sign language interpreters have not been engaged by the Australian Government to communicate with the child or the family. Deaf Australia believes this breaches a basic human right – the right to access effective communication, including the use of sign language.
Without access to effective communication support, the detention places this family and their child at increased risk and more vulnerable to the dangers posed in the detention environment.
Deaf Australia is calling for the Australian Federal Government to ensure that deaf families (including deaf children) who use sign language are given access to sign language interpreters so that they can access information and support in their own language and have the same access to facilities, services, and immigration information and processes as other detainees.
Furthermore, Deaf Australia is requesting the Australian Federal Government to move any and all deaf families and detainees to community detention while their cases are being reviewed, to ensure their safety and reduce the extra risk that being deaf in a detention centre poses to these families.

Additional notice:

From 1 July 2015, Deaf Australia will become an unfunded national peak organisation representing deaf and hard of hearing people. It is important that Deaf Australia remains in a position to actively provide specialist advice and advocacy services; otherwise the rights of deaf and hard of hearing people will remain unaddressed.