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Category: Updates
Funding Situation Update from 19 June
Transcript
Hello I’m Shirley, the acting CEO of Deaf Australia. Thank you all for your support and engagement with our video updates on the funding situation Deaf Australia is dealing with. We have been keeping track of your comments and questions on what will be happening as a result of these funding cuts. This video will provide you with an update.
As you would be aware, Deaf Australia is a member of the consortium with AFDO, Australian Federation of Disability Representative Organisations, there is a total of 7 member organisations as part of this consortium. Where we work together to lobby the government on disability specific issues, currently we are working together lobbying government on the reduction of funding, making government aware of the impacts this creates on our organisations, particularly our staff and operations. This reduction in funding severely restricts our capacity.
Deaf Australia applied for a core grant which we were not successful in receiving. But AFDO was successful in receiving a grant. This grant will be disbursed to all members of AFDO, this means Deaf Australia will receive $143,000 funding for one year. This funding will allow Deaf Australia to continue to employ some of our staff.
Deaf Blind Australia received no funding, they have now joined AFDO, and it has gone from 6 members to 7. Which means AFDO needs to negotiate with the government to increase the funding. We are hopeful Deaf Australia will receive $220,000 for one year, not $143,000. We are grateful for any increase.
AFDO are working hard on a campaign to increase awareness about this funding issue. AFDO are doing media interviews and meetings with the Government. Some organisations have been writing directly to Government Ministers, like Minister Rishworth and Minister Shorton, their Government departments look after various disability grants. Our focus is on the grants for DROs, Disability Representative Organisations, who do systemic advocacy.
Deaf Australia was not successful for ILC grants, which is a separate issue for us to respond to.
Our funding issue is time critical, as we are fast approaching the end of financial year. Deaf Australia is developing advocacy letters, and we would greatly appreciate your support. By downloading this advocacy letter, adding your details and sending to the Government Ministers. This will add pressure and highlight to the Government the important role of Deaf Australia and the work we do as a key advocate for our community. Such as advocate on issues related to our culture, language, and the important need for access. We appreciate your support. A link to our website will be made available this week for you to access and get more information.
Our team are currently very busy, wrapping up different projects as we approach the end of the financial year. The Board of Deaf Australia will be sharing more video updates in the coming weeks.
I would like to again thank you for your support while Deaf Australia responds to this funding issue. We appreciate your support as we do our best.
Thank you.
Visual description
A woman with black hair tied behind her head, in a blue long sleeve sweater, is standing against a cream-coloured wall, facing the camera and smiling. The content in the video is presented in Auslan, in a warm friendly and informative tone.
AIDE Toolkit Now Available online!
Transcript
Hello. Deaf Australia is excited to launch a new toolkit called AIDE toolkit. AIDE meaning Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity. This toolkit can be used for deaf people, their friends/family, organisations, anyone that may benefit from, e.g., deaf advocacy, deaf awareness, improving accessibility in workplace, and other relevant areas. There are three areas the toolkit focuses on- legal, education, and health. That includes covering important issues relating to the three areas. For example, key issues relating to deaf educations are covered, including accessibility issues at school. There is both an AIDE Education Checklist and Guideline provided to ensure needs are being met.
Important to note that there are still some videos yet to be finished: the Literature Review, and the Deaf Census Report, including the infographic, visual representation of census data. Those videos are coming very soon. Still, at the moment, we would like to ask you to give it a try, have a look, and give us feedback on how we can do better with the toolkit. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us for potential future projects. Thank you!
Visual description
Josh is standing against a plain beige background and wearing a black shirt. He is signing in a professional and information manner towards the camera.
Sydney Trains Auslan Assist Co-Design Workshop
Transcript
You people who use public transport a lot? We have an exciting project with Sydney Trains, Qvest and QUT.
It is …. Auslan announcement at train stations. We need your feedback to help us to make sure the access to information suits for everyone in deaf community.
We are looking for 6 deaf participants who use Auslan, the workshop will be on 5 July. Auslan interpreters and lunch will be provided.
Visual description
Video features a woman wearing a black shirt and blazer signing in an excited and friendly manner towards the camera. There is a QR code in the upper right hand corner that reads "Sydney Trains Auslan Assist Workshop Registration July 5 2024"
CEO Update 5 June AFDO Canberra Delegation
Transcript
Hi I’m Shirley, the acting CEO of Deaf Australia. Today, I am here at parliament house in Canberra. I have flown over to Canberra to discuss the issue we recently shared with you, in relation to our funding reduction and the plan going forward. Today, I am here as part of a larger collective, with AFDO, The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations. Behind me here are seven members who have attended Canberra. Today we have met with Minster Rishworth’s senior advisor to discuss this serious issue of the allocation of $143,000, which is simply not enough.
We explained, advocated and discussed the importance of our organisation and that if our organisation was to close the very serious impact on the community. Who would advocate for the importance of Auslan, our language, culture and identity, who would inform government of the importance of this? We covered these points with the advisor. We have just finished a media interview, sharing the impacts on our organisations, we hope this will create an impact to increase funding. We hope to see this funding increase slightly, it may not be enough, but it is better than nothing.
This afternoon we have a few more meetings with MPs and senators to raise our issues again. We’ll update you over the coming weeks as we have more information. For your ongoing support, we thank you!
Visual description
The video shows Shirley, the acting CEO of Deaf Australia, giving a sign language presentation with inclusivity in a warm, positive atmosphere. In the background there is a diverse group, including a person in a wheelchair. The scene implies a meeting or event for Deaf Australia, with the text "CEO Update 5 June" visible. Shirley's identity is reinforced with the caption "Hi I'm Shirley, the acting CEO of Deaf Australia."
EOFY Donation Callout
Transcript
Hi I’m Ipek and I work here at Deaf Australia. Do you know what’s coming up soon? It’s coming closer! End of financial year! Meaning once June is over and we’ve ticked over to July 1st it’s time for us to pay our taxes.
One way you can reduce your tax bill is by making donations. Deaf Australia is accepting donations at the moment so if you donate anything over $2, you will get a reduction on your tax bill. If you want to support our work for the rest of 2024 and beyond please consider making a tax-deductible donation. Have a look at the link below for more information. Bye!
Visual description
Video: Ipek is wearing a black t-shirt and has dark curly hair. They are sitting in front of a beige wall and signing towards the camera in an animated and fun manner.
Deaf Australia information closing slide: Graphic features white Deaf Australia logo on a green and blue gradient background. Text reads “Deaf Australia is a Deaf-leg advocacy and information organisation in Australia representing all Deaf, Deafblind, and hard-of-hearing people and others who use Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as their language of preference. Contact us: [email icon] [email protected], [website icon] www.deafaustralia.org.au, [Instagram and Twitter icons] @deafaustralia, [Facebook icon] DeafAustraliaInc”
2022 Deaf Census Report Now Available!
Transcript
Hello Australian Deaf Community,
My name is Gab Hodge, I'm Deaf and work as a researcher. I want to give you a summary update about Deaf Australia's 2022 Deaf Census.
Maybe you remember two years ago Deaf Australia released an online survey? This was the 2022 Deaf Census. Our aim was to collect information about who uses Auslan and other sign languages in Australia.
Deaf Census had different questions asking about who you are, where you live, your age, gender, sexuality, and cultural background. We also asked about your experiences of barriers and/or access at school, work, hospital, GP, Centrelink, and NDIS, plus many other questions.
Deaf Australia received over 1200 responses to the 2022 Deaf Census. This included about 850 responses from Deaf, Deafblind, Deaf disabled, and hard of hearing people. This is a really good result. It is important because Deaf Australia is responsible for advocacy, and strong numbers will support this advocacy.
Deaf Australia is excited to announce that the final summary report of the 2022 Deaf Census is now published and available online. You can download the 200 page report with many graphs, tables, and other information.
Soon there will be different Auslan videos available on different topics from the Deaf Census. This means you don't need to read the Deaf Census report. You can watch the videos in Auslan and learn about it that way.
We will also have infographics that pull out important information from the Deaf Census and display in visual format. You will be able to use these infographics for your own advocacy too.
During National Week of Deaf People in September, we will also host an online event for the Deaf community, where you will be able to learn and discuss about the Deaf Census in more detail.
The Deaf Australia team would like to thank everyone who was involved in the 2022 Deaf Census. Thank you to all who completed the Census and everyone who encouraged others to complete it too. It is really important work. Thank you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do get in touch.
Visual description
Video: Gab Hodge is sitting against a plain white background and wearing a dark red turtleneck jumper. She is signing towards the camera in a professional and friendly manner and smiling.
Researcher information slide: The image shows the "Deaf Australia 2022 Deaf Census Project Team" with four smiling members: Dr. Gabrielle Hodge, Independent Researcher; Mx Jen Blyth, CEO of Deaf Australia; Mx Lee Murray and Ms Darlene Thornton, both Project Officers.
Deaf Australia information closing slide: Graphic features white Deaf Australia logo on a green and blue gradient background. Text reads “Deaf Australia is a Deaf-leg advocacy and information organisation in Australia representing all Deaf, Deafblind, and hard-of-hearing people and others who use Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as their language of preference. Contact us: [email icon] [email protected], [website icon] www.deafaustralia.org.au, [Instagram and Twitter icons] @deafaustralia, [Facebook icon] DeafAustraliaInc”
Update after meeting with Minister Rowland 29 May 2024
Transcript
Hi, I’m Shirley, Acting CEO of Deaf Australia.
I would like to share an update with you about a meeting re had last Friday with Minister Rowland, Minister for Communications.
It was a very positive meeting and I was accompanied by communications expert, Phil Harper. We raised a number of issues including NRS and triple 0 emergency call access.
Minister Rowland acknowledged and apologised for the gaps and unclear communication and lack of collaboration prior to the recent NRS tender process and we discussed how this can improve for future.
We impressed upon the Minister the importance of the VRS service for the deaf community and asked her to consider making the VRS service a 24/7 service like the NRS. We discussed the importance of increasing funding is increased for this purpose. We highlighted how important the VRS is especially for deaf people who are not NDIS participants.
We also reinforced that the need for the VRS is not limited to business hours and a short time on Saturday. Minister is committed to working with us on improving VRS access alongside the Department of Communications.
We also asked about the lack of a consumer advisory group to the Department of Communications specifically on the NRS to provide consumer advice, experience and perspective on the NRS. In the past, from 1995 – 2013 there has been an advisory group but since 2013, there has been no consumer advisory group. The Minister was committed to investigating the reinstatement of this advisory group and acknowledged how important it is to have this group.
Finally, we explained the issues for deaf people access triple 0 emergency calls, how this could be improved including utilising an expanded VRS service. The Minister is committed to investigating how this can improve for the deaf community.
Thank you for supporting our work by providing your feedback to the recent NRS survey circulated by Deaf Australia. We will continue to keep you updated.
Visual description
Open slide: Graphic features white Deaf Australia logo on a green and blue gradient background. Text reads "Update after meeting with Minister Rowland 29 May 2024".
Video: A woman is sitting in a chair, dressed in a blue sweater, facing the camera and smiling. The background has a curtain, and the overall impression is of a warm and personable setting likely intended for an online audience.
CEO Update 28 May 2024
Transcript
Hello, I’m Shirley and I’m the Acting CEO of Deaf Australia.
Here is another video update:
We, (Deaf Australia) are very thankful to the members of the Deaf community for all the questions you have raised, your concerns and comments. There has been lots of messages received and contact made with us which is amazing. This really shows how keen you are to support Deaf Australia and we appreciate this very much. It is very motivating for members of the Deaf Australia Board to know that you are all willing to support us and no matter what happens into the future, I’m sure we will work our way through the issues we are now facing.
We know you are keen to provide practical support and here are some ideas. You can write letters to the Government or offer to volunteer to support the services of Deaf Australia as an organisation. You can donate money or help in fundraising efforts - there are many ways that you can assist.
We have a few happenings this week. We will be meeting with different people including AFDO, the Department of Social Services (DSS) and with Minister Rishworth. There will be lots of discussion to work out the best plan going forward. We will then provide another update either at the end of this week or early next week. This will talk about various ways to collaborate. So, thank you.
I also want to acknowledge representatives of other community organisations who have sent funding applications to the Government and have also been unsuccessful in getting funding. I want to recognise the difficult times that you are also facing.
There are other issues that I want to let you know about and to clarify a few things:
You will remember that I announced that our funding applications to the Government were not successful however that does not mean that Deaf Australia will close. We will continue to work very hard but there will be limits to what we can do based on our resources. This may mean that we are slower to respond and not act as quickly as we have before. I really want to clarify that first of all.
I am also aware that some people in the Deaf community are confused about how Government funding systems work. People think that other organisations are to blame and have taken over the area and this has led to the less-than-ideal funding situation for Deaf Australia. This is NOT correct. This is not their responsibility or their fault. This situation relates to the Government. The Government is responsible for accepting funding submissions or representations from many organisations and community groups throughout Australia. There are hundreds of grant applications received by the Government, these are reviewed and then funding given out to organisations. Government representatives reviewing the applications may not fully understand the issues faced by disability or CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) groups, the gaps and barriers experienced. They may not fully understand the impacts. Once the funding applications are received, the Government may not see deaf people as important which has major effects.
Service providers do not control the area, that is a totally separate issue. It is about the Government system not being the best.
We will now work on resolving these issues, so we are well prepared for the next government funding round next year.
I really want to acknowledge the service providers who have done so much to support us with projects and events. Examples include deaf services such as Deaf Connect and Expression Australia, two of the main services nationally and I want to say again that in no way is it their fault that Deaf Australia is in this situation. I hope that makes everything clear.
We are giving this lots of thought and hopefully I will be able to provide more information to everyone about how we can better work with the system. We may organise a webinar or a Q and A session so that we can have more discussion with you all. We would be happy to do this so maybe let me know if you would be interested.
That is the summary of the current situation and I want to thank you again for your support. You can be sure that in the coming weeks, we will be rolling up our sleeves and working hard to make sure that Deaf Australia continues into the future. We will also continue to engage with the Deaf community and communicate the next actions going forward. Once we have updates on issues to share, we will let you know, both this week and in the coming week.
Again, thank you all for taking the time to watch this video. Please share this video with your friends, family, work colleagues and community members far and wide. We see it as very important that Deaf Australia represents all of you in the community well.
Thank you.
Visual description
Shirley has black hair, which is tied back, is wearing a maroon-coloured cable-knit jumper and is standing in front of a cream background. There is text on the image providing context to the scene, which reads "CEO Update 28 May 2024" on the top left, and "Hello I'm Shirley and I'm the Acting CEO of Deaf Australia" at the bottom of the image. The overall impression is of a warm and personable setting likely intended for an online audience.
Media Release CEO Update 24 May
Transcript
Hello I’m Shirley, the Acting CEO of Deaf Australia.
This is an important video to provide clear information to the deaf community. As you know, Deaf Australia has worked tirelessly over the last 3 years and we have seen some great achievements through our systemic advocacy, negotiations with government and as a representative with various disability organisations. We have worked to ensure access to interpreters and have worked with many policy leaders to make sure that deaf people and Auslan is well represented in government discussions and decisions. We want to make sure that deaf community members enjoy a high quality of life.
Over the last 3 years Deaf Australia has been heavily reliant on government funding. Government funding has allowed us to increase our project work alongside our advocacy work. Each year Deaf Australia must apply for government funding. This year, we applied for three separate grants:
- ILC: SCP – Information Linkages and Capacity Social and Community Participation
- ILC: ICB – Information Linkages and Capacity Individual Capacity Building; and
- DRO – Disability Representative Organisation funds for systemic advocacy work
Unfortunately, we have recently been informed that our applications for funding have been unsuccessful. Not receiving this funding leads to some uncertainty about Deaf Australia’s future operations. Unfortunately, we will not be able to retain all of our staff so some staff will be finishing their employment by the end of June this year.
This is a very sad and disappointing situation for our community. The Deaf Australia Board and I are working hard to consider how we can better Deaf Australia’s position into the future and to make sure that we can best support our staff through this difficult time.
Deaf Australia is a member of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO). AFDO has arranged a consortium of 6 member organisations. Deaf Australia is a consortium member and we are fortunately able to obtain some funding through this consortium which will help us to continue some of our work in a limited way. Unfortunately, it is not enough funding to enable us to maintain all of our staff.
We will continue working with AFDO to advocate to government about the funding impacts on Deaf Australia and other disability advocacy organisations. The consortium, lead by AFDO, has accepted a 7th disability organisation who has also been impacted by funding cuts into the consortium. We will provide a list of the consortium members which includes other organisations that represent sensory disabilities e.g. deaf, hard of hearing, and vision. All members have been impacted by the loss of government funding.
AFDO will be launching a campaign aimed at increasing government funding to our organisation and to put pressure on government to acknowledge the important work that our organisations do. The campaign will be visible on social media in the coming weeks.
Deaf Australia thanks you for your support and we will continue to keep you updated about the position of Deaf Australia and its operations going forward.
We are very privileged to work with our community and we are committed to continuing Deaf Australia’s operations with the community into the future.
Thank you.
Visual description
A woman is sitting in a chair, dressed in a blue sweater, facing the camera and smiling. She is making a sign language gesture with her left hand, which is the sign for "hello" in Auslan. There is text on the image providing context to the scene, which reads "CEO Update 24 May 2024" on the top left, and "Hello I'm Shirley, the Acting CEO of Deaf Australia" at the bottom of the image. The background is blue with a curtain on one side, and the overall impression is of a warm and personable setting likely intended for an online audience.
Palliative Care webinar upcoming on 21 May
Transcript
We will have a webinar called “Palliative Care”.
Palliative care is treatment, care and support to help for people who are very sick and can't get better and will die from illness. So this care is all about making them feel as good and happy as possible.
We will have Sophie, a hearing doctor based in Perth, specialises in palliative care medicine, providing home-based care to people of all ages.
She will explain more about what palliative care is - supporting each person doesn’t matter what’s their age for what they need. This includes reducing pain, making plans for the future, and arrange counselling to cope with emotions.
Palliative care also helps families talk about important things together, supports and respects cultural traditions, and offers respite care.
You are keen to know more? Then come and watch this webinar!
Deaf Australia, Expression Australia and Deaf Victoria are working together to ensure this webinar is accessible. Auslan interpreters and captioning will be provided.
Please register soon.
Visual description
Paula is standing in front of a beige wall and wearing a black t-shirt, she has long blonde curly hair and is wearing glasses. She is signing towards the camera in a friendly manner.
Learn more about specialised care and support provided for someone living with a life-limiting illness. Auslan interpreters and captioning will be provided.
When: 21 May 2024
7:30pm – 8:45pm (NSW, VIC, QLD & TAS)
7:00pm – 8:15pm (SA & NT)
5:30pm – 6:45pm (WA)
Where: Online via Zoom