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Category: Updates
The Disability Royal Commission “What Australia Told Us!” Online Sessions
What Australia Told Us – National Information Sessions
This year DRC are holding a series of national information sessions, ‘What Australia Told Us!’
In these sessions, we share what we’ve learnt about people with disability and their experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation since our inquiry began. This includes:
· how people engaged with us
· ways people shared their experiences
· what we learnt from people who took part in private sessions or made submissions.
We are holding two online sessions in June, and are inviting people who are Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing to attend.
More information about the sessions is also available our website.
Deaf Australia are coming to Adelaide for NDIS Review sessions
Transcript
Sherrie: Deaf Australia, along with various board members, will be traveling across Australia from June until August to meet with the Deaf community.NDIS Review - this will be a paid opportunity for participants. NDIS Youth Review - each state will have a young person responsible to run this workshop.
Jen: The NDIS review session is important.
If you come, you will be able to talk about your experiences with the NDIS, both positive and negative. I will take on all of your information and then give it to the NDIS, so they can learn and understand how to adapt to work with you, the Deaf community. We will ask questions like, do you have a good or bad experience with the NDIS;whether the NDIS understands you as a Deaf person; what good things you want more of; what things you want less of; whether you are happy with your plan, especially in comparison to others who have a NDIS plan would you want everyone to have similar plans or different. We will ask many different questions.
We will be going to all the states in Australia this year. You will also have an opportunity to meet us at Deaf Australia before or after the events.
You will be paid for coming to the NDIS Review. Those who are Deaf, Deafblind or hard of hearing – all those who have plans will be paid $140 for two hours, and $50 per hour afterwards.
Those who are not Deaf, Deafblind or hard of hearing, and support Deaf people, will be paid, but at a lesser rate per hour.
William: I am excited that I will be facilitating the youth NDIS review consultation on Friday 16th June from 4pm to 7:30pm. The event will be held at the Deaf Connect office in Mile End,
We will be providing pizza starting at 4:30pm and the review session will commence at approximately 5pm.
Sherrie: They will be scheduled over the weekends to ensure community participation. RSVP is essential for attendance.
Transcript
Hello, my name is William Maggs, and I am an artist from Adelaide. I am excited to announce that I will be facilitating the youth NDIS review consultation on Friday, June 16th, from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The event will be held at the Deaf Connect office in Mile End.
We will be providing pizza starting at 4:30 pm, and the review session will commence at approximately 5:00 pm. This event is specifically for individuals aged between 14 and 25 who are Deaf, Deafblind, hard of hearing, or Deaf+Disabled with an NDIS plan are welcome to attend.
Please note that this event is exclusively for Auslan users.
Caregivers of individuals under 18 years of age are also welcome to attend to provide support.
Participants will be paid $140 for their two-hour involvement; however, it is mandatory to register in advance.
The purpose of this NDIS review is to provide Deaf individuals with an opportunity to express their opinions on how the NDIS can better serve the Deaf community. You are encouraged to share what is working well and what improvements are needed.
Additionally, please be aware that there will be another NDIS review session for non-youth participants on Sunday morning from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
I hope to see you there.
, RSVP, the link is below. Thank you!
Visual description
A young white man with blonde curly hair tied back. He has a blonde beard and moustache. He is wearing large gold-framed glasses and has gold earrings in both ears - one stands out with a star shape. He is wearing a black t-shirt with the DYA (Deaf Youth Australia) logo and has a bracelet on both wrists.
Deaf Australia are coming to Adelaide for NDIS Review sessions on
Friday 16 June Afternoon Session – 4pm – 7:30pm
NDIS Youth Review (paid opportunity) – facilitated by the amazing William Maggs! – RSVP* here: https://forms.office.com/r/UtGZbqziRg
Sunday 18th June Morning Session – 9am – 12pm
NDIS Review (paid opportunity) – RSVP* here: https://forms.office.com/r/UtGZbqziRg
Update on our upcoming events to Tasmania for the NDIS Review & Deaf Australia’s constitution
Transcript
I am in a country town!
I want to let you all know that soon I will be in Tasmania for the NDIS Review. I will also consult with the community about Deaf Australia’s constitution, but the NDIS Review is really important.
If you come, you will be able to talk about your experiences with the NDIS, both positive and negative. I will take on all of your information and then give it to the NDIS, so they can learn and understand how to adapt to work with you, the Deaf community. We will ask questions like, do you have a good or bad experience with the NDIS; whether the NDIS understands you as a Deaf person; what good things you want more of; what things you want less of; whether you are happy with your plan, especially in comparison to others who have a NDIS plan – would you want everyone to have similar plans or different.
We will ask many different questions.
We will be going to all the states in Australia this year.
You will also have an opportunity to meet us at Deaf Australia before or after the events.
You will be paid for coming to the NDIS Review. Those who are Deaf, Deafblind or hard of hearing – all those who have plans will be paid $140 for two hours, and $50 per hour afterwards. Those who are not Deaf, Deafblind or hard of hearing, and support Deaf people, will be paid, but at a lesser rate per hour.
So, please do RSVP! I’ll be in Tasmania this weekend! I do know it is short notice, and I do apologise for that – in two weeks time, I will be in Adelaide, South Australia, this will be the same opportunity again.
In Tasmania there will be two events, one for the community and one for young people under 25 years old, which will be facilitated by the amazing Ace! A Tasmanian young person who will facilitate this workshop for young people! Please come, RSVP, the link is below. Thank you!
Visual description
Jen is signing in this video a message to the viewer. She is wearing a black puffer jacket. She is sitting behind a window on a beige couch with a light beige wall behind her. She has curly red hair, light skin, and wears clear-rimmed glasses. She is signing in a professional and happy manner.
Hobart, Tasmania
Remember the DA Australia Tour? Here are the details for our Hobart, Tasmania stop! 🚌 💨
We will be there on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June at the Mathers House. We’re hosting three different workshops that you can attend:
🔹 DA Constitution consultation and Deaf community consultation
🔹 NDIS Youth Review (paid opportunity)
🔹 NDIS Review (paid opportunity)
Who will be there? Jen, Catherine and and Vice-Chairperson Sherrie.
Make sure you RSVP via our form by this Friday 2 June 2023: https://forms.office.com/r/RkeWBCDe03
Please contact us to let meus know if you miss the cut off date.
WFD Board Nominee Announcement – May 2023
Transcript
Hi, I'm Jen, CEO of Deaf Australia. Deaf Australia is a member of the World Federation of the Deaf. WFD is an international organisation that advocates on a global level to the United Nations for issues that relate to the Deaf community, which also results in influencing other countries across the globe. They are our parent body, and we are a member.
In July, in South Korea the WFD is holding its next congress. It is held every four years in which people across the world get together to discuss different topics. Before the WFD Congress there is the the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, WFDYS, where Deaf Australia’s very own staff member, Shirley Liu is the current board president. Her term on the board will be finishing up this July.
The Congress itself includes opportunities to attend presentations and networking events. I will be attending alongside Deaf Australia’s Board chairperson Debra Swann to represent Deaf Australia at the general meeting, where we will vote on various issues and vote on where the next conference will be held in four years’ time along with other things. Additionally, the Board farewells and welcomes new board members every 4 years at the congress. Some people may also continue serving on the WFD board.
I wanted to let you all know that on behalf of Deaf Australia, I have put forward a nominee for the WFD Board and that person is Shirley Liu. Deaf Australia called for an expression of interest across Australia for volunteers to put their hand up for the WFD board. Shirley was one of the applicants who had put herself forward, and that application then went through our board’s process and with that being successful, we have now put forward Shirley Liu as a nominee for the WFD Board.
We wish Shirley all the best in this endeavour and hope for her successful appointment in Korea. We will let you know the outcome once voting has occurred in July. I know that they will see what fantastic work she has done for the WFDYS and see what an asset she would be to the WFD board. It is a competitive process, fingers crossed. Thank you.
Visual description
Visual description opening slide:
Background is a blue and green gradient with white Deaf Australia logo at the top center. The main title is blue text in a white button that reads “WFD Board Nominee Announcement”. Below the button is small white text that reads “May 2023”.
Visual description video:
Jen is signing in this video a message to the viewer. She is wearing a grey cardigan and a black t-shirt with her sign name illustration on it. She is sitting on a beige couch with a light beige wall behind her. She has curly red hair, light skin, and wears clear-rimmed glasses. She is signing in a professional and happy manner.
Visual description 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”
DA Australia Tour Information
Transcript
Hello, I am Sherrie, the Vice President of Deaf Australia Board. Deaf Australia, along with various board members, will be traveling across Australia from June until August to meet with the Deaf community for four reasons:
1. Deaf Australia Constitution consultation.
2. Deaf community consultation for Deaf Australia.
3. NDIS Review - this will be a paid opportunity for participants.
4. NDIS Youth Review - each state will have a young person responsible to run this workshop.
The dates for these events will be provided in text and they will be scheduled over the weekends to ensure community participation. We will advertise the dates, times, and locations, so please stay tuned. RSVP is essential for attendance. I look forward to seeing you in Tasmania on the 3rd of June. Bye.
Visual description
Visual description opening slide:
Background is a green and beige gradient with white Deaf Australia logo at the top center. The main title is green text in a white button that reads “DA Australia Tour”. Above the button is small white text that reads “Message from Board Member Sherrie Beaver”.
Visual description video:
Video is of Sherrie signing against a dark blue background. She is wearing a black t-shirt and wire-rimmed glasses. She has light skin and short curly brown hair. She is signing in a professional manner.
Visual description tour dates slide:
Background is a green and beige gradient with white text as the content. Deaf Australia logo is in the upper right hand corner. Mini-title at the top reads “Australia-wide Roadtrip”. List of cities, dates and people that will be meeting across Australia as follows: “1) Tasmania. Saturday 3 June + Sunday 4 June with Jen*, Catherine* and Sherrie**. 2) Adelaide. Saturday 17 June + Sunday 18 June with Jen* and Debra**. 3) Canberra. Friday 23 June + Saturday 24 June with Jen* and Brooke**. 4) Darwin. Saturday 1 July + Sunday 2 July with Jen*, Paula* and Debra**. 5) Melbourne. Saturday 23 July + Sunday 24 July with Jen*, Karthik** and Deaf VIC. 6) Sydney. Saturday 29 July + Sunday 30 July and with Jen*, Paula* and Brooke**. 7) Perth. Saturday 5 Aug + Sunday 6 Aug with Jen* and Susan**. 8) Brisbane. Saturday 12 Aug + Sunday 13 Aug with Jen*, Julie** and DCCQ. 9) Cairns. Saturday 19 Aug + Sunday 20 Aug with Jen* and Julie**. *DA Staff Member **DA Board Member.” Bottom text reads “Email [email protected] to secure your spot.”
Visual description 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”
Hobart, Tasmania
Remember the DA Australia Tour? Here are the details for our Hobart, Tasmania stop! 🚌 💨
We will be there on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June at the Mathers House. We’re hosting three different workshops that you can attend:
🔹 DA Constitution consultation and Deaf community consultation
🔹 NDIS Youth Review (paid opportunity)
🔹 NDIS Review (paid opportunity)
Who will be there? Jen, Catherine and and Vice-Chairperson Sherrie.
Make sure you RSVP via our form: https://forms.office.com/r/RkeWBCDe03
SA Consultation with Jen Blyth
Transcript
Hello. I’m Jen from Deaf Australia. I wanted to let you know that I will be in Adelaide for the community consultation regarding our constitution. There will be an opportunity for you to give your feedback about Deaf Australia including questions or clarifications. There is more information on the flyer at the end of the video. Thanks, bye.
Visual Description
Opening slide features white Deaf Australia logo on a blue and green gradient background. Text reads “SA Deaf Community: SA Consultation with Jen Blyth. We will be discussing proposed changes to Deaf Australia’s structure and constitution. Friday 5 May, 5pm. Deaf Connect Office: 200 South Rd, Mile End SA 5031. Email [email protected] to secure your spot.”
Video is of Jen who is wearing a black t-shirt and has curly red hair. She is signing a professionally friendly manner.
Closing slide 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”
SA Session: Friday 5 May, 5pm
Deaf Connect office
200 South Rd, Mile End SA 5031
Email [email protected] to secure your spot!
2023 Collin Allen Lecture Series Nominations are now open!
Transcript
We are excited to announce the Colin Allen AM Lecture 2023 is now open for nominations. Why this lecture? It’s an opportunity for the deaf community to present on the themes that are important to the Deaf community. We have different themes:
- Deaf Community (national and international)
- Human rights
- Sign language rights
- International Development
- Deaf Theatre
- LGBTQIA+
More information is available on the DA website.
This is a great opportunity to nominate a deaf person to present at the National Week of Deaf People (NWDP).
We have had few lectures in the past. Last year we had:
- Marnie Kerridge (MK) presented on Why Deaf schools need to be valued)
Past lectures:
- Caroline Colon (sign name) – Deaf Theatre: Yesterday, Today … Tomorrow?
- Colin Allen - ‘Colin Allen – the individual, - identity, influence and insight.
When nominating someone – please make sure you get their approval before you make the nomination on Deaf Australia’s website.
Head to our website for more information and to nominate – Nominations close on 30th June.
Visual Description
Visual description cover slide: Graphic features white text on a dark blue background. In the background there is a repeating painted portrait of Colin Allen AM. At the top center there is a white Deaf Australia logo. Beneath that reads: "The Colin Allen AM Lecture. Nominations Now Open, Deadline 30 June 2023. Learn more: www.deafaustralia.org.au/the-colin-allen-am-lecture"
Visual description vieo: Debra Swann is a woman with light skin tone and she is standing against a beige background, wearing a black short-sleeved blouse. She has shoulder length brown and white hair and is wearing clear-framed glasses. She signing in a friendly and encouraging manner towards the camera.
Visual description end slide: Cover slide repeats. Then end slide appears with Deaf Australia general information. Graphic image features white text on a blue and green gradient background. Deaf Australia logo is in white at the top followed by text that reads: "Deaf Australia is a Deaf-lef advocacy and information organisation in Australia representing all Deaf, Deafblind, 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 icon] @deafaustralia [Facebook icon] @DeafAustraliaInc"
NDIS CALD Community Consultations
Transcript
Deaf Australia will have a community consultation for NDIS regarding the feedback from CALD. They want Deaf people to share their experiences with NDIS, whether it was compatible with Deaf culture and the language.
We had NDIS CALD Community consultations on Zoom and they want more feedback so we have added 2 more available dates. The first is: Thursday 13th April 7pm – 8.30pm AEST, online via Zoom. The second is: Friday 14th April 9.30 am – 11am AEST for face to face in NDIS office in Melbourne – address confirmed upon registration.
Participants with be paid for their time online or in person. For online participants we encourage attendees from outside of Melbourne. Jen Blyth will be facilitating and leading the conversations. Email [email protected] for questions and to register your attendance. It will be worthwhile sharing your experiences and effect change for better futures with NDIS.
Visual description
Paula has long curly blonde hair and is wearing a black shirt. She is signing against a plain white wall in the background. Cover and end slides are graphic images of white text on purple backgrounds and contain the information featured in the video in text format.
Event details below:
VIC
NDIS Office Melbourne
Friday 14th April
9:30am – 11am AEST
Participants will be paid for their time. Catering provided.
NATIONWIDE
Online via Zoom
Thursday 13th April
7pm – 8:30pm AEST
Participants will be paid for their time.
Video update 17 March:
Transcript
Hello. I’m Jen.
Any of you have NDIS? Do you feel any barriers with NDIS and their planners or LAC where they don’t understand your Deaf pride and the use of Auslan as your main language? Perhaps they only see the disability side without the insight of the cultural aspect. Have you experienced that? Or maybe you have seen a really great case, and you want the same for other Deaf people.
If so, then do come to the online meeting on Monday 20th March 6:30pm (AEDT). It will take up to 3 hours of your time. I will be facilitating this meeting to get feedback from the you, the Deaf community. I will be sharing the data back to NDIS so they can make adjustments and better serve the Deaf community. It should be that NDIS accommodates their Deaf clients rather than us to fit into their system. It’s our aim for NDIS to change their system to match our cultural needs.
You will get paid for your time because we believe your time is valuable. We can only accept 8 places and we have a tight timeline, so please do join to make the changes within NDIS.
Please contact us to register and see the link.
Visual description
Jen has curly red hair and is wearing a black t-shirt. She is standing outside against a brick wall and next to garden. The sun shining outside.
Closing slide: Graphic that features different ways to get in touch with Deaf Australia. Deaf Australia logo is in the center at the top. Content reads “[Email icon] [email protected], [Website icon] deafaustralia.org.au, [Post box icon] PO Box 31 Northcote, Victoria 3070, [Facebook icon] Deaf Australia, [Instagram icon] deafaustralia, [Twitter icon] @deafaustralia”.
Original message:
Roses in the Ocean National Co-Design
Message from Jen about the opportunity to consult with Roses in the Ocean on Deaf mental health 🌹
Trigger warning: this post mentions mental health and suicide prevention.
The Department of Health and Aged Care have teamed up with Roses in the Ocean to deliver a universal co-design and address the mental health and suicide prevention needs across the nation. Deaf Australia has been consulting with the Department to ensure the Deaf community’s needs are met in this process, as well.
At this time, they are seeking EOI’s from the community from people with lived experience of suicide. More detail about the co-design and how to register is available on the Roses in the Ocean website here.
If you need immediate support or are struggling with your mental health you can reach out to the following organisations:
Lifeline: www.lifeline.org.au Text 13 11 14
Beyond blue: www.beyondblue.org.au Online chat via their website
Mensline: www.mensline.org.au Online chat via their website
Standby: www.standbysupport.com.au SMS 0428 842 041 6am – 10pm, 7 days per week
Take care of yourselves.
Transcript
Hello, I’m Jen. I just want to let you know before I continue: this video comes with a trigger warning. It might have traumatic or sensitive information. I will be talking about mental health and suicide prevention. If you feel uncomfortable, please stop watching now.
There is an opportunity from a business/organisation called “Roses in the Ocean.” They have set up a consultation with anyone in Australia that has past experience with suicide. It could be their family, loved one or themselves that have attempted suicide or experienced a bad mental health period.
They want to consult with you all (those with a past experience of suicide) to collect feedback to develop a national strategy to improve mental health and prevent and further minimise suicide. They want specifically to welcome Deaf people who have this past experience of suicide so they know how to better improve mental health and match our needs, as well. There is more information on how to join in the caption of the video.
Visual Description
Opening slide is a graphic is of dark brown text on an ivory background. Upper center has a Deaf Australia logo and “Chief Executive’s Update”. Text reads: “Deaf Mental Health: Video from Jen about EOI for co-design process”. Lower center has Roses in the Ocean and Australian Department of Health and Ages Care logos.
Video is of Jen signing the message below. Her manner is somber to match the serious nature of the content. She has curly red hair and is wearing glasses and a black t-shirt. She is outside standing against a brick wall.
Closing slide is a graphic of white text on a gradient blue and green background. Deaf Australia logo is at the top. Text reads: “Deaf Australia is a Deaf-led advocacy and information organisation in Australia representing all Deaf, Deafblind, hard-of-hearing people and other 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”.
Response to “Hear and Speak” ad on Brisbane bridge
Transcript
Hello, I’m Jen. This video is about the ad on the bridge in Brisbane, the one that said “Deaf children can hear and speak.” I have seen a lot of people in the Deaf community upset about this and they want Deaf Australia to do something about it. We have been keeping an eye on the situation. We will contact and make sure they understand our perspective. We still believe in advocating for all Deaf children using both Auslan and English, doesn’t matter if spoken or written. Or another language at home that they use. I wanted to let you know, please do continue to contact us through our email if you need anything. If you post on social media, sometimes we don’t see it. It’s better to email us directly at [email protected]. Thanks, bye!
Visual description
Jen is wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. She has curly red hair and is wearing glasses. She is standing outside in front of a fence with some green bushes and trees in the background.