National Week of Deaf People 2023

I'm excited to be part of the Deaf community, where we interact seamlessly, free from accessibility barriers. We share common life experiences as a close-knit community, and this mutual support empowers us to strengthen our community bonds.

 What is the Deaf community? It's akin to coming home, where everyone uses the same language to communicate fluently with each other. It's a place where you feel inclusivity, where everyone shares the same expressions—much like at home, where you feel comfortable expressing yourself using the beautiful language of Auslan.

When I engage in conversations with hearing people, there are often barriers. However, when I converse with deaf people, there are no barriers thanks to sign language, allowing for smooth and effortless communication.

I love being Deaf because of the community, Auslan, and the language. Through this language, I feel connected with everyone, regardless of their age. I feel truly privileged to be Deaf when I think about how beautiful Auslan is.

I love Auslan because it's unique, and I find the Deaf community lovely.

Reasons why the Deaf community is truly amazing include the fact that when I meet Deaf or hard of hearing individuals, we share similar life experiences, which allows us to connect and express ourselves with one another through Auslan.

Why do I love being Deaf? I love its community and the language, which allows me to communicate with a wide range of people, and that's incredibly amazing.

Why is it so good to be Deaf? 'Cause you can sign with people, and that's super fun!

What does 'inclusive' mean? It means that Deaf or hard of hearing individuals, regardless of their background, are all connected because they share the same culture, understand the frustrations of barriers, and feel involved in the community.

As a Deaf person, I embrace my identity as a member of the Deaf community. This connection grants me access to Auslan, a beautiful language. The provision of Auslan interpreters ensures that I have access to various places beyond the Deaf community.

Being a deaf person makes me truly unique. What makes it unique? Well, when I had friends come over to my home during my school years, they were amazed by the things we did, like stomping on the floor and having flashing lights, among many others. All of these experiences set us apart and hold a special place in my heart. They would go home and tell their families all about it.

Sign language is awesome because I can sign even when my mouth is full.

I love being Deaf because there's a community where sign language is our way of communication, making it easy for everyone to socialise. I enjoy catching up with people I haven't seen in a while, which gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling.

Being Deaf is awesome because I love Auslan and the ability to have long, enjoyable conversations and recollection about our pasts, which is so much fun.

I love Auslan. Coming to the Deaf Festival is an absolute blast! Do you enjoy it too? Yes, I enjoy it!

What does being Deaf mean to me? It's as essential as drinking water; just like you need water, I need the Deaf community because it's a part of me.

I love Auslan. I love the Deaf Festival because it's so much fun!

Why do I think being Deaf is just fabulous and the best? It gives me a boost and charges up my battery. Because I'm able to sign away in this rich Deaf culture, surrounded by my people, my world all around me. Without them, I'm nothing. I need and love using Auslan to communicate and mingle with people. I'm just so excited; oh, I have to go now. There are so many people out there. I need to say hello to some people I haven't seen for ages. Bye, sending kisses. I love you.

Visual description video: The opening slide has title "Building Inclusive Deaf Communities at Brisbane Deaf Festival 2023" in white text on a blue background. There are various yellow, green and purple shapes dancing around the title. The video has many diverse peoples signing about why they love Auslan, sign language and being Deaf. They are all standing in front of the new Deaf Flag. At the end, another slide with the blue background and dancing shapes appears again with Deaf Australia and National Week of Deaf People logos.

Visual description closing slides: First slide is same as opening slide with Jody Barney's headshot. The second is Deaf Australia informational 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”