A: We are the state branch of Deaf Australia (formerly the Australian Association of the Deaf). We recently changed our name following Deaf Australia in March 2009. Previously we were called New South Wales Association of the Deaf.We were first formed in 1930, but in those days, we were called Deaf General Committee (DGC). In 1986, we changed our name to NSW Council of the Deaf, following the split of the old DGC into two organizations: one for consumers, and the other for sports. Then in 1988 we changed our name to New South Wales Association of the Deaf, to avoid confusion with the Australian Deafness Council.
Q: Where is Deaf Australia (New South Wales) located?
A: Our office is in North Rocks, near Parramatta in Sydney, NSW. Our members can be found all over NSW.
Q: What does Deaf Australia (New South Wales) do?
A: We work in several ways:
| Liaison - We work with other organisations with common goals. |
| Information dissemination - We maintain this website and publish four issues of our magazine publication, Silent Messenger, each year. |
| Events - We organise events for the Deaf community to attend. We try to organise 4-5 big events each year with a few smaller ones for specific groups (for example: youth). |
| Education and Advocacy - We liaise with and lobby to the Department of Education, Department of Transport and other governmental departments and organisations to make sure that Deaf people get what they need. |
Q: How is Deaf Australia (New South Wales) funded?
A: We have fundraising events and apply for grants for specific projects when we can.
Q: How many members does Deaf Australia (New South Wales) have?
A: As at October 2006, we have approximately 200 members.
We formed the Concerned Deaf Group set up in the year of 1986. We were concerned about the education Deaf children were receiving, Concerned Deaf Group was found by the late Dorothy Shaw. Dr Trevor Johnston (nephew of Dorothy) was teaching English to migrants and thought that the Deaf language should be considered as a minority language. That was how the seed was planted and this innovative group was formed.'
Nola then gives a quote she has written in her book called Signs of Change :
"Dorothy led a small group of Deaf and hearing supporters in 1984 in forming the Concerned Deaf Group whose aim was to gain acceptance of Total Communication as a philosophy that would ensure deaf children had equitable access to education. The Concerned Deaf Group also lobbied for qualified interpreters and note takers within tertiary education institutions so that Deaf people could pursue further education at TAFE and universities. The group actively promoted Auslan as a community language in its own right and was instrumental in having it recognized in the National Language Policy.
When the Concerned Deaf Group folded up in 1991, these concerns were taken up by the NSW Association of the Deaf. Each state now has its own Association which comes together under the umbrella of the Australian Association for the Deaf (AAD). The AAD speaks on the behalf of the Deaf in Australia that on issues such as education, access and equal opportunity. Part of the role is to lobby the government and the media".
We thank Nola for the letter she sent us and for giving us permission to have an excerpt here on the website.
As Deaf Australia (New South Wales) is a state branch of Deaf Australia, we operate under the same policies which guide Deaf Australia. To have a look at their policies click here for their website www.deafau.org.au
Copyright © 2005. Deaf Australia (NSW) 2009