Ahead of the Federal Election, Deaf Connect is calling for a national commitment to accessibility, and a federal review to ensure Auslan is systematically recognised within all government language policies, programs and media.
Mr Brett Casey, Deaf Connect CEO, said that while hearing Australians had access to important updates in their preferred language around the clock, Deaf Australians were often left with limited, delayed, or no information in their first (sign) language.
“A federal mandate would ensure Auslan (Australian Sign Language) access is not dependent on which state you live in, or which government is in power at the time. It would be a major step toward equity and national consistency,” Casey told Hearing Practitioner Australia.
“A national approach would guarantee that Deaf Australians have equal access to crucial information when it’s needed the most.
“This includes guaranteed Auslan interpreters at national and state press conferences, and other information such as budget papers, voting instructions, and press releases.”
Deaf Connect is also calling for increased collaboration with media outlets, government agencies, and community organisations to ensure that Auslan is built into the fabric of Australian society.
“We look forward to future government and industry collaboration to make sure Deaf Australians can access the stories, events, and decisions that shape their world – in their first language,” Casey said.
Not just during emergencies
He said Australians had become used to seeing Auslan interpreters during national emergencies such as cyclones, bushfires, and pandemics – and while that was important, it was also some of the only content regularly accessible to the Deaf community.
“Inclusivity shouldn’t be an afterthought,” he said. “It was fantastic to see the New South Wales and Queensland Governments provide interpreters during Cyclone Alfred, but that level of access is still the exception, not the norm.
“Deaf Australians are legally required to vote, yet they rarely have equal access to the political information needed to make informed choices. From election debates to candidate policies, these are all things hearing people can easily engage with – but that same content is rarely made available in Auslan.”
Casey said Deaf community members had long raised concerns about the lack of Auslan in government policy and mainstream media, particularly around important news, politics, and current affairs. The absence of consistent access left many feeling excluded from conversations that impacted their lives, he added.
Deaf Connect said that for many Deaf Australians and others who struggled to communicate using verbal language, Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is more than just a means of conversing – it is a fundamental part of their self-expression, shaping their relationships and preserving their cultural heritage.
Auslan is more than a language for communication, it’s central to identity, the organisation said. For many in the Deaf community, it provides clarity and depth of expression in a visual format.
Ms Sharlene Payn, one of Deaf Connect’s dedicated Auslan trainers, said that being Deaf meant belonging to a vibrant community with a unique cultural identity, traditions, and a deep linguistic heritage.
“For me, Auslan is an important part of my identity. With Auslan, I can fully convey everything I’m thinking and feeling. When I’m having conversations with others, I’m able to put everything on the table,” she said.
“I use Auslan as my first language because it allows me to fully express who I am.”
Record enrolments for Auslan classes
She said increasing numbers of students were undertaking Auslan classes at Deaf Connect, many of whom came from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wide range of experiences into the classroom.
“From doctors, nurses, and speech pathologists to parents of deaf children, young students, and retirees — I love sharing Auslan and Deaf culture with them,” Payn said.
Deaf Connect said growing interest in learning Auslan was reflected in its record course enrolments, which had increased significantly in the past year and often spiked during emergencies such as natural disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a registered provider of casual and accredited Auslan classes, more than 6,500 students enrolled in Deaf Connect’s Auslan courses in 2023–2024.
“It’s a sign of the language’s growing visibility, but visibility alone doesn’t guarantee access,” the organisation said.
“Raising the profile and accessibility of Auslan ensures that Australia’s Deaf community can stay informed and connected. This begins with increasing access to information in their first language, and respecting their linguistic human rights.”
