Hearing Australia has announced the appointment of Professor Scott Avery to its board. The professor of Indigenous disability health and wellbeing in the School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney, is an Aboriginal man descendant from the Worimi people and profoundly deaf.
Prof Avery, who prefers to be known as Dr Scott, is a recognised educator, researcher and policy adviser on Indigenous cultural approaches for the inclusion of people with disability. He has extensive experience conducting community-based research and policy in Indigenous and disability organisations.
He also teaches Indigenous disability and inclusion which is grounded by his research that he conducts alongside the First Nations disability community.
He has a long-standing partnership with the First People’s Disability Network and advises on the intersection of Indigenous and disability issues in policy, including Closing the Gap and the Australian Disability Strategy.
Former Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Government Services Mr Bill Shorten appointed Prof Avery to the board.
“I’m excited about the skills and experience Dr Scott will bring to the board. His qualifications and lived experience with the challenges of hearing loss will enable him to make a significant contribution to Hearing Australia’s work,” Shorten said.
Board chair, Emeritus Deputy Chancellor of Macquarie University, Ms Elizabeth Crouch AM said: “Dr Scott’s connections with First Nations communities, along with those of Board Director Professor Currie, will add great depth to our work and our focus on improving the ear and hearing health of First Nations peoples.
“Dr Scott’s experience and leadership will ensure Hearing Australia continues to deliver high quality, life changing hearing services for all Australians.”
Hearing Australia said that in 2023-2024 it helped almost 250,000 clients across Australia, achieving satisfaction rates of 87%. “Each week we provide services to more than 10,000 infants, young children, adults, First Nations people, pensioners, and veterans.”
