The National Sign Language Program (NSLP) is extending to include sign language interpreting and captioning services for health and medical appointments from 1 July 2024.
The Department of Health and Aged Care provides the NSLP to support older deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The department said changes to the NSLP program were in addition to the support it already provided deaf older people to engage with aged care services, professional and social settings such as banking and attending weddings, funerals, clubs and cultural activities.
Currently people aged 65 and older without a NDIS plan book interpreting for medical appointments through the National Auslan Booking System. From July, bookings will instead be made for the NSLP through Deaf Connect which will deliver the services. Services will continue to be free.
Deaf Connect and Melbourne Polytechnic MOU
In other news, Deaf Connect announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Melbourne Polytechnic on 3 June, 2024 which paves the way for enhanced collaboration across a range of areas.
Deaf Connect said some of the greatest challenges facing Australia’s deaf community in the future would come from workforce training, sustainability and growth.
“Strong partnerships and collaboration are crucial to address these issues and Deaf Connect looks forward to working with Melbourne Polytechnic and other key stakeholders in the sector to address these issues and to deliver successful outcomes for the Australian deaf community,” it said.
Key focus areas include Auslan training and the workforce.
“Our organisations engage with similar cohorts within the wider deaf community,” Deaf Connect said. “This MOU provides us with the opportunity to explore various service delivery options, including accredited training in Auslan and Auslan translations, thereby enhancing the Auslan workforce.”
Co-location and a new office for Deaf Connect is also part of the new MOU. Deaf Connect will be co-locating with Melbourne Polytechnic at Prahran for the remainder of 2024 before moving to a new deaf-friendly space on the Collingwood campus in 2025.
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