2013Issue 41

May/June

Dalia teaching at a Sign Language class run by Vicdeaf. Photo Source: Vicdeaf.

A photo of the gardens at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. Photo Source: Vicdeaf.

The Victorian Auslan Training Consortium I am extremely pleased to announce that the Victorian Auslan Training Consortium (VATC), a partnership between Vicdeaf, NMIT and La Trobe University, has been successful in our tender to deliver Auslan training in Victoria for the next four years. This result follows many months of hard work on the part of the consortium following a successful community campaign lobbying the government to ensure the future of Auslan training in Victoria.

Christmas Rally venue announced! This year’s Christmas Rally will be held at…..

Old Cheese Factory at Berwick

It will be held on Sunday 1 December 2013 from 11am to 3pm. Book this date in your diary. Vicdeaf was impressed with the venue which has a large green lawn surrounded by pretty gardens and historical buildings. A large children’s playground is nearby and there is plenty of car parking.

We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Christmas Rally!

• MIJA GWYN

The Victorian Government is committed to delivering new and flexible ways of teaching Auslan across the State; reducing barriers for professional people who wish to study Auslan and for people who live in regional areas who are unable to attend in a traditional classroom environment.

NMIT’s role will be to manage and run the contract and deliver the Auslan courses; La Trobe University’s role will be to assist in curriculum development and professional development for teachers; while Vicdeaf’s role, through the Communication & Community Relations Department, will be to:

• Chair the VATC Steering Committee; which will consist of representatives from the Deaf community, interpreting industry, Auslan teachers, etc.

• Develop video resources for the course

• Deliver a communications strategy to include the Deaf community in the delivery of Auslan training

• Tailor our community Auslan courses to become a pathway to accredited Auslan training

This is an exciting time for Auslan training in Victoria and I am pleased that Vicdeaf will play a key role over the next three and a half years. I also wish to recognise the outstanding work of Kangan Institute in delivering Auslan training over the last 25+ years – many of our staff here at Vicdeaf are graduates from Kangan Institute.

• CHRISTINE MATHIESON

Inside Page 3: Promote your skills on Specialist Skills RegisterPage 4: World Federation of the Deaf information updatesPage 11: New NRS services coming soon

CommunicateA newsletter for the Victorian Deaf and hard of hearing community

For more information, please go to www.vicdeaf.com.au/vatc

SLC VIC hosts interpreting industry event On Wednesday 22 May, SLC VIC hosted a function for Victorian Auslan/English interpreters. Approximately 50 were in attendance.

The function was aimed at informing the industry of recent changes to SLC VIC’s leadership structure, with Chris Mathieson (Vicdeaf CEO), Brent Phillips (Manager – Communication & Community Relations, SLC VIC) and Karen Thistlethwaite (Senior Coordinator, SLC VIC) outlining the recent changes in SLC VIC and key objectives for the next year in terms of engagement with interpreters and supporting the industry’s development.

• BRENT PHILLIPS

Photo: Karen, Chris and Brent at SLC VIC’s interpreting industry event. Photo Source: Vicdeaf.

Report from the CEO It’s been another couple of extremely busy months for us here at Vicdeaf; with the announcement of the tender result for Auslan training in Victoria, the launch of the NDIS trial in the Barwon region fast approaching; and much more happening internally in the lead up to the end of the financial year.

The Victorian Auslan Training Consortium Editor note: Please see front page.

DisabilityCare (NDIS)Earlier in May I travelled to Canberra to take part in a meeting between the Australian Federation of Deaf Societies (AFDS) CEO’s, David Bowen, CEO of the NDIS Launch Transition Agency and Ken Baker, CEO of National Disability

Services (NDS). We had a very informative and constructive meeting, focusing on considerations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in the scheme.

In the lead up to our meeting the State and Commonwealth Governments made a number of key announcements detailing funding commitments for the trial as well as for the full roll out in the 2019-2020 financial year. The NDIS will be jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments, with the Victorian Government committing $224 million in this year’s budget towards the launch in Victoria1, and the Commonwealth Government providing $1 billion towards the launch nationwide. By the time the full implementation takes place in 2019-2020 this commitment is expected to increase to around $2.5 billion per annum from the Victorian State Government and around $2.6 billion per annum allocated for Victoria in the federal budget.2

As well as changing the way individuals receive support, the introduction of the NDIS also signals a significant shift for disability service providers in the way they are funded to deliver services. This is likely to include changes to the way that Vicdeaf receives funding and delivers services. We are aiming to be as proactive as possible in ensuring that we realise and maximise the potential opportunities within the scheme, and advocate effectively for the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing people. As of July this year Vicdeaf will be participating in the trial through our Case

Management service in Geelong and with hearservice offering services one day per week from the office located at Pakington Street, Newtown.

There are sure to be many more announcements in regards to the NDIS over the coming months and I look forward to keeping you informed - watch this space!

Disability Services Commissioner Visit The Disability Services Commissioner, Laurie Harkin, visited Vicdeaf on 22 April where we updated the Commissioner on improvements to Vicdeaf’s feedback and complaints handling processes.

With that in mind, I would like to remind everyone that I welcome any feedback, ideas for improvement or complaints you might have and you can view our complaints handling process in Auslan on the Vicdeaf website. Any feedback you may wish to offer will be treated confidentially.

If you have concerns about services you have received (through Vicdeaf or another organisation) the Disability Services Commissioner provides a free and independent advice and complaints resolution service and you can view their website including contact details at www.odsc.vic.gov.au

• CHRISTINE MATHIESON

Christine Mathieson

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1 Victorian Government Press Release ‘$224 million to support Victorians with disability’, available online at http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/6731-224-million-to-support-victorians-with-disability.html

2 Heads of Agreement between the Commonwealth and the Victorian Government on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, available online at: http://www.ndis.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Signed-HoA-with-Victoria.pdf

Editorial Hello and welcome to the May/June issue of Communicate.

This August, Deaf Professionals Network will organise a brand new leadership workshop facilitated by Marnie Kerridge. Marnie is well known in the Deaf community as a Teacher of the Deaf and for her involvement with Deaf sports and advocacy.

In 2012, Marnie participated in the Leadership Ballarat and Western Region (LBWR) program. For a year, the LBWR team met various stakeholders in the community at federal, state and local level. They explored issues and solutions and analysed leadership styles.

Marnie developed a greater appreciation for the decision making process, the value of getting different perspectives and being a good listener. Marnie will

Vicdeaf Information Centre The Vicdeaf Information Centre is open to everyone and is manned by friendly staff from the Community Programs team.

Everyone is welcome to drop in and ask for information relating to Vicdeaf services, the Deaf community and deafness in general. There are not many things we don’t know about! Even hearing visitors can ask about Sign Language community classes and talk about ways to support Vicdeaf.

There is a public TTY, and a computer with webcam and printer for people to use free of charge. Skype and Oovoo have been installed for visual communication. A television plays various short clips of useful information in Auslan. Lounges are provided for people who want to rest or wait. Many brochures full of information can be collected here.

It is a great place and very easy to visit, just five minutes walk from Parliament Station. It is located on the ground floor at 340 Albert Street, East Melbourne. Everyone is always welcome, even for a chat. Open hours are Monday-Friday 10am-4pm.

If the Centre is not open when you visit, you can always go to Vicdeaf Reception at Level 4. The open hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

show the participants in the workshops how to apply those and other qualities of being a good leader in the Deaf community.

The workshops will be held over four consecutive Sundays at F. J. Rose Auditorium at Deaf Children Australia, 597 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

These workshops are limited to only 20 Deaf people wanting to develop their leadership skills. Book early to avoid missing out!

Enjoy reading Communicate and keep warm this winter.

• MICHAEL PARREMORE - EDITOR

Submission deadlines for 2013• Monday 15 July• Monday 9 September• Wednesday 20 November

SUBMISSIONS WELCOME Email us at: info@vicdeaf.com.au

Michael Parremore

Specialist Skills Register now online Vicdeaf is proud to support, encourage and promote the specialist skills of Deaf and hard of hearing Victorians.

You may be an architect, painter or teacher – we want to share your skills with everyone in the community.

The register is designed to put the Deaf and hard of hearing community in touch with people who can offer

their services in a clear, familiar and comfortable way.

You may already work for someone or a company, but you can use this register to find extra work or let people know you have skills to offer.

All you need to do is email your name, your list of skills, your SMS number and email address to info@vicdeaf.com.au

The Specialist Skills Register can be seen on the ‘Your Community’ section of our website.

Vicdeaf’s Natalie Sandon greets Cheryl Rankine and Pepita Anell. Photo Source: Vicdeaf

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The 2nd International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf is being held in Sydney from 16 - 18 October 2013.

The theme of the Conference is ‘equality for deaf people’. There will be a particular focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The keynote presenters are Raghav Bir Joshi, businessman, leader and activist for deaf people in Nepal, Rosemary Kayess, a human rights lawyer from the University of NSW and Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the United States Department of State.

There will be four presentation streams:

• Equality in the community

• Equality in youth and education

• Advocating for equality

• Equality in language and linguistics

World Federation of the Deaf - Youth Section board members to visit Melbourne

2nd International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf

Raghav Bir Joshi All Photos Source: Deaf Society of NSW.

Rosemary Kayes

Presenters will be from all around the world including Africa, Asia, America and Europe. There will be a panel discussion by deaf MPs around the world including Mojo Mathers from New Zealand.

The venue is the Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney. The Welcome Reception will be at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Conference Dinner will be at The Ivy.

Official languages of the Conference are English, Australian Sign Language and International Sign. Real time English captions will be provided for all events and presentations.

The Centenary of the Deaf Society of NSW will be celebrated after the Conference on 19 & 20 October.

In October, the Victorian Deaf community will host two young international Deaf guests, Ana Navas from Spain and Jannicke Kvitvaer from Norway. They are board members of the World Federation of the Deaf - Youth Section.

Ana and Jannicke are coming to Australia to attend the 2nd International Conference of the World Federation of Deaf, which will take place in Sydney. Before the conference, they will visit Melbourne for a few days on October 10 – 12. They will meet the Victorian Deaf community at a range of events to share their experiences from their countries and World Federation of the Deaf - Youth Section.

The 2013 Business Breakfast is one of the events where Ana and Jannicke will be speaking. The Business Breakfast

will be hosted by Deaf Professionals Network on Friday 11 October at the Victoria University City Convention Centre on Flinders Street in the city – mark this date down in your diaries!

We will have more information soon about what will be happening when Ana and Jannicke visit, so make sure you keep an eye on our website and Under the Gaslight and Communicate newsletters.

• MIJA GWYN

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Early bird registrations close on 1 August 2013.

For more information: www.wfdsydney2013.com or email: wfdsydney2013@icms.com.au

• KATE MATAIRAVULA – DEAF SOCIETY OF NSW

In April, Tradeblock Café launched a new iPad app. The app, called Tradeblock Café, is designed to allow hearing customers and Deaf hospitality staff to communicate more effectively. This will ensure that orders are made accurately and lead to increased confidence for Deaf staff and higher customer satisfaction.

Here is an example of how it works:

1. Hearing customer wants to order coffee, taps on iPad and finds ‘coffee’ on the app, plays the Auslan video.

2. Deaf staff receives order in Auslan, wants to know how many teaspoons of sugar, she taps on the iPad and finds ‘sugar’.

3. The patron sees the message, simply says ‘yes’ and holds up two fingers.

4. Staff goes to make coffee with two sugars.

For the last five years, the Victorian College of the Deaf (VCD) has operated a highly successful work-focussed training program for Years 11 and 12 Deaf students studying Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning. Tradeblock Café opens to the school community and many deaf organisations that operate within the local area as well as to the public.

VCD recognised the need to improve communications between hearing customers and Deaf staff when placing an order. VCD then developed a partnership with MadCap Café and Australian Communication Exchange with support from The Australian Centre for Social Innovation with the aim to develop an iPad app to enhance the communication between customers and staff.

VCD Principal Maureen Douglas is proud of the success of Tradeblock Cafe

New app at Tradeblock Cafe

and is also pleased with the launch of the new app.

“The Tradeblock Café app will assist our students to develop skills in the workplace and inspire hearing customers to learn Auslan.” Maureen said.

Phil Harper from Australian Communication Exchange was excited with the new technology, which he believes will open more doors for Deaf workers.

“This app has the potential to be used in the employment sector as a communication tool to increase opportunities for Deaf people to find and keep their jobs.” – Phil Harper

Natasha Ravlich from Deaf Victoria attended the launch, tried out the app herself and enjoyed seeing the benefits.

“The new app provides a fantastic opportunity for Deaf people interested in a hospitality career such as working

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Rebecca, a VCD student uses the app to takes an order from a hearing customer. All Photos Source: Vicdeaf.

“This app has the potential to be used in the employment sector as a communication tool to increase opportunities for Deaf people to find and keep their jobs.” – Phil Harper

in cafes. They can communicate to customers which boosts their confidence. It also gives them the chance to broaden their career opportunities. The app is great for customers to communicate with Deaf staff and teaches them Auslan.”

The best way to fully understand the app is to come to the café and try it out. You can also stay and enjoy a coffee and refreshments made by the students.

• MICHAEL PARREMORE

The Tradeblock Café app on an iPad.

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Eileen and Ian Peters are proud new owners of Lewis, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel/Beagle crossbreed dog. Every fortnight, Lewis enjoys the attention from members of the Victorian Deaf Senior Citizens Club, which Eileen presides over.

In late 2012, Eileen visited her GP who told Eileen to buy a dog to keep her active. Eileen fretted at the thought of having to train a puppy, until one friend told her about specially trained dogs from Lions Hearing Dogs.

Lions Hearing Dogs is a not-for-profit organisation that provides highly trained hearing dogs for Deaf and hard of hearing people around Australia. Lions Hearing Dogs are sponsored by the Lions Clubs throughout Australia. Lions Hearing Dogs has trained and supplied over 500 dogs to Deaf and hard of hearing people since 1982.

These dogs are trained to respond to sounds in the home by touching their owners with a paw – things like a knock on the door, a baby crying or telephone ringing. Most importantly, hearing dogs alert their owners to life-saving sounds such as a smoke alarm.

Not only do these dogs offer safety, security and independence for Deaf and hard of hearing owners at home, they also give owners the confidence to participate more in the community. Hearing dogs are not just working dogs, they give years of very faithful and friendly companionship.

Hearing dogs are treated in public similar to Guide dogs, they are allowed public access such as public transport and restaurants.

Because it costs around $30,000 to train one dog, Lions Hearing Dogs has a strict eligibility criteria to ensure these dogs are supplied appropriately. Eileen was able to complete this process, which required a visit to the doctor and audiologist to prove her eligibility and fitness to care for a pet.

Last October, Eileen submitted an application form and reference letter. Her application was approved in January and by late February, Lewis arrived.

Life in the Peters household is a much happier one for Eileen, 71 and Ian, 73. Eileen claims Lewis follows her everywhere and has already alerted Eileen to a few sounds in the home. Lewis even alerted Eileen to a huntsman spider crawling on the ceiling in her lounge room.

“Friendship isn’t about those I have known the longest, it’s about those who come and never leave my side”, Eileen said.

• MICHAEL PARREMORE

Hearing dog a great companion

Eileen and Ian Peters take Lewis out for a walk. All Photos Source: Vicdeaf.

Lewis wears bright orange so people know it’s a hearing dog.

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In March 2013, I went on a lifelong dream to work with rescued and orphaned orangutans in an Orangutan Rehabilitation Project at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in the Kablil – Sepilok Forest Reserve, a 4,500 hectare rainforest in Sabah, Borneo.

I joined a group of 12 volunteers from all over the world, including a qualified Auslan interpreter from Melbourne. We were broken into three groups to work in weekly rotations during our placement. Our work responsibilities focused in three different areas: indoor nursery, outdoor nursery and field survey/enrichment.

In the first week, my group started in field survey/enrichment, trekking in the rainforest with the assistance of a ranger to search for wild orangutans and record the number/age of orangutan nests. This was an amazing experience – I was drenched with sweat and saw all sorts of fascinating living species, especially leeches! Once a hungry leech sneaked under my shirt and had a good feed before I found out!

The indoor nursery is home to baby orangutans from a few months to around four years old. The duties involves transferring the baby orangutans from their sleeping cages to the play cages, cleaning the sleeping cages, preparation of food, feeding bottled formula milk, enrichment, play and climbing exercises in the nursery area. The outdoor nursery is home to juveniles aged between 5-8. The duties involved is similar to the indoor nursery however slightly different to ensure the rehabilitated process is with minimal hands on contact to ensure the juveniles do not become reliant on humans and this encourages them to learn how to survive in the wild.

After a week, unfortunately due to civil unrest in the Eastern Sabah region we were advised to evacuate the area to ensure our safety. Fortunately, on our last day before we were due to leave, my group was given the opportunity to work directly with the infants and juvenile orangutans. They are such a fascinating species I have grown to love dearly.

It was heartbreaking leaving the orangutans however I aim to return to Sepilok to fulfil my dream once again.

I would like to thank my supporters and sponsors at Vicdeaf, Auslan Services and Nature Direct for their support and generosity towards such a good cause.

If you would like to adopt an orangutan residing at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre to help with their rehabilitation, you can donate on www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk.

• SARAH DAVIES

Orangutan Rehabilitation Project

Orangutans at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, Borneo

Sarah working with a beautiful rescued tiny 2 year old orangutan named Baryl. Baryl was cruelly taken from his mother. Mothers’ whereabouts is unknown, possibly killed. All Photos Source: Sarah Davies

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It is not very well known that RACV members who are Deaf or hard of hearing can send a text message to RACV Emergency Roadside Assistance when their car breaks down.

In fact, this has happened for a number of years now. However, the RACV has started a new process to ensure that Deaf and hard of hearing people remain a priority for this particular service. This means there is a new SMS number. The old number is no longer used.

Glendonald Association Inc. has launched a new website where you can go online and view information about Glendonald Association Inc. and Casey Deaf Club.

www.caseyconnect.net.au/glendonald

An RACV technician providing assistance to a motorist whose car has broken down. Photo Source: RACV

SMS for RACV Roadside Assistance

Glendonald Association Inc. launches website

If you are Deaf or hard of hearing – and also an RACV member – you will need to register to use this service.

Here’s how:

1. Go to www.racv.com.au

2. Click on ‘Roadside Assistance’ (second menu item)

3. Click on ‘Assistance by SMS’ (ninth on the list)

4. Fill in the form as required and click ‘Submit’

5. RACV will text you their new number (allow up to 2 business days)

6. Store the number in your contacts list on your mobile phone

Membership forms, community noticeboard items and previous newsletter editions all can be downloaded. Or enjoy the photo gallery and find out what’s on.

For more information about Glendonald Association Inc. or Casey Deaf Club, send an email to: glendonald25@hotmail.com

• MICHAEL PARREMORE

Next time your car breaks down, you can simply text the RACV and provide the following details:

• Your RACV member number and/or car registration number

• Your exact location

• The make, model and colour of your vehicle

• Your contact phone number

• The nature of your problem (e.g. mechanical, flat tyre, flat battery, etc)

Should you have any problems, you can contact the RACV on 13 72 28 via the National Relay Service.

• MICHAEL PARREMORE

Joanne Williams (left) and Rosie Maher at the Glendonald Assocation Inc. stall at 2012 Deaf Expo. Photo Source: Vicdeaf.

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SensWide Employment is a specialist job support service for people that have a hearing loss.

At SensWide, we understand that losing your hearing can have an impact on your life, in particular your work life.

A SensWide Employment Consultant can provide specialised support and assistance strategies to improve your work life.

SensWide Employment has over 20 years experience assisting people across Melbourne to find and keep the job they want, as well as offering advice and support.

Our aim is to make the adjustment to a hearing loss at work as simple as possible, and minimise the impact on you and your colleagues.

At SensWide Employment we offer the following services at no cost:

• Providing a comprehensive hearing test to best understand your level of hearing loss

• Assistance with applying for free Commonwealth-funded hearing aids through the Hearing Voucher Program

• Conducting a workplace assessment to identify the tasks of your role and to ensure all OH&S requirements are being met

• Recommendation of technology that will assist you in your workplace (based on the workplace assessment)

• Assistance with applying for funding through the Employment Assistance Program to help fund any new devices or technology

• Ongoing sessions with your consultant to discuss issues as they arise

• Organising a Hearing Awareness Training session, which is helpful for learning different communication strategies.

• SensWide Employment can also support you to find a job through our tailored employment program.

Contact us

For a free, no obligation chat to see what we can do for you, contact us:

Phone: (03) 8620 7155 TTY: (03) 9614 3062 Email: info@senswide.com.au Web: www.senswide.com.au

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) and Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) have collaborated to provide the ‘OpenMi Tours’ cultural access smartphone app at the current Monet’s Garden exhibition.

A series of paintings by famous artist, Claude Monet is in display at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) for an exhibition titled Monet’s Garden. Monet is regarded as the finest painter of impressionism with many of his paintings devoted to Monet’s garden at Giverny in France. Monet’s paintings were from 1922 to 1926 (Monet died in 1926). His paintings provide an insight into Monet’s life inspired by family, travel and the French countryside, especially his garden at Giverny. The exhibition will run until September 8, 2013.

This second-time collaboration gives more communication preferences to experience the exhibition - Auslan with captions, Audio with captions and Audio Description. Audio description aims to

meet the needs of those who are Blind or have low vision. The information on the app tells stories of Monet’s life as an artist, and gives details of the artwork. The content can be downloaded and viewed via OpenMi Tours app on a smartphone or tablet. This gives Deaf and hard of hearing people the option to visit Monet’s Garden exhibition at NGV and view the captioned Auslan version while browsing through the gallery.

Don’t forget to tell your family and friends about the exhibition. More information about OpenMi Tours can be found on www.openmi.com.au/tours. Further information about Monet’s Garden can be found on www.ngv.vic.gov.au

• MICHAEL PARREMORE

SensWide Employment – What we can do for you

OpenMi Tours provide accessibility to Monet’s Garden exhibition

Natasha Ravlich and Melissa Lowrie from Deaf Victoria, Tom McCaul from Better Hearing Australia (VIC), Sarah Magoffin and Phil Harper from ACE attends Monet’s Garden exhibition with Michael Parremore. Photo Source: Vicdeaf.

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Fortnightly

Yosef’s* story is one of triumphing over difficulty, despite the odds, thanks to the support of Vicdeaf.

Yosef was born in Ethiopia into a family of six – the only deaf sibling in a country where no support is offered to people who are deaf and opportunities are limited for all.

Yosef’s requests to marry the woman he loved were continually denied by his father and she was moved away to Australia by her family. However she sent secret letters back to Yosef and told him of the fantastic support offered by Vicdeaf to her and their son. Despite the fact that Yosef did not have permission to marry her, he realised that the future his family had in Australia was greater than what they would have in Africa and determined to join them.

We are proud to say that there is much that Vicdeaf has since offered to Yosef and his family, including the opportunity to learn to communicate in Auslan; to learn skills to live independently; to take charge of their lives; and to access medical assistance with the support of an Auslan interpreter.

In the last few years, Vicdeaf has offered the following support to Yosef and his family:

• Yosef and his family have learned Auslan through our “Auslan for Deaf Migrants” program and through one on one case management

• Yosef has learned to drive through a drivers learning program for people who are deaf

Yosef’s Story – Tax Appeal

Tax Appeal Donation Form

• Yosef and his family have learned how to use the public transport system confidently

• Yosef has completed his Certificate II in Furniture Making and Finishing with Victoria University and is currently working with SensWide Employment, our disability employment service, to find a job to provide for his family.

Yosef is one of the many inspirational people Vicdeaf has the honour of working with.

Without your kindness, the great work that Vicdeaf does - the support that we are able to offer Yosef and his family - would not be possible.

If you are able to be a part of the services that Vicdeaf provides, please support us now.

Donations can be made using the coupon below or on our website at www.vicdeaf.com.au.

*The name has been changed to protect identity

Completed coupons can be posted to us at:

Vicdeaf Level 4, 340 Albert Street East Melbourne, VIC 3002

Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible and go a long way to our vision of access and equity for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

Yosef is raising his family here in Australia, thanks to some of the support he receives from Vicdeaf. Photo Source: Vicdeaf.

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National Relay Service to launch new services

Donna Dettman will soon use the SMS relay service on her mobile phone. All Photos Source: Vicdeaf.

Veronique Swan will soon enjoy using the video relay service, using Auslan to make and receive phone calls.

The NRS will launch two new relay call options from 1 July. They are:

• New SMS relay service - This will allow NRS users to make SMS-based calls to someone using an ordinary phone and also access emergency services through the NRS via SMS message on their mobile phones.

• New video relay service -This will allow Deaf Australians who communicate through Auslan to make and receive phone calls.

About the SMS relay service

• If you want to use SMS relay, you will need a mobile phone. You can use SMS relay at any time. The cost depends on the type of plan you have for your mobile phone. SMS relay is best used for simple two or three turn conversations, but it is not a real-time process due to the unreliability of SMS technology and mobile phone coverage.

• In emergencies, SMS relay should be a last resort call due to the nature of SMS technology. TTY calls to 106 or internet relay calls to 000 are likely to be more reliable.

How does it work?

• A caller will send a text (SMS) to a new NRS access number for SMS calls.

• The initial content of ordinary (non-emergency) SMS calls should include:

• the number you want the NRS to call, and

• an opening greeting or message, eg “Hello Mark, this is Robyn”, or “Hi, I’d like to order a large pepperoni pizza please. My name is Dexter. When will it be ready?” The more information that can be included in this initial message the quicker the call will be.

• If someone wants to call emergency services, they would:

• give 000 as the number they want to call in their initial text (once received by the NRS this will trigger priority over all other NRS calls in the queue),

• ask for the particular service (ambulance, police, fire brigade) they need, and

• give the address or location of the emergency.

• The SMS will go to a relay officer who will relay the call with the recipient of the call in the same way as other NRS calls. Emergency calls will be put through to 000 and the relay officer will stay on the line to continue relaying the call.

About the Video relay service

• If you want to use Video relay on Skype (a free third-party video conferencing and instant messaging application), you will need a fast computer with good quality webcam

and internet connection with download and upload speed of 1.5 Megabits per second minimum.

• The call costs will be free. You will be connecting to the internet and thus using broadband data. How you are charged for this data will depend on the plan you have with your internet service provider.

• Video relay will be available 7am to 6pm (AEST time) Monday to Friday except for national public holidays.

How does it work?

• Auslan users will need to log in to Skype (or for new users, sign up)

• They will then contact the NRS Skype name, where they will be connected by video link to a relay officer.

• The relay officer will then connect by phone to the hearing person and relay the call between the parties.

• A call can also be initiated by a hearing person who will ring the NRS on a special access number (1300 149 715) and be connected via a relay officer to the NRS user by requesting their Skype name.

• For more information, go to the NRS helpdesk on www.relayservice.gov.au

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The 22nd Summer Deaflympics will be held at Sofia, Bulgaria from 26 July - 4 August, 2013. Deaf Sports Australia will send an Australian Team of 36 people, including 25 athletes, to compete in athletics, cycling, swimming, tennis, ten-pin bowling and basketball.

Chef de Mission Gavin Balharrie will lead the Australian Team for the first time at the Deaflympic Games, having gained much experience in leading a team to the 2012 Asia Pacific Deaf Games.

Gavin is hoping that Australia will bring home a few medals.

“Melinda Vernon is the current Deaflympic Champion in 5,000m and 10,000m and is currently competing and training well.”

“Amy-Lea Mills has won gold in Javelin and cyclist Reece Emerson Van Beek has won medals, including gold in the Time Trial and Points races. They will put that experience to good use.”

“Glen Flindell is the current Asia Pacific Deaf Games gold medallist in singles tennis, and will partner with Stephen Swann in doubles, with both having won silver medals in the Asia Pacific too.” Gavin said.

The Australian Team will leave Australia on 20 July and arrive Sofia on 21 July. The Team will spend five days acclimatising and preparing for the competition. They will stay at Hotel Princess in Sofia and will depart on 5 August after the Games.

Eighteen-year-old Victorian, Shane Crick will represent Australia in basketball, a sport he has played for eleven years.

Shane currently plays for the Melbourne Tigers Under 20s, coached by Mark Gaze, a cousin of Andrew Gaze. Melbourne Tigers U20s plays in the top division of the Victorian Junior Basketball Championship. He has represented Australia in the 2012 Asia Pacific Deaf Games, his first time at an international level. Shane also played in the National Deaf Basketball Club Competition for Melbourne City three times.

Shane is very excited at the opportunity to represent Australia at the Games, with the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf giving Australia a call-up to participate after Spain’s late withdrawal.

“I’m so rapt. I’m excited, the closer it gets, the more excited I get. It’s my first Deaflympic Games. I can’t wait to get out there, and to represent the green and gold and to play against the other top teams in the world” Shane said.

Sofia 2013 Deaflympics website: www.sofia2013.com Deaf Sports Australia website: www.deafsports.org.au Facebook: Click ‘like’ on Deaf Sports Australia Facebook page Twitter: Follow Deaf Sports Australia @deafsportsaus

• MICHAEL PARREMORE

Australia prepares for Deaflympics

Victorian Deaf Society Level 4, 340 Albert Street, East Melbourne, VIC 3002. TTY: (03) 9473 1199; Voice: (03) 9473 1111; Fax: (03) 9473 1122; Email: info@vicdeaf.com.au. Toll-free for country people: TTY: 1300 780 235; Voice: 1300 780 225.

Vicdeaf office hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. Regional offices: Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Sale and Wangaratta.

Patrons: Alex Chernov AC QC and Mrs. Elizabeth Chernov.

Shane takes a shot against Japan at the 2012 Asia Pacific Deaf Games.

Shane Crick in his Australian uniform before the 2012 Asia Pacific Deaf Games. All Photos Source: Shane Crick

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