The Australian Federation of Deaf Societies (AFDS) was established in 1966 to meet the needs of organisations providing services to the Australian Deaf Community.

AFDS believes that people who are Deaf or hard of hearing should enjoy the same political, civil and human rights as other members of the community. AFDS promotes these rights by:

• giving our member organisations the opportunity to network and share their expertise and resources as service providers at a national level
• providing a focal point for issues relating to the provision of services to our clients to be raised with the Australian government and with other national organisations in order to influence public policy
• working in partnership with other organisations in the deafness sector in lobbying for the equal rights of people who are Deaf or hard of hearing
• providing services and undertaking research funded at a national level

Member organisations include:

• The Deaf Society of NSW
• Victorian Deaf Society (VicDeaf)
• Tasmanian Deaf Society (TasDeaf)
• Western Australian Deaf Society (WA Deaf)
• Royal South Australian Deaf Society (Deaf Can Do)
• Deaf Services Queensland

The Deaf Society of NSW’s involvement with AFDS
As a member organisation of AFDS, The Deaf Society of NSW strongly supports the principles and activities of AFDS. The Deaf Society of NSW has made valuable contributions to AFDS inquiry submissions, developed key relationships with Federal and State government departments, as well as conducted government-commissioned research projects and activities.

The Deaf Society of NSW values the opportunity to be involved with AFDS, both as a peak body for service providers within Australia, and as a central forum and network for state deaf societies throughout Australia to discuss policy, issues, service provision and to provide liaison with other peak bodies involved with the Australian Deaf Community.

The Deaf Society of NSW also hosts the AFDS Policy and Strategy Co-ordinator.