Our History

See information for the period:

Before 1913

Deaf people met around a street lamp post in Newtown. Later, Deaf adults met together at St Alban's Church, Darlington.

1913 - 1929

Oct 1913

Public meeting in the Sydney Town Hall resolved to form an association, the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of New South Wales “to take on the spiritual, intellectual, moral and social needs of these afflicted people.

The Adult Deaf and Dumb Society rented rooms at 433 Pitt Street, Sydney and later moved to other venues, including the Sydney Protestant Hall and Daking House. Later, land was bought in Redfern.

Aug 1922

Adult Deaf and Dumb Society was incorporated under the Companies Act.

During this time, services centred on religious education.

Deaf people began organising themselves into various sporting and interest groups but had very little say in the management of the Society itself.

A few years later, the New South Wales Association of Deaf and Dumb Citizens dissolved and the two organisations combined as the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of New South Wales. (The NSW State government refused to register both organisations as their aims and objectives were the same).

1951 - 1974

1951

The first hostel for aged people "Alfred Lonsdale House" in Strathfield was set up.

1950 - 1960

More services and staff increased and Deaf people became more involved in the planning of programs and activities.

1953

James Laskie Holiday Home at Lake Macquarie (Newcastle) was purchased. This was sold in 1958 when the Newcastle Branch was established and its first full time welfare worker appointed.

1954

Deaf General Committee was established which continued until 1985.

Dey House, an extension of Gordon Davis House was built and housed more than 90 people. Dey House was later used as the Society's office, while the Stanmore Centre was being built, and was later demolished.

1959

Oral Division was established as a separate division for 12 years until members asked for it to be closed in 1971.

1960

The Silent Messenger was registered as a periodical. This magazine is still being produced by the New South Wales Association of the Deaf.

1966

Wollongong Branch was set up.

1970

Elizabeth House was sold and the office transferred to Stanmore.

1973

Parramatta Regional Centre was established and was the first centre to be fully managed by a committee of elected people who were Deaf.

1980s

Deaf community representatives were elected to the Board of Management and Deaf people joined the staff. Consumer consultative bodies were established.

Separation of the Community Work and Interpreting Departments, and the appointment of Co-ordinators to manage each of the Deaf Society's services.

1982

Kenneth W Tribe Fellowship Fund was established by the Board of Directors to provide financial assistance to Deaf people who wanted to study.

1985

Adult Education Centre for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Persons (later renamed Deaf Education Network) was established.

The Adult Deaf Society became The Deaf Society of New South Wales highlighting the fact that services were available to all Deaf people, including children, and that it had a statewide focus.

De-institutionalisation of Gordon Davis House Hostel leading to the Community Housing Program, which provided independent living skills training for its residents.

1987

Leadership Development Program was set up to encourage Deaf people to accept positions of responsibility and leadership in the Deaf community and hearing world.

Auslan was recognised by the Australian government as a "community language other than English" and the preferred language of the deaf community in a policy statement.

1996

After a long trial, Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW (EAC) became responsible for the provision of Sign Language Interpreters to the courts, government departments and other fee-for-service work on a permanent basis. (Auslan was the 90th Community Language at the EAC).

1994 - current

1999

"Hands Up New South Wales", a demographic study of the Deaf community in NSW was published with the information used to assist in developing services to fill identified gaps in service provision.

2002

Anne Mac Rae Technology Scheme established in partnership with Technical Aid for the Disabled.

2003

First Auslan Heritage School set up with the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. At this Saturday school, family members learn Auslan and Deafness awareness, while their children improve Auslan through structured play activities.

Publication of a quarterly newsletter in plain English, "Hands On News", which focuses on current issues in both the Deaf and wider communities commenced.

2004

Video remote interpreting (VRI) services commenced as a pilot program with IBM Australia. VRI uses videoconferencing technology to allow Deaf people to access on-demand interpreting services from interpreters based at the Society office.

Launched the Lismore office.

2005

Launched the Coffs Harbour office.

After years of lobbying by the Deaf Society of NSW and other state Deaf Societies, the Federal government started funding private medical interpreting.

2006

Accredited as a Registered Training Organisation.

Partnership established (as part of the Australian Federation of Deaf Societies) with WestWood Spice to run the National Relay Service - Outreach Service.

2007

Deaf Education Network (formerly the Adult Education Centre for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Persons) merged with The Deaf Society of New South Wales.

2008

Establishment of two new regional branch offices in Tamworth and Albion Park Rail (south of Wollongong).

Development of a bilingual website in English and Auslan.