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Q: How do I communicate with a deaf person?
There are many different methods you can use to communicate with a deaf person, and some people have preferred communication modes. This website has a few basic tips to make communication much easier for you.
For more information, click here. To see how to make your workplace more deaf-friendly, click here. To find information about how to interview a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, click here.
Q: Is sign language the same all around the world? Where can I learn?
Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the native language of the Australian Deaf community. Different countries have their own sign language and signed alphabet, although there may be a lot of similarities between different languages. For more information, click here.
The Deaf Society’s education department, Deaf Education Network, runs both basic community Auslan courses and nationally accredited Auslan programs. Courses are also offered by some TAFEs. For more information, click here. The Deaf Society also provides Deafness Awareness training for workplaces, schools and groups. For more information, click here.
The Deaf Society does not provide hearing tests.
Your doctor can tell you who to contact or you can see a list of hearing service providers that offer hearing tests on the Department of Health and Ageing website. To see this list, click here. You may have to pay for tests by some of these providers. You are eligible to receive a free hearing assessment from Australian Hearing under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program if you are:
To find more information about your eligibility for Australian Hearing’s services, click here. Australian Hearing also has a free national telephone service, Telscreen, where you can take a free hearing test over your telephone. Call 1800 826 500 for this service or click here for more information. To see contact details for Australian Hearing, click here.
Shhh Australia (a leading organisation in NSW for people who are hard of hearing) has an Information Sheet explaining how to get a hearing aid. To see this Information Sheet, click here.
Q: I want to make a complaint about the Deaf Society. How?
You can make a complaint or give feedback to the Deaf Society using this website. You can fill in an online form. If you give us your details on the form we will get back to you to discuss your complaint or feedback in more detail.
We value your complaints and feedback. To make a complaint or give feedback, click here.
Q: I feel I am being discriminated against. What do I do?
The Deaf Society has an Advocacy Service to provide support and representation in order to promote, protect and secure the rights of individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing.
To find out more about the Advocacy Service, click here.
Q: Can I get support in my area? Does the Deaf Society cover all of NSW?
The Deaf Society provides services across rural and regional NSW via regional offices and locally based Community Workers – for more information, click here.
In some regional areas, the Deaf Society has set up a webcam video communication link, called DeafNet, where Deaf people can talk directly to staff in Sydney. For locations and more information about DeafNet, click here. The Deaf Society also has toll-free contact numbers so Deaf people outside Sydney can contact the head office for the cost of a local call. To see the toll-free TTY, voice phone and fax numbers, click here.
Q: Does the Deaf Society provide housing for Deaf people?
No – the Deaf Society does not have any housing for Deaf people. However, the Deaf Society can help. A Deaf Society Community Worker can help you:
The best way to get help is to come to the Deaf Society’s Drop In Service. For more information, click here.
Q: How do I register to be a client of the Deaf Society's Employment Service?
You need to register as a job seeker with Centrelink first. When you register, ask them to refer you to the Deaf Society to help you look for work.
For information about how to contact Centrelink, click here. For information about the Deaf Society’s Employment Service, click here.
Q: I need to fill out a form. Can you give me support?
The Deaf Society has a Drop In Service to help you do something, give you information or tell you who can give you advice. This includes help to fill out forms or understand letters.
For more information, click here.
Q: Does the Deaf Society sell equipment for Deaf people?
No. The Deaf Society has information about equipment on this website but does not sell equipment. It does have a Baby Cry Alarm lending system for Deaf parents and grandparents.
A lot of our clients buy equipment from Printacall (which specialises in selling equipment for Deaf people). Deaf people can also apply to Telstra to get a free TTY, but conditions apply. The National Relay Service (NRS) can help you learn more about using a TTY. To see information about:
To see contact details for:
Q: Does the Deaf Society have Independent Living Skills training?
Yes. The Deaf Society has a program which provides specialist support and training on a one-to-one basis to assist Deaf people who have disabilities or who require extra assistance to live as independently as possible.
For more information, click here.
Q: How do I get a job at the Deaf Society?
The Deaf Society of NSW is a bilingual, bicultural workplace which values diversity. It is an equal employment opportunity employer and has Deaf-friendly work practices and policies. Deaf people are employed at all levels in our organisation.
To see what jobs are available at the Deaf Society, click here.
Q: I’m Deaf. Does the Deaf Society provide funding to help with my education?
The Deaf Society, through the Kenneth W Tribe Fellowship Fund, offers scholarships to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing wishing to undertake a course of study which will lead to improved employment opportunities and enhance the individual’s ability to contribute to the NSW Deaf community. For more information, click here.
Some other organisations, such as the Deafness Forum, offer educational scholarships for Deaf people.
Q: I’m Deaf. Can the Deaf Society help me get a computer?
The Deaf Society, through the Anne MacRae Technology Scheme, is able to offer Deaf people a computer at a low rental cost. For more information about this scheme, click here.
Q: I want to set up a Deaf Community Centre. Can the Deaf Society help me?
The Deaf Society wants to encourage Deaf community groups to set up a Deaf Community Centre. Groups can apply to the Deaf Society for financial assistance through the Deaf Community Centre Fund. For more information about this fund, click here.
Q: Does the Deaf Society have Lip-Reading classes?
No. The Deaf Society does not teach Lip-Reading classes.
Better Hearing Australia lists locations where they provide Hearing Loss Management Classes (which includes Lip-Reading) on their website. To see contact details for Better Hearing Australia, click here. The Deaf Society provides Auslan (Australian Sign Language) courses. To find out more about:
Q: What newsletters does the Deaf Society have?
Deaf Society has four newsletters that are available on this website:
To see or subscribe to any of these newsletters, click here.
Q: How do I get a copy of the Deaf Society’s Annual Report?
The Deaf Society’s current and past Annual Reports are available on this website. To see them, click here.
Please contact the Deaf Society if you require a copy of the Annual Report to be posted to you. To see contact details, click here.
Q: How can I support the Deaf Society?
There are a number of ways you can support the Deaf Society:
Q: How can I access funding for a Deaf Community project?
For a copy of the Anthony M Houen Community Grant Fund information, click here.
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