Deafblindness is a combination of vision and hearing loss. To find out more about Deafblindness, click here.

The Deaf Society employs a number of Community Workers and Community Access Workers who are bi-lingual in Auslan and English and skilled in various Deafblind communication modes. They have extensive knowledge and experience of working with people who are Deafblind.

People who are Deafblind frequently access the following Deaf Society services:

• Drop In (for information and general assistance with tasks like filling in forms) 
• Independent Living Skills Program (with specific support for people who are Deafblind) 
• Referral from a Deaf Society Community Worker to services and support provided by other government agencies and private organisations

Other programs are developed according to funding and need. Programs are developed to support an individual’s tasks of daily living including budgeting, domestic duties, health and well being to enable the person to live independently and access the community.

Initial assessments and/or ongoing casework can be done in the home if the Deafblind person is unable to travel to Parramatta or Newcastle independently. Provision of such service is determined on an individual basis.

Deafblind people living in rural and regional areas can also access services in the same way as Deaf people as part of the Deaf Society's outreach program. 

Deafblind Interpreting
The Deaf Society Interpreting Service can provide specialist interpreters for people who are Deafblind. These interpreters are accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters and have additional skills in interpreting in one or more Deafblind interpreting modes. They include:

• Tactile Interpreting
• Visual Frame
• Hand over Hand

To find out more about Deafblind interpreting, click here.

To book a Deafblind interpreter online, click here. In the comments section, please specify that you need a Deafblind interpreter and, if you know, the mode of Deafblind interpreting you need.

To find out more about how to book a Deafblind interpreter, click here.

The Deaf Society Interpreting Service provides interpreters for a diverse range of situations, including private medical and legal appointments, meetings at banks and financial institutions and funerals. In some situations, the Deaf Society will provide interpreters without charge for life important events.

Other organisations that assist people who are Blind in NSW
To see a list of other organisations in NSW that assist people who are Blind, click here.