Sign Language Communications NSW (SLC NSW) provides specialist interpreting services for people who are Deafblind. Deafblindness is a combination of vision and hearing loss. It is rare that an individual with deafblindness would be completely blind and completely deaf. Individuals who have a combined vision and hearing loss have specific communication needs and there are a number of diverse and adapted forms of Auslan and fingerspelling used by individuals who are Deafblind.

Currently, there are no accredited courses in Australia specific to Deafblind interpreting however workshops have been conducted periodically and there is a small pool of Auslan interpreters who have received informal training in this area. Deaf (Relay) Interpreters may also be used to work with Auslan interpreters to provide access for Deafblind clients.

The Deaf Society of NSW would like to express its gratitude to Sharon Barrey Grassick for allowing SLC NSW to adopt the DeafBlind Interpreting Guidelines which are her own work. These guidelines include a description of various forms of Deafblind communication.

To view a register of interpreters that can work with Deafblind clients, click here.