The Deaf Society is the peak support organisation in NSW for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. It provides a professional specialist information, consultation, support and lobbying service to the Deaf community and to government and generic social welfare and related agencies.

The Deaf Society aims to:

• empower Deaf people to live full and independent lives
• support people who are Deaf and hard of hearing in crisis situations
• provide relevant services directly to people who are Deaf and hard of hearing (where appropriate)
• refer people who are Deaf and hard of hearing to external organisations and agencies (where appropriate) and coordinate the booking of interpreters for required appointments
• support people who are Deaf and hard of hearing at appointments with external organisations and agencies
• guide external organisations and agencies so they are able to provide services to Deaf and hearing people equally and independent of Deaf Society support

Services include:

• Drop In (to receive help with forms and documents, support making appointments with other organisations, information or advice)
• assisting, offering advice and providing referrals to deaf people in crisis situations
• supporting people who are deaf and hard of hearing in finding emergency and permanent accommodation
• working closely with clients and their families to find solutions and resolutions to their problems
• referring people who are Deaf and hard of hearing to other agencies (as appropriate)
• providing Deaf Society services and access to community services to older Deaf people at Deaf seniors clubs, in their homes and at hostels, nursing homes and retirement villages
• advocacy on behalf of people who are Deaf or hard of hearing

Deaf Society Community Workers are able to communicate in both Auslan and English and specialise in different areas of need. Services are provided in both the Sydney Metropolitan area and in rural NSW.

To see Deaf Society office locations and Drop In times, click here.

To find out about the Deaf Society’s outreach program for rural and regional NSW, click here.