Deaf Australia, established in 1986, is a Deaf-led advocacy organization dedicated to representing Deaf, Deafblind, and hard-of-hearing individuals across the nation. Central to its mission is the promotion and recognition of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as the primary language of the Australian Deaf community.
Advocacy for Sign Language Rights
Deaf Australia actively champions the rights of Deaf individuals to access and utilize Auslan from birth. The organization emphasizes the importance of early exposure to sign language, asserting that it is a fundamental human right. This aligns with global perspectives on language access for Deaf people and supports the belief that early communication access lays the foundation for lifelong success.
International Collaboration and Recognition
On the global stage, Deaf Australia works closely with international bodies to promote the rights of Deaf people. A key milestone was the formal adoption of the International Day of Sign Languages by the United Nations—an achievement that underscores the cultural importance of sign languages worldwide. Deaf Australia continues to support International Sign and efforts to bring greater unity to the global Deaf community.
Educational Initiatives and Resources
Recognizing the pivotal role of education, Deaf Australia supports bilingual education for Deaf children, with Auslan being a core component. They advocate for accessible information and services in sign language, ensuring that Deaf individuals are not excluded from essential areas of life such as education, healthcare, and employment.
Promoting the Deaf Ecosystem
Deaf Australia is deeply committed to supporting the broader Deaf ecosystem. This includes addressing the challenges faced by Deaf, Deafblind, and hard-of-hearing individuals and pushing for policies and initiatives that support economic, social, and linguistic inclusion.
Celebrating Auslan and Deaf Culture
To celebrate and raise awareness of Auslan and Deaf identity, Deaf Australia observes Auslan Day on April 13th each year. This date honors the publication of the first Auslan dictionary in 1989—a major milestone in the recognition of sign language in Australia. Events like Auslan Day and International Day of Sign Languages highlight the cultural richness and linguistic heritage of the Deaf community.