Private Medical and Health Care Practitioners

Re: The National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service (NABS)

Dear Practitioner

The Department of Families Community Services and Indigenous Affairs has provided funding for the provision of Sign Language Interpreting services to users of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) nationally. This is to be provided for people who use Sign Language and require an interpreter at private medical and health care appointments. These services are being provided in line with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

NABS will make all reasonable efforts to provide an interpreter based on the Auslan user's preference. This will include interpreting services for deaf adults and deaf children.

This service is free of charge to the Auslan user and the medical or health care professional. It is a Commonwealth requirement and also the policy of NABS that only NAATI (National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters) accredited interpreters be engaged so as to ensure quality of service to both you and your patients.

Information about NABS can be accessed on the NABS website at www.nabs.org.au. For your convenience on this website you will find an online booking facility that will ensure an interpreter is engaged for your next appointment with an Auslan user.

Alternatively bookings can be made by phoning 1800 24 69 45 or fax 1800 24 69 14.

We look forward to working together with you.

Yours sincerely

National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service.