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Community Workshop - Tasmania

Posted by Communications@NABS on 17 July 2014
Community Workshop - Tasmania

A Community Workshop is being held in Tasmania on Tuesday, August 5.

"What is discrimination?", "What laws protect me in Tasmania?" and "Where do I go for help?"

Staff from the OFFICE OF THE ANTIDISCRIMINATION COMMISSIONER discuss all of this and can answer your questions.

Questions/RSVP - Email Ali Dowl a.dowl@nabs.org.au

 

 

Posted in:Deaf Community News  

Koda Camp

Posted by Communications@NABS on 17 July 2014

NABS is proud to be a sponsor of this year's Koda Camp.

The first ever National Koda Camp is now OPEN for registration. 

WHEN:  Friday 7th to Monday 10th November

WHERE:  Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast (right on the beautiful beach!)

AGE:  12 – 17 year olds

COST:  $285 per camper

INCLUDES:  accommodation, meals, activities, half day Dreamworld entry and a gift

Koda’s from all over Australia are welcome to attend. There will be leaders from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. 

For more information visit: www.kodaaustralia.com.au

 

Posted in:Deaf Community News  

Tri Nation Deaf Tenpin Bowling Event

Posted by Deaf Community on 2 June 2014

- By Bruce Shaw, President Sydney Stars Deaf Tenpin Bowling Club

 

The Tri Nation Event which was played on 21st April, 2014 at Blacktown AMF was a big success. All bowlers and visitors enjoyed the games.

We had 6 bowlers on each team for Argentina, Australia and New Zealand for both men and womens teams.

Results:

Mens Tri Nation – 1st Australia - 37 points, 2nd Argentina - 25 points, 3rd New Zealand - 22 points.

Womens Tri Nation 1st Australia - 43 points, 2nd New Zealand - 33 points, 3rd Argentina - 8 points.

A great win for Australia.

 

That night we had a Presentation Night and the men all received a medal each and the team received a beautiful trophy which was sponsored by NABS.

The women also received medals and the team received a trophy donated by Sydney Stars Deaf Tenpin Bowling Club.

The Argentina bowlers had a wonderful time here in Australia. They toured Darling Harbour, the Opera House, Aquarium and Wildlife Museum. They also did a Harbour Bridge Climb. We took them to the Blue Mountains and Canberra. They enjoyed every minute. It was sad to see them leave.

The Argentineans went to New Zealand after Australia to compete in the Tri Nations over there. 11 bowlers and fans from Australia also went to New Zealand so they got to spend some extra time with the Argentina bowlers.

 

New Zealand competition results:

In the Tri Nation competition in New Zealand in the mens competition 1st  Australia - 34.5 points, 2nd Argentina - 30 points, 3rd New Zealand -19.5 points.

In the womens competition  1st Argentina -11 points, 2nd Australia – 9 points , 3rd New Zealand – 7 points.

 

It was a big 2 weeks and we were all very tired but it was worth it. 

On behalf of the Sydney Stars Deaf Tenpin Bowling Club I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to NABS for their very kind sponsorship. It was much appreciated.

Posted in:Deaf Community News  

NABS in Italy

Posted by Deaf Community on 8 May 2014

Sandra with her NABS notebook at Bagni di Lucca, Italy.

Posted in:Deaf Community News  

National Indigenous Health Conference (2013): a presentation by Liz Temple, NABS Interpreter

Posted by Communications@NABS on 28 April 2014

NABS Interpreter Liz Temple presented at the National Indigenous Health Conference (NIHC) in Cairns on the challenges faced in the Northern Territory by Deaf Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and how NABS is working with the community, hearing services, hospitals and health networks to improve to the health outcomes of Indigenous Deaf people by providing free sign language interpreters for medical and health care appointments.

Figures show that in 2010, eight out of 10 Indigenous children in the NT were affected by hearing loss, while in 2012; nine out of 10 indigenous inmates in the NT had a hearing loss.

Liz said that while many people understand hearing loss in medical terms – glue ear, otitis media (middle ear infection), ruptured ear drums – people often forget the impact of hearing loss in regards to communication which impacts social and family interaction, engagement with the community, learning and access to services.

Liz noted that “if we want to take ‘Closing the Gap/Stronger Futures Policy’ seriously we need to consider how important communication is in this process for Deaf people in achieving better health outcomes”.

She said that Western medical approaches do not tend to incorporate an Indigenous health philosophy.

“When compounded with deafness or hearing loss, this could easily explain why clients who are Deaf and Indigenous are not readily accessing services.”

COMPLEX NEEDS

The Northern Terrritory is known for its rich cultural and linguistic diversity. More than 100 Aboriginal languages and dialects are spoken in the Territory.

“Many Aboriginal Deaf people do not use Auslan (Australian Sign Language) so as interpreters we have adopted a number of strategies to work with clients who use hand talk, community sign or sign language developed within the family – or a mixture of Auslan and community hand talk,” Liz said.

In addition to this, sectors of the Aboriginal population encounter a number of medical challenges such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder that impact on their processing of language.

During her presentation, Liz outlined some key approaches for enhancing cultural and linguistic awareness:

• The importance of respect and relationship building
• Encouraging the value of Aboriginal sign languages
• Cross-cultural awareness training
• Indigenous sign/language dictionaries and research

One of the key ways NABS improves its delivery of service is by its close association with the Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS).

Other important relationships include: the Department of Health; Hearing Services like Australian Hearing and NT Hearing; Public and Private Hospitals; and Allied Health Networks, such as the Chronic Disease Network, Mental Health Network and Aged and Disability Network.

LOOKING AHEAD

Liz said that the optimal situation is for Country men and women to become Sign Language Interpreters for Deaf people in their own language group.

“This would be a move toward true meaning based interpreting for Indigenous Deaf people.”

In the meantime, Liz is working closely with Aboriginal interpreters where possible in efforts to match the linguistic and cultural needs of clients.

“Language fluency and cultural knowledge are needed from both perspectives” said Liz in closing.

The NIHC was held at the Cairns Pullman International Hotel on November 25-27, 2013.

Valuable information was shared, including a keynote speech by Paul Higginbotham, CEO of Earbus Foundation WA.

Over 200 people attended the three-day event, many of whom visited the NABS stand.

 

Posted in:Interpreter NewsDeaf Community News  
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