Posted in Tell NABS

Jacob Clarke tells the remarkable story of his landmark case for Deaf rights. In high school, Jacob's school felt he did not need an Interpreter and that a note-taking or Buddy system would suffice. He fought for five years for his right to an Interpreter and won, demonstrating why it is essential to have an Interpreter present to help with the education of Deaf high school students.

NABS respects that Deaf people have the right to an interpreter. If you wish to book an interpreter for your next private medical appointment please contact NABS with details of your appointment. 

Ian Maxwell Bruce was born on the 31st of July, 1944. He was born Deaf and had a twin who was hearing.  His story follows him down to Tasmania, where at the age of 5 he moved with his family and attended the Hobart Deaf School.

In 1960 he gained an apprenticeship with the company High Class Furniture. He entered an apprenticeship competition in 1964 with 46 other applicants. Of the 47, Ian and four others won bursaries. His apprenticeship award was a bursary of 75 pounds. Out of those 47 applicants, Ian was the only one who was Deaf.

He went on with the help of his father, an engineer to build seven small sailing yachts, working as a team sharing their tools and skills. Ian crewed one of the yachts, “L’hirondelle’ which won both a race and the award for the most beautiful boat.

Over his working career he has built many fine pieces of furniture. The picture above shows Ian working on a jewellery box, hand making the pins and sockets for the dovetail joints for the boxes. Making jewellery boxes is one of Ian’s hobbies.

Some of Ian’s boxes he has hand carved and others he inlays with beautiful banding and handmade stars. Some of the woods he uses includes Cedar, Hoop Pine, Tasmanian Oak, Tasmanian Blackwood, Huon Pine and Beechwood.

Thank you Ian for sharing your story.

He undertook the Industrial course which consisted of English, Maths A, Maths B, Geometrical Drawing, Woodwork, Metal Work, Trade Drawing, Physics and Chemistry.

He was also heavily involved in athletics. Ian ran the 800 yard cross country as well as playing tennis in the summer and Australian Rules Football in the winter.

During the Christmas break Nicole Foster travelled to Vietnam with her family. During her travels, Nicole met a group of Deaf people working in a shop and was excited to learn she could communicate with them. Her children who also knew some signs were delighted to tell them their names, ages and jumped around like Kangaroos to tell them they were from Australia. Many signs are universal and the smiles on everyone’s face were priceless.

The shop was in a popular tourist destination at a stop on the way to Halong Bay. If other interpreters were to visit this particular spot, Nicole would encourage you to stop into the large hand crafted gift and marble statue warehouse. Many of the Deaf staff there were working on embroidered pictures.

Nicole had said a Deaf friend visited a few months earlier and told her about the group. The group have limited contact with others who can sign. Nicole thought it was a good idea to visit them.

Knowing sign language and being able to read people’s body language was a great tool for Nicole to have when communicating with people overseas.

Wendy Home is no stranger to international travel with the Australian Deaf Golf Team. This October sees Wendy jet off to Japan for the 9th World Deaf Golf Championships to manage the team of 12. This year the competition will be held at Tsu Golf and Country Club in Mie, Japan from October 8 – 12. Not only is Wendy the team’s manager, but she is also the President of Deaf Golf Australia and a proud member of McLeod Golf Club for the last six years.

Wendy was appointed Team Manager of all three teams this year for the second time running, having managed the team during the competition in Scotland. Past World Deaf Golf Championships have been held in Canada (2006), Perth (2008) and Scotland (2010).

This year Wendy excited to have the task for the second time around to make sure the team has everything they need during the championships, “I enjoy being there for the team in this capacity, ensuring everyone is happy and comfortable in their accommodation, getting to know each other and looking after all their needs.”

The team have received tremendous support from the golfing community. With sixteen countries competing in Japan in October, the Australian team are nervous, yet excited to tackle the competition.

“It gives me great pleasure to be able to assist the team and I am very honoured
and proud to have been selected as team manager for a second time,” Wendy says.

NABS wishes the Australian Deaf Golf Team the best of luck in Japan.