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There were lots of laughs at the John Smith Deaf Comedy in Brisbane last week.

The event was sponsored by NABS and NICSS, and was held on March 14 and March 16 at Wesley Mission Brisbane in Chermside.

More than 50 members of the Deaf Community attended the event on the final night, as well as interpreters and staff from NABS and NICSS.

It was great to see some familiar faces and meet with members of the community.

John Smith is a popular comedian from the UK, and entertains audiences in Deaf clubs and theatres across England, Ireland, Europe, USA and Australia.

Pictured: Paula Arnold, Jayne McIntyre (NABS/NICSS) and Rachel Byrnes (NABS/NICSS)

Pictured: John Smith takes to the stage

- By NABS/NICSS Interpreter, Amanda (Mandy) Dolejsi

As a Professional Auslan/English interpreter, living in Canberra has provided me with the opportunity to work in various political settings in both the ACT Legislative Assembly as well as the Federal Parliament.

My first exposure to federal politics was interpreting for the then Federal Minister's Disability Advisory Council during the International Year of People with a Disability in 1981, and since then I have had a keen interest in politics. Parliament is steeped in historical protocols and procedures that are strictly maintained and adhered to.

I have worked in a wide range of settings including: interpreting Question Time in the House of Representatives; interpreting evidence to Senate Standing Committees and Committees of Inquiry where your interpretation is recorded in both Hansard and on video; interpreting the Valedictory Speeches of retiring Senators and MPs; interpreting the National 'Sorry' Speech for Children of Forced Adoptions; educational and public tours and meetings with Members of Parliament and Senators.

Most recently I was interpreting for an overseas delegation of dignitaries who had been invited to attend Question Time in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. As these dignitaries were also Members of Parliament in their country of origin, they were invited to observe proceeding from 'the floor' in both Chambers. Approval was sought from the President of the Senate and the Presiding Officer in the House of Reps and I believe that this was the first time that an Auslan Interpreter was actually present on 'the floor' of our Federal Parliament.

On 23rd September 2015 ACT Member of the Legislative Assembly, Nicole Lawder, moved a motion in the Assembly for an amendment to Standing Order 210 regarding the presence of strangers on the floor of the Assembly. Ms Lawder sought the amendment to allow appropriately qualified Auslan Interpreters to be present on the floor of the Assembly without needing to seek special permission from the Assembly to do so. The motion was later passed unanimously and the ACT became the first parliament in Australia to formally allow the presence of Auslan Interpreters as a matter of proceedure.

I am hoping that it won't be too long before Auslan/English Interpreter's find themselves interpreting 'on the floor' of various Parliaments more often.

Hello.

I have been asked to share my story with you. I have recently started my new role as Communication Officer representing NABS and NICSS.

Many of you know, I have previously worked at Deaf Australia for the last 10 years providing awareness for deaf and hearing community as well as some advocacy work.

This leads me to an exciting chapter working as a Communication Officer. My role as a Communication Officer is to deliver the information in the wider community about NABS, NICSS and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). 

For the Deaf Community, the most important current information is to know more about the NDIS.

I will be travelling all over Australia to meet the Deaf Community. Please look out for flyer or information about the workshop and when I will be in your area. 

For more information feel free to email me on r.byrnes@nabs.org.au or SMS me on 0408 908 102. You can also find me on Skype by searching for r.byrnes@nabs.org.au or rachelnabs.

- Rachel Byrnes

NABS & NICSS Auslan Interpreting Services were pleased to take part in the annual Our Choice Expo again this year.

The Expo was held at Deakin Uni, Geelong on Friday, 12 February and was designed to inform National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and their families about the services and issues related to the NDIS.

The Expo was hosted by the Having a Say Conference and was attended by over 600 visitors and more than 80 exhibitors offering services to people with a disability. 

NABS & NICSS were so pleased to have the opportunity to connect with Deaf and hard of hearing people as well as other service providers about what we do and how we, as registered NDIS providers, can be of assistance to NDIS participants.

NABS/NICSS is proud to be sponsoring live stand up comedy with UK comedian John Smith.

Date: March 14th, 15th and 16th

Time: 7pm to 10.30pm

Where: UHL Hall, Wesley Mission Brisbane, 930 Gympie Rd, Chermside QLD

Tickets: $30 for pensioner, $40 for adult

RSVP: March 1, 2016

Contact: Rachel Byrnes - r.byrnes@nabs.org.au or Paula Arnold - 0433 870 085 (SMS Only)