SignPlanet.net Sign Language News

Service for deaf people fails

4/08/2010

Ms Raxworthy is profoundly deaf but was unable to access an interpreter or a TTY phone system when her husband was admitted to hospital in an emergency last week. Queensland Health apologises for any distress experienced by Mrs Raxworthy and her family ...

New Direction for Deaf Theatre

30/06/2010

The Australian Theatre of the Deaf (ATOD) is delighted to announce a new partnership with Arts Access Victoria that will secure the future of this unique Australian performing company. - Editors Note: Great to see ATOD has this new partnership.

Sign of musical enjoyment

18/06/2010

Deaf children sometimes miss out on the joy of musicals, but next week they'll get to see childhood favourite Wombat Stew on the big stage thanks to Auslan interpreters.

Local first responders learn sign language

21/03/2010

The Hidalgo County Judge’s Office Division of Emergency Management is teaching first responders the basic sign language they need to communicate with the Rio Grande Valley’s estimated 8,000 to 9,000 deaf and hearing impaired residents. Cameron County is also hosting the classes, which teach police officers, firefighters and other emergency responders practical phrases and words like, “What’s wrong?,” “Show me your license,” and “Calm down.”
The training gives first responders the basic lessons they need to communicate with deaf people. Where an interview is needed, the police department brings in an interpreter, but emergencies necessitate a faster method of communication.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

10/03/2010

There are more and more events being Auslan Interpreted each year. This year Auslan interpreted performances include Arj Barker, Joel Creasey and of course the fabulous 'unspeakable' events, which feature great Australian and international Deaf comedians. You will find a full list on the official site, just click the link

All the world's a stage - some can't get in

6/03/2010

The news this week was upbeat: Australians are increasingly embracing the arts ... less palatable news: people with disabilities and migrants from non-English-speaking countries are being left behind. - Editors Note: This article cover progress, and the lack thereof over a range of disabilities from wheelchair accss to movie captioning and Auslan interpretation, in the lead up to the Accessible Arts conference Arts Activated at the Powerhouse Museum on March 25 and 26.

When bluffing falls on deaf ears

27/02/2010

THE felt table will be an even playing field for the NSW Deaf Championship where your best asset is a mean poker face. Sokong Kim, founding member of Deaf Poker Australia, organised the first Australian Deaf Poker Championship in August, 2009, and he said the response was overwhelming.

Signing off on the Olympics

27/02/2010

Nigel Howard was scheduled to do sign language interpretation today for a University of Victoria play. That all changed when the 2010 Winter Olympics Games asked him to sign the closing ceremonies on Sunday.

Schools offered interpreters via videoconference

26/02/2010

A Melbourne based interpreting service has written to 1,000 NSW schools offering interpreters via videoconference, a service it says could be delivered through the schools’ Connected Classrooms. - Editors Note: We would be very interested in knowing how many schools actually have the Tandberg equipment installed.

Tip-of-the-Tongue Moments Explained

26/02/2010

It's one of the most frustrating feelings: You know the word exists, and you know what it means, but you just can't spit it out. Researchers tested people who speak two languages, as well as deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. Emmorey and her colleagues found that yes, signers did experience tip-of-the-fingers, and about as often – roughly once a week – as speakers do.

Social club makes deaf happy

24/02/2010

LIVING in a quiet world can be hard, but one social group in Rockhampton is determined to bring together the hearing impaired to break down those barriers. - Editors Note: To contact the Rockhampton Social Deaf Club, text mobile 0447 014 973 or contact D-link on 4938 6000 on Wednesdays.

Fee hike sees end to night classes

12/02/2010

Sigh language night classes have been canned in Manawatu after a fee hike made them unaffordable. Queen Elizabeth College Community Education executive officer Pearl Parker said it was disappointing. Fees went up due to the Government's Budget cuts in May 2009, which hit nightclasses across the country, and although former Minister of Tertiary Education Anne Tolley said NZSL would continue to get funding, nightclasses in the region say they haven't received any.

An engineer's quest to caption the Web

9/02/2010

The Internet used to be a place where Ken Harrenstien could do anything. The Google engineer, who has been deaf since childhood, loved the Web because he could e-mail and chat without the aid of a sign language translator. But as the Web evolved and got faster, online video started to flood in. And all of a sudden, this place that once allowed for limitless communication started to feel walled off to Harrenstien. But Harrenstien isn't sitting back and complaining. He's dedicated his career at Google to developing technology to bring closed captioning to the Internet.

SignPlanet.net launches Photo Bank

27/01/2010

Chris Bilby, Chief Programmer, said "Now you can have coloured photo's instead of clipart appearing in the worksheets you make, plus we've changed the worksheet generators so that you can have just the photos or clipart, without sign images. You can make resources for use with other special needs kids, or general students who don't use any sign language at all."

Teen seeks sign of new friends

14/01/2010

FRIENDS wanted. Must be typical teenagers and be able to do sign language. But the thing holding him back is that he is deaf and communicates face to face with sign language, and he is yet to meet others his age in the region like him. - Editors Note: Anyone in the Yeppoon area should track down Jost and Leah for a get together!

Govt. fails to subsidise for cochlear replacement

9/12/2009

In one story among many, deaf-blind Michelle Stevens has been told that the Government would not subsidise a $8000 cochlear implant replacement. Michelle has had a cochlear implant since 1992 and says that she uses her cochlear "almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week" and that it was a vital part of her life. VArious deaf-blind organisations (including Able Australia and the Australian DeafBlind Council) have seconded her call, saying that "They make an enormous difference to people's lives. It can be the difference between being able to leave home or not." and that hiring an interpreter instead can be costly. The Senate is performing an ongoing enguiry into this matter.

Gone wild

7/11/2009

IN A rehearsal room in Alexandria, deaf actor Alex Jones and hearing actor Russell Smith are going wild. They fight and roll and wrestle together in a tight embrace, under the watchful eye of director Caroline Conlon. It's rough and sweaty work for a warm afternoon. ...... The Wild Boys is an original show from the Australian Theatre of the Deaf. Now in its 29th year, Australia's only professional deaf theatre company does most of its work touring schools nationally, performing to more than 18,000 students a year. This is its annual professional show.

A new Auslan Dictionary

15/10/2009

Bilby Publishing today launched it's new dictionary. Lee Bilby today said "It includes many signs never before documented, but more importantly, this is the first dictionary to every include descriptions of how to perform the sign along with hints, context notes and clipart." - Editors Note: Another demonstration of the power of the SignPlanet.net database, even in print form. SignPlanet is still the place to watch the associated videos.

Holly Loach's Musical Miracle

20/09/2009

Grand-daughter of famous film director Ken Loach, Holly Loach has astounded and delighted her parents by learning to play the piano at a professional level. Holly, who is 10, has been deaf since a meningitis illness at 13 months. Her parents, both musicians, were estatic with her abilities as they had been told that Holly might never interact with instruments and music. Dispite this Holly has become an accomplished piano player, winning a number of national awards. - Editors Note: Here is another link to a related Daily Express article: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/128557

Deaf student sues La Trobe University

8/09/2009

Deaf student Mariana Crvenkovic is suing La Trobe University for "failing to provide skilled interpreters and frequently forcing her to prove that she was deaf." Ms Crvenkovic has said that La Trobe claimed to provide support but that for one of her lectures there has been no interpreter and the note-takers supplied have not been taking proper notes. La Trobe denies this, claiming, "La Trobe employs trained note-takers. This training is conducted by the university and usually involves high-performing students who are undertaking studies in the discipline and therefore best placed to take notes." And, "We employ level 3 Auslan interpreters from VicDeaf where possible. This is the highest level of accreditation."

Deaf dog learns sign language

6/09/2009

BEING a border collie, Pixie is blessed with natural smarts - all the better to help the eight-week-old pup learn sign language. Professor Stanley Coren from the University of British Columbia found the average dog can understand about 165 words, signs and signals, while the cleverest dogs could grasp as many as 250 words and signals.

Medical students experience a lesson in empathy

29/08/2009

The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry has collaborated with the local deaf community to run a program for 100 first-year medical students. The program aimed to show the students what it was like to be unable to communicate clearly by placing them in an environment where they could not speak to each other and had to consult "Health Professionals" (deaf society members who signed back to the students their diagnosis). The students had to convey to the "Health Professionals" their symptoms and try to figure out what they were diagnosed with from the signed prompts. One student, India Johnson, commented on the difficulty of trying to communicate in different circumstances, saying, "It's very frustrating." And "It's confusing. At each step, you don't know what's going on. You can't relate to them what you want to relate."

New Technology for Deaf-Blind People

23/08/2009

A two-piece portable device has been recently released by the Canadian company HumanWare. It is called the DeafBlind Communicator and allows easier communication between Deaf-Blind people and non-signing individuals. The DeafBlind Communicator is a laptop-sized device that features two keyboards, one of which is in braille, and a second smaller device that resembles a PDA. The smaller device is given to the non-signing individual and the deaf-blind individual sends the message "Hi, I am deaf-blind (I can't hear or see). To communicate with me, type a message and press the return arrow." The return message is then converted into braille and displayed using the braille keyboard.

Foilek wins X Games

2/08/2009

Deaf teenage motocross contestant Ashley Foilek has placed first in the Women's Moto X Super X on Saturday night. She spent most of the race neck and neck with award winning Jessica Patterson, only to overtake on the last lap. Foilek was delighted with her win, signing "This year I was really motivated. I came out here and had a great race." - Editors Note: Here is a link to the X Games article: http://espn.go.com:80/action/news/story?id=4372102

Asphyxia mixes marionettes and Auslan workshops

21/07/2009

Asphyxia is a renowned performer who is passionate about marrionettes and educating her hearing audiences about deaf culture. In her most recent tour, Asphyxia has been running free Auslan workshops for her audiences. The Grimstones has been described as "an enchanting fairytale." “If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, Edward Scissorhands and The Addams Family, then you’ll really enjoy The Grimstones, which I would describe as an enchanting fairytale for kids and adults alike,” Asphyxia commented.

New Zealand Sign Language Week

5/07/2009

New Zealand Sign Language Week was launched with the help of mayor Len Brown and Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand. In an attempt to raise awareness of sign language and the deaf community various activities are being held around the country, such as free sign language workshops, information booths and signed performances. Also being held is the Deaf Short Film Festival, which is taking place in Wellington, and a performance by visiting American deaf stand-up comedian John Maucere.

Silent shame of Cherbourg school

1/07/2009

There's an article in today's Courier Mail titled "Silent shame of Cherbourg school where pupils can't hear teacher".
A new study says that up to 90% of students at the school have a hearing loss due to ear infections. Teachers wear microphones and classrooms have speaker systems to help cope. - Editors Note: This is not new news, it's something that we've been going on about for a few years. It's good to see that surgeons are now making noise on this one

Your Workplace Rights - Videos in Auslan

30/06/2009

The NSW Office of Industrial Relations has launched a new section of it's website. It provides information on your workplace rights in relation to applying for a job, industrial relations systems and pay and leave entitlements. Video's are available in high and low bandwidth versions for broadband and dial-up internet users.
The video's were prepared by the Translator Service at the NSW Association of the Deaf

Reform for carers of children with disability

30/06/2009

An extra 19,000 carers of children with severe disability are expected to qualify over the next 12 months for Carer Payment (child) as legislated reforms come into effect from 1 July. Other changes to a range of family assistance, pension rates and thresholds will also apply from tomorrow. The qualification for carer payment (child) has been changed from the previous narrow medical model and now recognises and assesses the impact of caring for children with disability or medical condition. - Editors Note: Welcome changes. We're now a step closer to them assessing the reality of the situation instead of ticking diagnosis bozes. Hope staff have been given good training in the new assessment proceedures.

Further Measures To Improve DisabiIity Rights

30/06/2009

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 through Parliament.

The Bill will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our anti-discrimination system and clarifies the obligation of employers, service providers and other parties to remove discriminatory barriers for people with disabilities.

“These reforms will contribute to ensuring that our laws continue to promote greater equality, equal opportunity and a fair go for people with disabilities” said Mr McClelland.

The Attorney-General has also signed a declaration under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act 1986 to enable the Australian Human Rights Commission to conciliate complaints based on breaches of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Mr Shorten said the declaration gives the Commission power to consider disability rights under the Convention and enables it to report to Government on how the Convention is being implemented.

“People with disabilities will welcome these further steps in recognising their human rights and contribution to the Australian community,” said Mr Shorten.

These steps are a further demonstration of the Rudd Government’s commitment to enhancing human rights for all Australians.

Hearing Screening for all Australian babies

29/06/2009

The Australian Government will seek a commitment from States and Territories to deliver newborn Hearing Screening for all Australian babies from 1 January 2011. Presently, only 75 per cent of newborns are screened. This varies from over 95 per cent in some States and Territories to less than 40 per cent in others. - Editors Note: This is most excellent. I hope that they explain that follow up testing will be needed when they pass 9 months to test for conductive loss

Further Measures to Improve Disability Rights

25/06/2009

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today welcomed the passage of the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 through Parliament.
The Attorney-General has also signed a declaration under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act 1986 to enable the Australian Human Rights Commission to conciliate complaints based on breaches of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Mr Shorten said the declaration gives the Commission power to consider disability rights under the Convention and enables it to report to Government on how the Convention is being implemented.

Commissioner Hunt calls for a NZSL Commission

5/06/2009

After the recent release of the Deaf People and Human Rights Report, Human Rights Commissioner Robyn Hunt highlights the need for a New Zealand Sign Language Commission. Ms Hunt commends New Zealand on its actions so far but points out that more actions need to be done about the shortage of sign language interpreters in schools. She believes this could be furthered by a New Zealand Sign Language Commission, who would address the issues being faced by New Zealand Deaf and hearing impaired people, in a similar way to the current Maori Language Commission.

Program to help people with disability into work

12/05/2009

The 2009-10 Budget provides funds for the pilot which is part of the Rudd Government’s National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy and is designed to encourage employers to provide jobs to people with disability. The trial program will encourage employers to create more employment opportunities for people with disability and give Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients the chance to demonstrate their skills.

Investigation into special needs funding -go legal

1/03/2009

The Public Schools Principals Forum has conducted a survey, collecting responses from 800 schools. Almost 80 per cent of the principals who responded rated the funding for special needs or disabled children - many of them in mainstream classes - as either poor or very poor. The PSPF is considering whether this level of support breaches the Disability Discrimination Act. - Editors Note: The website has the survey results report as well as media articles relating to their campaign

College's VCE result a sign of big success

18/12/2008

Students and Teachers at the VSDC are celebrating excellent results in VCE and VCAL. The college came third in the state of Victoria's government schools. - Editors Note: Well done all!

From dog days in the territory to gallery top dog

11/11/2008

WHEN retired teacher Joie Boulter devoted her life to looking after a disabled Aboriginal boy, she had no idea that a few years later she would be sitting in a swanky Top End gallery with Darwin's arts fraternity, sipping champagne and toasting the boy's artwork. Boulter met him at Tennant Creek High School when she was still teaching. Dion had never been taught sign language. Unable to communicate, he lived in a silent, isolated world, his development severely delayed. - Editors Note: This is a really positive story with many good points - well worth the full read.

So you think the deaf can't dance? Beat it

31/03/2008

To elitists, it's just not dancing. To an army of krumping, breaking, freestyle-popping dancers in the deaf community, So You Think You Can Dance Australia is essential viewing. .... "Some deaf people were amazed when they saw us perform at a conference dinner because they assumed we would be a professional hearing hip-hop group," Onley-Zerkel said.

Deaf community invited to parliament

1/10/2007

Members of the Deaf Community were invited to visit Queenslands Parliament during question time as a initiative of National and Labor parties members who know Auslan

Musical Sign of the Times

14/09/2007

This article is about Signing Karaoke, which has become hugely popular. This one in Northcote was being run by Asphyxia - Editors Note: We're big fans of Asphyxia and saw her when she visited Bega. She tours the country, so watch her website www.asphyxia.com.au for tour news - or better still get funding to bring her to your area

Qld govt investigating 380 school staff

17/07/2007

This article discusses the outcomes of complaints cases against the QLD Dept of Education. At the very bottom it talks about an out of court settlement of over $50,000 for a child claiming discrimination because their school did not offer Auslan

Government includes sign language in curriculum

15/03/2007

In a bid to make sign language mainstream the New Zealand government has introduced NZSL into its school curriculum. This follows it being identified as a priority in the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights. The Human Rights Commission states that their aim is to provide deaf people with equal communication rights to "ensure equal participation for Deaf people in all areas of life." - Editors Note: the related article can be found at http://www.hrc.co.nz/home/hrc/newsandissues/commissionwelcomesinclusionofsignlanguageincurriculum.php

Slides: A Playground Menace

8/06/2006

For most kids, the static electricity that builds up as they go down playground slides does little more than make their hair stand on end. But for thousands of hearing-impaired children, static can shut down their cochlear implants in an instant. One idea is to coat the slides with an antistatic material. For the time being, however, children with cochlear implants should stay away from plastic playground slides. (Metal slides don't pose a great risk -- at least one playground designed for the disabled has installed them to protect implant-wearing kids -- but they get hotter in the summer.) - Editors Note: American article with worldwide relevance

Gail Smith & Devlin Family vs Qld Gov Final Ruling

15/04/2005

A five-year legal battle with the Education Department came to an end for two Queensland families today. Each of the families includes a child student who's profoundly deaf. Their parents wanted classroom interpreters to be employed so both children could be educated in the sign language known as Auslan. But Education Queensland has fought them all the way. - Editors Note: This was a watershed moment in the history of auslan in Queensland schools. Do a web search and find out more about this case.

New Zealand Sign Language videos

1/06/2004

In the lead up to the New Zealand Sign Language Bill's passage thrgouh parliament, the Office for Disability Issues released videos explaining the process in NZSL to their website. - Editors Note: They will be adding more videos to this section, so check back periodically.

New developments in keyhole surgery

19/10/2001

British doctors have recently improved the Cochlear Implant process by perfecting a new keyhole surgery technique. This new technique allows the incision to be limited to half an inch long instead of six inches. It also allows surgeons to operate on younger children than previously allowed, meaning that the child has the chance of picking up vocal language at an earlier age. Developing professor Gerry O'Donoghue comments that the technique aims to "reduce the psychological effects as well as the physical scarring, because this could often deter children or prospective parents from considering implantation as an option."