Damon Mcknight
Australia is home to a vibrant Deaf community, with an estimated one in ten Australians experiencing complete or partial deafness. While there are no definitive statistics on the number of people in the Australian Deaf community, estimates range from 15,400 Deaf users of sign language to 6,500 Deaf Auslan users. The Deaf community in Australia is characterised by a rich heritage and culture, with many members valuing their unique way of life and resistance to cochlear implants. Auslan, or Australian Sign Language, is the primary mode of communication, although some individuals also know spoken English. The community is supported by organisations like Deaf Australia, which advocates for the rights and inclusion of Deaf individuals in society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Complete or partial deafness affects one in 10 Australians | 10% |
| Over three million Australians have at least one long-term hearing disorder | 14% |
| The proportion of people with long-term hearing disorders increases with age | 3% of children aged 0-14 |
| 49% of people aged 75 and over | |
| Aboriginal people are more likely to be deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision than the general population | N/A |
| Deaf Australia relies on the Hyde and Power study as the most reliable indicator of the size of the Australian Deaf community | N/A |
| Hyde and Power (1991) calculated that there were 15,400 Deaf users of sign language, and possibly another 15,000 hearing users | 30,400 |
| Johnston (2004) estimated that there were 6,500 Deaf Auslan users | 6,500 |
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What You'll Learn
Advocacy and information organisations for deaf people in Australia
Australia is home to a large community of deaf people, with approximately 3.5 million Australians living with hearing impairment. This diverse community is represented by several advocacy and information organisations that work tirelessly to promote their rights, culture, and language. One of the most prominent organisations is Deaf Australia, a national, Deaf-led peak body that advocates for the rights and interests of all Deaf Australians. Founded in 1986, Deaf Australia strives to ensure that every deaf person in the country can fully participate in their communities, with Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as their preferred language. They provide information through various formats, including webinars, vodcasts, workshops, and skill-share videos, all offered in Auslan. Deaf Australia also collaborates with governments, stakeholders, and other sectors to uphold the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Another notable organisation is Deaf Connect, which has been offering Australian Sign Language (Auslan) classes since 1985. They work with government and non-government organisations to create accessible video content for Auslan users. Additionally, they provide interpreting services and coordinate connections between the Deaf community and the services they need to live life according to their choices. Deaf Connect also offers an aged care service called Ageing Well, catering to deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing individuals over 65.
Expression Australia, previously known as the Victorian Deaf Society, is a non-profit organisation serving as the primary reference, referral, advice, and support source for Deaf adults in Victoria and Tasmania. They provide specialist services for deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing individuals and their families. Expression Australia also offers advocacy, interpreting services, Auslan classes, and Deaf cultural awareness training to workplaces and community support services.
The Deafness Foundation is another advocacy and information organisation with a specific focus on bilingual Deaf Australians who use both English and Auslan. They strive to provide current and relevant information and direct people to other helpful websites when needed.
Lastly, Aussie Deaf Kids, a registered charity inspired by Catholic traditions, empowers Deaf individuals and their families in Victoria. They organise dynamic workshops for deaf and hard-of-hearing teens in Australia and New Zealand, fostering a strong sense of community and support.
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Cochlear implants for deaf children
Australia is home to a large community of deaf people, with Auslan (Australian Sign Language) being the preferred language of many. Deaf Australia, a not-for-profit organisation founded in 1986, represents the interests of the deaf community in the country.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, cochlear implants can be a viable option to improve their sense of sound. A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that is surgically implanted into the bone surrounding the ear (temporal bone). It works by turning sound into electrical energy, mimicking the function of a normal ear. The implant consists of two parts: an internal receiver-stimulator and an external microphone/receiver, speech processor, and antenna.
Cochlear implants have been approved by the FDA for use in eligible children as young as 9 months old. Research has shown that early implantation, followed by intensive therapy, can significantly improve a child's ability to hear, comprehend sound and music, and speak. Studies have found that children who receive implants early in life may develop language skills at a rate comparable to their normally hearing peers and can succeed in mainstream classrooms.
Before receiving a cochlear implant, a thorough examination by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor is necessary. Hearing tests, CT or MRI scans, and psychological assessments may also be required to determine if a person is a suitable candidate for the surgery. While the surgery is considered relatively safe, there are still some risks involved, as with any surgical procedure. After the surgery, the patient works with specialists to learn to "hear" and interpret sounds using the implant.
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Australian Sign Language (Auslan)
Australian Sign Language, or Auslan, is the sign language used by the majority of the Australian Deaf community. It is related to British Sign Language (BSL) and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), with all three descending from the same parent language and forming the BANZSL language family. Despite the shared spoken language of Australia and Britain, Auslan and BSL are very different, with Auslan using a two-handed alphabet, compared to the one-handed alphabet of ASL.
The origin of Auslan cannot be attributed to any individual. Instead, it is a natural language that emerged spontaneously and has changed over time. It was influenced by sign language varieties brought over from Britain and Ireland during the nineteenth century, with the first Catholic school for Deaf children being established in 1875 by Irish nuns. As such, Auslan evolved from BSL, with the influence of Irish Sign Language (ISL) giving rise to Australian Irish Sign Language (AISL).
Auslan was recognised by the Australian government as a "community language other than English" and the preferred language of the Deaf community in policy statements in 1987 and 1991. However, this recognition has been slow to filter through to many institutions, government departments, and professionals who work with deaf people.
Auslan has two dominant dialects: Northern (Queensland and New South Wales) and Southern (Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia). These dialects differ significantly, with different signs used for common concepts such as colours, animals, and days of the week. Despite these differences, communication between Auslan users from different regions is usually not difficult, as most Deaf Australians become aware of different regional vocabulary as they grow older, through travel and Deaf community networks.
Deaf Australia is a Deaf-led advocacy and information organisation representing all Deaf, Deafblind, and hard-of-hearing people who use Auslan as their language of preference. It was founded in 1986 as a not-for-profit organisation and strives to ensure every deaf person in Australia has the right to full participation in their communities, with Auslan as the preferred choice of language.
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Deaf community and culture
The Deaf community in Australia is a diverse cultural and linguistic minority group with many distinctive characteristics, including language, values, and behaviours. The community identifies itself as a cultural and linguistic minority group and does not refer to itself as a disability group. Members of the community prefer to be referred to as Deaf. The community is similar to an ethnic community, with members socialising, playing sports, worshipping, and engaging in political lobbying together.
The Deaf community in Australia primarily uses Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as their language of choice. Auslan is the native language of only a minority of deaf signers, as most deaf people have hearing parents. However, the language is highly valued by the community, and anyone who does not respect it is unlikely to be accepted within Deaf culture. It is not necessary to be fully fluent in Auslan, but it is important to acknowledge its value and respect it as a language in its own right. If a person can demonstrate that they understand Auslan's importance for the Deaf community, they will be helped to learn it.
Deaf people who are part of the Deaf community are bilingual and bicultural, using Auslan within the Deaf community and English to varying degrees of fluency in the hearing world. They live and work with varying levels of integration with hearing people and within the hearing community. While they may face discrimination, prejudice, and misunderstandings in the hearing culture, they lead rich and fulfilling social, sporting, and cultural lives within the Deaf community.
Deaf Australia is a Deaf-led advocacy and information organisation representing all Deaf, Deafblind, and hard-of-hearing people in Australia. It was founded in 1986 as a not-for-profit organisation and strives to ensure that every deaf person in Australia has the right to full participation in their communities, with Auslan as the preferred choice of language. The organisation provides information through various formats, including webinars, vodcasts, workshops, and skill-share videos. It also offers products for the Deaf community for learning or leisure purposes through the Auslan Shop.
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Census data and statistics on deaf people in Australia
The Australian deaf community is a group of people who are either deaf or hard of hearing and primarily use Auslan (Australian Sign Language) to communicate. According to the World Health Organization, deafness refers to "profound hearing loss, which implies very little or no hearing". People who are hard of hearing experience "hearing loss ranging from mild to severe".
Complete or partial deafness affects one in ten Australians, with over three million people (14%) experiencing at least one long-term hearing disorder. The proportion of people with long-term hearing disorders increases with age, affecting 3% of children aged 0-14 and 49% of people aged 75 and over.
While there are no definitive statistics on the number of people in the Australian deaf community, estimates vary. Hyde and Power (1991) estimated there were 15,400 deaf users of sign language, with a possible additional 15,000 hearing users. In contrast, Johnston (2004) estimated a smaller community of 6,500 native signers. Deaf Australia, the peak organisation representing the deaf community in Australia, perceives the community of Auslan users to be larger than native signers, as many learn the language later in life.
The Australian deaf community is considered bicultural, with individuals interacting with both deaf and hearing communities and cultures. They choose how much time to spend and how strongly to identify with each community. The deaf community values its distinct culture and language, with many members marrying within the community and spending a significant proportion of their social and leisure time with other deaf people.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer to this question. However, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, complete or partial deafness affects one in 10 Australians, which equates to around three million people.
Signers in Australia use a combination of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and natural sign language, signed English, and contact signing.
Deaf Australia is the peak organisation representing deaf people in the country. It was founded in 1986 and strives to ensure every deaf person can fully participate in their communities, with Auslan as the preferred language.
Many deaf people in Australia marry other deaf people and spend a lot of their social time within the deaf community. This is because they find understanding, acceptance, and smooth communication with other deaf people. However, most deaf people are effectively bicultural and interact with both deaf and hearing communities and cultures.
Many deaf people in Australia feel a sense of transnational community and culture with deaf people from other countries. They notice underlying similarities of experience and a particular "deaf" way of looking at the world and responding to it.
