Skip to content
General News, Government Federal

Inclusion and access! Meaningless words for Deaf Australians as Australian Electoral Commission deems Auslan translation of The Voice is ‘not required’ and the Federal Government can’t help.

Expression Australia 2 mins read

Millions of Deaf and Hard of hearing Australians are being denied access to adequate information about the Voice to Parliament because the Australian Electoral Commission decided that Auslan translation videos were 'not required'.

Expression Australia, the foremost service provider for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Australians took its concerns to the Australian Government yesterday but was surprised to discover that the Federal Government was unable to intervene as the AEC is responsible for the administration of federal referendums.

Expression Australia CEO, Rebecca Adam is outraged at what she says is 'discrimination by omission' claiming that it's an appalling irony that a decision concerning Deaf and Hard of hearing Australians was made without their input and that limited information risked a plethora of donkey votes. "Access and inclusion are words used so often that the actuality of what they mean is forgotten. Auslan is the first and for many, the only language for thousands of DAHOH, Auslan does not directly translate into English text, we must stop assuming all Deaf people can read English. The decision by the AEC and inability of the Federal Government to intervene is a classic example of where policy gets in the way of understanding communication needs for a vulnerable community that is silent through Deafness and without a voice."

Ms Adams is the first Deaf person to lead the organisation in its 139 year history and is hopeful that the outcome of her meeting with the Government's key advisors will lead to meaningful change in the future. "We need interpreters for all announcements, it's not just emergencies that DAHOH is interested in, we are a part of the Australian community and communication is key at any level of engagement including  but not limited to discussion about the Voice being available in Auslan for Deaf and Hard of hearing Australians.

It estimated that there are four million Deaf and Hard of hearing people in Australia and 43% of Indigenous Australians over seven years of age have hearing loss. Following the decision by the AEC in August, Expression Australia with Deaf Aboriginal Services created the first and only Auslan videos about the 14th of October vote and is now working on translating a webinar to inform those who would otherwise have no access to information in their first language.

https://www.expression.com.au/projects/voice-referendum-auslan    


Key Facts:
  •  
  • More than 4 million Australians are Deaf and Hard of hearing (DAHOH) 
  • 43% of Indigenous Australians are DAHOH - Approx 500,000 
  • Latest census estimates approx 17K use Auslan as their only form of language - though estimated to be much higher.
  • Auslan doesn't translate directly into written English. 
  • Expression Australia CEO, Rebecca Adam is the organisation's first Deaf CEO and available for interview

About us:

About Expression Australia

Expression Australia’s purpose is to create opportunities for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing by delivering targeted services and affecting social change. Expression Australia enables Deaf communities to flourish and is inclusive of all members of those communities, irrespective of age or background.

Since 1884, as an iconic and progressive community organisation, our service delivery and supports continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of our Deaf and hard of hearing people. We celebrate the rich heritage and cultural diversity of the Deaf community.

Our team is driven by a passion to work in a bi-lingual, bi-cultural organisation that respects both Auslan and English and work collaboratively together, including the development of co-designing services and market leading programs, navigation of the NDIS and ensuring improved access,inclusion, and equal opportunity.


Contact details:

For interviews and more information:

Kellie Curtain

M: 0412339690

[email protected]

More from this category

  • Community, General News
  • 16/05/2025
  • 06:00
Wesley Mission

National Volunteers Week: Wesley Mission Celebrates 1,000+ Volunteers: Changing Lives, One Hour at a Time

Media release 16 May 2025 Wesley Mission Celebrates 1,000+ Volunteers: Changing Lives, One Hour at a Time As National Volunteer Week (19-26 May 2025) approaches, Wesley Mission is shining a spotlight on the life-changing power of volunteering, with more than 1,000 passionate individuals giving their time to support those who need it most. From mentoring young minds to brightening the days of older Australians, Wesley Mission volunteers are making an impact across all ages and stages of life. Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron, is constantly amazed at the dedication and compassion of the volunteers. “Volunteering at Wesley Mission is…

  • Contains:
  • General News
  • 15/05/2025
  • 20:56
Anaqua

Anaqua Acquires RightHub to Accelerate Global Growth

Acquisition underscores Anaqua’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions to Innovation & IP professionals globallyBOSTON, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anaqua, a leading provider of innovation and intellectual property (IP) management technology, today announced that it has acquired IP management software and services provider RightHub®. The acquisition represents a continuation of Anaqua’s strategy to deliver solutions positioned to meet the needs of customers in various segments worldwide and strengthens its organizational footprint in the UK, Sweden, and Denmark.RightHub's AI-native platform, which has been designed to meet the needs of mid-size law firms and corporations, will remain a distinct brand complementing…

  • General News
  • 15/05/2025
  • 16:50
The WGC2025 National Organizing Committee

The 29th World Gas Conference to be held in Beijing

BEIJING, May 15, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/-- The 29th World Gas Conference (WGC2025) will be held from May 19 to 23 at the National Convention Center in Beijing, the first to be held in China since its inception in 1931.Theconference will feature four key highlights that are worth paying attention to. F ocus on New Trends in the Natural Gas Industry amid Energy Transition Energy security and low-carbon transformation have become global issues, and natural gas, with its characteristics of "safety, affordability, and sustainability," has become a key bridge to a sustainable future. Li Yalan, President of the International Gas Union (IGU),…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.