Queenslanders challenged to open their eyes to the Deaf

Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
10/10/2009
Queenslanders challenged to open their eyes to the Deaf
 
Disabilities Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on Queenslanders be more aware of the Deaf in their own community during National Week of Deaf People starting today (Saturday 10 October).

The National Week of Deaf People is a week-long national celebration of deaf individuals and the deaf Australian community running to Friday 16 October.

"National Week of Deaf People is an opportunity for the Deaf to celebrate and raise public awareness of their community and language, "she said.

"It's also a time when enterprises and individuals can build relationships with deaf people and recognise their achievements.

"Greater community awareness can only lead to the greater social inclusion of the Deaf and people who are hard of hearing and their families."

The Queensland Government contributes almost $1.3 million in annual funding to Deaf Services Queensland, a non-government organisation that provides in-home accommodation support, group home accommodation support, learning and life skills development and information and referral.

"I'm pleased to announce today that the Bligh Government will deliver $140,000 to Deaf Services Queensland to establish a service in the Townsville area," she said.

"These funds will help people who are deaf and hard to hearing to access information referral and community support and interpreting services."

Ms Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government also provides almost $40,000 a year to the Hear and Say Centre to provide a statewide information and support service to families of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Hear and Say focuses on helping these children to communicate and integrate into mainstream education through cochlear implants.