People who are heaf or have hearing loss use a variety of communication styles. While Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the official language of the Australian Deaf community, not all people who are deaf are fluent in Auslan.
Deaf relay interpreters provide specialised interpreting services for people who do not use Auslan as their primary means of communication.
Deaf relay interpreters are fluent in Auslan and are themselves Deaf. They can use International Sign (a system of gestures used by people who do not share a common sign language), mime or even drawing to facilitate communication between an Auslan/English interpreter and a person who is Deaf but not fluent in Auslan. The Auslan/English interpreter then uses spoken English to deliver the message to the hearing person. The system works in reverse when the hearing person wishes to deliver a message to the client.
Links to suppliers of deaf relay interpreters
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