If you work with someone who is Deaf or hard of hearing, you may wish to do some training to help you communicate at work.
Deaf awareness training
Deaf awareness training allows you to gain insight into the lives and needs of people who are Deaf. It can help you improve your ability to communicate and work with Deaf people.
Our Workplace Adjustment Tool has details about how you can access Deaf awareness training:
Auslan training
Auslan is short for Australian Sign Language. Not all people who are deaf or hard of hearing use Auslan. There are other versions of sign language used in Australia.
Auslan is based on one and two-handed signs and incorporates a two-handed alphabet (finger-spelling). Around 10,000 Deaf Australians currently use Auslan as their community language.
If you work with someone who uses Auslan, you may benefit from training in how to communicate using Auslan.
Our Workplace Adjustment Tool has details about how you can access Auslan training:
Access to financial help for training
If your employer has just employed someone who is Deaf and who uses Auslan, they may be eligible for financial assistance to enable co-workers of the employee to undertake Deaf awareness training or Auslan training. There are certain eligibility rules but the JobAccess Advisers can help you determine if your employer is eligible.
Contact the JobAccess Advisers on freecall 1800 464 800 and ask them about the Employment Assistance Fund.
Australian Federation of Deaf Societies
The Australian Federation of Deaf Societies Incorporated (AFDS) provide a range of information and services. You will find the state and territory contact details for Australian Federation of Deaf Societies organisations using the link below: