News

Want to know how Parliament works? With the state election coming up, it's a great time to learn more! Join us for an Auslan tour of Parliament House led by Deaf Victoria Executive General Manager Philip Waters!

🗓️Thursday, 29 October, 5pm - 6pm (please arrive 15 minutes early ...Read moreto get through security first)
📍Parliament House Victoria, Spring Street, Melbourne - meet inside the foyer
Limited spots available so be sure to book! To book your spot, please email community@parliament.vic.gov.au

This event is delivered in proud partnership between the Parliament of Victoria @victorianparliament and Deaf Victoria.

Transcript: You may know we have our upcoming election soon on 28 November. Those who become MPs will work together in government or oppositions. But do you know where they'll work together? At Parliament House! I'm going to be presenting and delivering a tour for deaf Auslan users explaining how the Parliament House works,
about their history and much more. I won't spoil it and tell you anything more - you'll have to come and see for yourselves! If you're interested, you'll need to register your name. The tour is free and will take place at 5-6pm on 28 of October.

Hey, did you know that Deaf Victoria shares our latest updates, events, and resources each month via our e-news platform? You can get these direct to your email inbox!

✉️ Missed out on this month's issue? No worries! Check it out via the link in our bio or here: ...Read morehttps://mailchi.mp/deafvictoria/deaf-victoria-e-news-october-2026

🔗 Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe via the link in our bio or here: https://us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3e9ab1b96b89c5d1515fd3ba4&id=a3e348df39

Transcript:
Did you see flash on my phone!? This means someone recently messaged me. If you don’t have this set up, I can show you how to use this next Thursday.

iPhones have many other access features I can show you how to use. For example, live captions, sound and name ...Read morerecognition and sensory alerts.

If you are at cafe when someone speaks your name, this can show up on your phone. Android phones have different features.

Now, I’ll show you what name recognition could look like for the name Jane.

Here’s another way you could use live captions. See my typed question, “When the train will arrive?” You could present this to someone who may speak in response and use live captions to transcribe what they’ve said. Take a look!

I will show how to use these features on 22 October 10-11:30am at Deaf Victoria. I am excited to show you how to use them. See you soon, bye!

On Monday, Deaf Victoria EGM Philip Waters headed to Geelong to meet with Barwon Health CEO Frances Diver to discuss Deaf and hard of hearing people accessing hospital and health services.
It was a valuable opportunity to discuss where barriers currently exist and what can be done to improve ...Read morecommunication, accessibility and the overall healthcare experience for our community.
Importantly, Barwon Health has agreed to meet directly with the Deaf community in Geelong to hear about their experiences and discuss accessibility and how services can be improved.
Watch this space — we’ll share more information soon about when and where the community conversation will take place in Geelong.
#DeafVictoria #BarwonHealth #Geelong #Accessibility #DeafCommunity #InclusiveHealthcare

Deaf Culture Around the World – North Macedonia, the Philippines and Sweden with Katerina, Vaneza and Cecilia.

Join us for an engaging session exploring Deaf culture across different countries. Learn about Deaf community life in North Macedonia, Philippines and Sweden, and how it ...Read morecompares to Australia. You’ll also get a chance to explore some of their sign languages and enjoy a taste of traditional sweets.

This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate cultural diversity within the Deaf community.

📅 Saturday 7 November, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
📍 Ross House
Level 4 – Hayden Raysmith room
247–251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

RSVP through Humanitix: link in Instagram bio / https://events.humanitix.com/learn-about-deaf-culture-around-the-world-part-2

This event is for deaf and hard of hearing attendees only. Support workers, CommGuides and interpreters accompanying a deaf or hard of hearing attendee are welcome. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, please email us.

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We are proudly delivering projects for the Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS.

Video Transcript:
Paula: Hey! You might remember that we organised three deaf presenters to share about their countries' culture, foods and unique differences
back in July. Many people attended, loved it, and ask for it to happen again. So we're organising a second event for Saturday 7 November! We'll have three different deaf presenters tell us about their countries. If you want to find out who, keep watching!
Cecilia: Hi my name is Cecilia. This is my sign name. I'm from Sweden. You might know about the famous phrase, "Fika". What exactly is that? Come and find out there!
Vaneza: Hi, my name is Vaneza, and this is my sign name. I'm from the Philippines. So where exactly? Well, it's a vast country of over 7,000 islands. I'm from a little island in the middle called Bohol. This is the sign for Bohol, because it's famous for the Chocolate Hills. You see them, and it feels as though you could grab them and eat them. If you want to know more, come along and watch my presentation.
Katerina: Hello, this is my sign name. My name is Katerina. I'm from North Macedonia. If you're wondering why we have a North Macedonia, but not a South Macedonia, please come along!
Paula: It's awesome that we'll have those three presenting for us! We can watch and learn about their countries and cultures. Also, food will be provided and the event is free. But spots are limited, so you'll need to RSVP. Take a look at the link. And see you there!

Deaf Culture Around the World – North Macedonia, Philippines and Sweden with Katerina, Vaneza and Cecilia.

Join us for an engaging session exploring Deaf culture across different countries. Learn about Deaf community life in North Macedonia, Philippines and Sweden, and how it compares ...Read moreto Australia. You’ll also get a chance to explore some of their sign languages and enjoy a taste of traditional sweets.

This is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate cultural diversity within the Deaf community.

📅 Saturday 7 November, 3:00pm – 4:30pm
📍 Ross House
Level 4 – Hayden Raysmith room
247–251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

RSVP through Humanitix: link in Instagram bio / https://events.humanitix.com/learn-about-deaf-culture-around-the-world-part-2

This event is for deaf and hard of hearing attendees only. Support workers, CommGuides and interpreters accompanying a deaf or hard of hearing attendee are welcome. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, please email us.

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We are proudly delivering projects for the Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS.

Last week on 6 October, Deaf Victoria’s Executive General Managers, Natasha Gallardo and Philip Waters, are attending the VCOSS Community Sector Summit 2026.⠀
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It’s a great opportunity to connect with leaders and organisations from across Victoria’s community sector, share ideas ...Read moreand hear about the challenges and opportunities shaping our sector.⠀
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For Deaf Victoria, being part of these conversations is important to ensuring Deaf and hard of hearing Victorians are represented as we work towards stronger, more accessible and inclusive communities.⠀
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We’re looking forward to a great day of learning, connection and conversation.⠀
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#DeafVictoria #VCOSS #CommunitySector #Accessibility #Inclusion #DeafCommunity

Deaf Tips Video Series - Condition X on Drivers Licences

Our Regional Outreach Officer, Mel, explains what Condition X on a Victorian driver licence means and what to do if you think it should be removed. Mel shares information about getting a report from your audiologist or GP and how to...Read more apply for a review.

Credit for photo of Mel: @anastasialekontseva

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We are proudly delivering projects for the Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS.

This video shares tips only. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by any brands, products, or apps shown.

Transcript: Hello! Welcome to Deaf Tips. You might already know that Victoria drivers licenses may have a Condition X on them. This may mean you are not allowed to drive unless you are wearing your hearing aid or Cochlear implant. If you have this condition on your driver's license and disagree with it, you don't have to accept it. It's possible to have it removed. You can reach out to your audiologist or GP for a report which you can submit to an online portal, linked above. The report from your audiologist or GP needs to state that driving without a hearing aid or cochlear implant does not pose a risk or danger. VicRoads will assess your request and consider the possibility of changing your licence to remove this condition. Many hearing people assume that it is dangerous for deaf people to drive because they can't hear, in terms of the number of road accidents and incidents, but in actuality hearing and deaf people are quite similar in their levels of road safety.
If you're stuck or you need help, please contact us at Deaf Victoria and we'll support you. Good luck and drive safe. Bye!

Transcript: Hello, how are you? I'm excited to let you know that on Thursday we have our Deaf Life Skills Workshop from 10-11:30 at the Deaf Victoria office. The topics will be about how to use phones, iPads, laptops, and devices, for different captioning apps and how to set them up. Please ...Read morebring devices, and we can teach you how to get that set up. Looking forward to seeing you there. Bye-bye!

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We are proudly delivering projects for the Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS.

👏 Congratulations to Deaf Victoria’s Philip Waters!

We’re proud to acknowledge Philip’s contribution to the latest edition of The Volta Review, the peer-reviewed research journal of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

It’s fantastic ...Read moreto see Philip contributing his knowledge, experience and perspective to the broader international conversation about deafness and hearing loss.

Congratulations Philip – a wonderful achievement and contribution! 👏

Read the latest edition of The Volta Review here:
https://agbell.org/docs/volta-review/volume-126-no-01/

#DeafVictoria #DeafAndHardOfHearing #TheVoltaReview #Research #HearingLoss

Volume 126, No. 01 – Alexander Graham Bell Association

The Volta Review Volume 126, No. 01 Volume 125, No. 01 Volume 124, No. 01 Volume 123, No. 01 Volume 122, No. 01 Volume 121, No. 01-02 Volume 120, No....

agbell.org

The Inquiry into voting centre accessibility results are out!

Video reposted from @victorianparliament

Check out the full report here: vicparl.news/vca

Video transcript:

An inquiry into voting centre accessibility recommends that a new approach be adopted to ...Read moresupport people with disability at elections. This new approach would better integrate accessibility into planning and processes, and would include a broader understanding of disability. The inquiry also identified a number of simple changes, such as providing more seating at voting centres, better communicating what supports are available, making accessibility tools easier to access, and a number of bigger changes, such as a trial of specially trained accessibility officers at voting centres and publishing more information about the accessibility of venues. Access the executive summary and Auslan on the website.

Transcript: I want to make a sad announcement, our first president Malcolm Shannon passed away recently.
He was involved with the Deaf Committee in the late 1970s and when they started challenging the deaf society, they were disbanded.
In 1982, during the UN’s International Year of ...Read moreDisabilities, deaf people realised they could form their own organisation separate to the deaf society.
Thus, VCOD (Victorian Council of Deaf People, which became Deaf Victoria) was born at the first Annual General Meeting in November 1982.
Malcolm believed in deaf equal rights and empowerment of our own affairs.
Malcolm was at the AGM and was well respected by his peers to be elected the first Deaf President of our own organisation.
He moved out of state when he married but recently moved back to Victoria and when he visited our office and said he was so proud to see the organisation grow from a small volunteer run organisation to a professional funded organisation.
He always made time to give us his valued ideas and time in consultations we facilitated.
He was always ready to tell many stories and with his infectious smile, people loved to hear those stories. He had a big warm heart for everyone.
We will always remember and miss him. Condolences to his family and friends from all of us at Deaf Victoria.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxGXtmR2RNA

Vale Malcolm Shannon - our first President

Transcript: I want to make a sad announcement, our first president ...

youtu.be

Want to know how Parliament works? With the state election coming up, it's a great time to learn more! Join us for an Auslan tour of Parliament House led by Deaf Victoria Executive General Manager Philip Waters!

🗓️Thursday, 29 October, 5pm - 6pm (please arrive 15 minutes early to...Read more get through security first)
📍Parliament House Victoria, Spring Street, Melbourne - meet inside the foyer
Limited spots available so be sure to book! To book your spot, please email community@parliament.vic.gov.au

This event is delivered in proud partnership between the Parliament of Victoria @victorianparliament and Deaf Victoria.

Celebrating the Geelong Deaf Community through National Week of Deaf People!

This interview project shines a light on the diversity of Geelong’s Deaf community and shows in each video that we can do anything 💪🙌

Meet Renee D’Offay, who became deaf later in life, is an ...Read moreauthor of her own book, and teaches families Auslan.

In case you missed them, check out our other two interviews of Brian and Jenny Bernal, and Mel Pritchard, posted earlier this week!

Videography credit to: @anastasialekontseva

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We are proudly delivering projects for the Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS.

Looking for open-captioned movies to watch in the cinemas these school holidays?

Look no further than the Hear and See Captions website! https://hearandsee.com.au/

Reposted from @hearandseehascaptions