Many Deafblind people use Auslan interpreters regularly for medical appointments, at work, at family events and with services like banking. We want interpreters to know how to work with us. We might use tactile signing, visual frame signing, tracking or deafblind fingerspelling. We might need the interpreter to be aware of the right lighting with contrasting clothing, or the right distance to position themselves. We often want interpreters to give us visual information about the environment, as well as what is spoken. For some of us, haptic signals on the upper arm or back can help us know more about what is going on.
To help interpreters learn about our needs, Deafblind Victoria held a workshop for interpreters with the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association of Victoria & Tasmania (ASLIA Vic/Tas) on the 13th May 2023 at the John Pierce Centre in Prahran. Presenters were Heather Lawson, Michelle Stevens, Rodney Baskett and Jasper Cleland.
Well done to all interpreters who participated! We look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you also to ASLIA Vic/Tas for collaboring with us on this workshop.
