The Deafblind community have come to Ross House for many years. At Ablelink from 1999, we learned about accessible technology and braille. We got support there, and we shared our skills and knowledge with each other. It was an important meeting place for the Deafblind community. When Ablelink closed, Deafblind Victoria set up a new deafblind community space in the original Ablelink room, with support from Ross House and money from the federal government.
It was fun setting up the room from scratch to suit our needs, with a U-shaped layout for moving around by touch (“trailing”), and accessible computers with large monitors and refreshable braille displays. We painted one wall black and installed bright lights. When we got dark carpet, we added bright-coloured tape to the edges of our chairs, so we can see them easily. It’s a great space for the three project activities: 1) a drop-in program for support and social connection, 2) deafblind skillsharing sessions, and 3) volunteering for Auslan students.
Since July 2021, DBV Connect has been open every Thursday 10am to 4pm, except for the Christmas break. So far, that’s over 90 days, and over 300 visits! Deafblind people come to share news and get support from staff, volunteers and each other. Two qualified Auslan interpreters help members with all kinds of issues, from scanning a document, to getting a refund for faulty product, to understanding a letter from Centrelink. Some participants want to talk through a personal issue and get advice or referrals. Others just want a safe place to sit – respite from a home environment where family cannot communicate with them. Members borrow devices so they can stay connected when their device is not working. Through Covid lockdowns, when support and deafblind-friendly information was hard to find, DBV Connect was a lifeline for our vulnerable community.
At DBV, we believe that deafblind people have a lot to offer when we are given the opportunity. We can give support, and not just receive it. A deafblind project officer with DBV Connect gives training in braille and technology. Many others have shared skills such as tactile Auslan, macrame, or how to hang pictures on a wall. Some have presented at Deafblind awareness workshops. Others made videos for the DBV website and Facebook page with handy tips about managing things at home as a deafblind person. In total, deafblind people have run over 70 skill-sharing sessions so far. Deafblind people who share their skills receive gift vouchers, and some have also been supported to set up an ABN and start invoicing for their work. It’s wonderful to have this pathway to paid work and recognition for our abilities.
Volunteers who are Auslan students have been a big part of DBV Connect’s success. There has been at least one volunteer present at each of the drop-in days, working with deafblind visitors, or accompanying us to a nearby store in the city of Melbourne for supplies. Volunteers say there are few other opportunities for them to practise Auslan, and they find working with DBV Connect very rewarding. DBV was even recently nominated for a volunteering award! We hope the volunteers stay connected with the Deafblind community for years to come, as future commguides, interpreters and friends.
Please get in touch if you would like to visit DBV Connect, share your skills or volunteer. We are currently funded until mid 2024, but we very much hope that this vital program will be funded beyond then. Fingers crossed!
DBV Connect is supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.
