Many Deafblind people in Victoria use Auslan (Australian Sign Language). Our member survey in 2020 showed that three quarters of our members use some Auslan. We might use “tactile signing” (hand-over-hand), “visual frame” signing in a small space near the face, or “tracking” where we hold the wrists of the person who is signing to us, so we can keep focused on the hands as they move around. Tracking is helpful for those with a small circle of vision (tunnel vision). Some use a special form of the Auslan alphabet called the Deafblind alphabet. Some are learning Auslan; we practise with each other at DBV events, and do peer training one-to-one.
For Auslan Day 2024, Deaf Australia are running a competition of short stories in Auslan. There are four entries from Deafblind people in the running! They are Heather and Jeanette from DBV, Eddie from WA and Joyce from NSW. Voting is now closed, but you can still see all the videos here: https://deafaustralia.org.au/auslan-day-video-competition-2024/community-votes-2024/. We wish Heather, Jeanette, Eddie and Joyce all the best.
Here is Jeanette’s entry, with a translation below:
Once, when my husband Frank was at work, my son Stephen came home from school on the bus. He wanted to go outside and play with his friends. I would always keep an eye on them and make sure they’re ok. Later, when dinner was ready, I went outside to find Stephen, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. Then I saw a boy – another young fellow – I asked him where my boy was. He pointed me in the direction. I went that way, but he was hiding! I chased him around. With my tunnel vision it was difficult to find him. But finally, I caught him. What a relief! We could go home for dinner. Naughty boy!