In 2023, DBV was excited to receive a peer-support grant from TGV (Transgender Victoria) for a project which brings together Deafblind trans/gender-diverse/nonbinary people with the wider TGDNB community. The pilot project, QAT (Queer Auslan Together), was an outstanding success. We want to shout out a huge thank you to TGV!
At QAT, transgender and non-binary people connect to practice tactile Auslan and deafblind communication. Events are organised and facilitated by deafblind trans people.
The project aims to address social isolation and exclusion by fostering friendships and understanding between communities. Non-deafblind TGDNB participants gain skills and confidence in deafblind communication, and connection to the Deafblind community. Deafblind trans participants gain connection to the TGDNB community, as well as skills in event organisation and facilitation.
This project was the first initiative to bring TGDNB and Deafblind communities together, providing a unique opportunity to share and learn diverse methods of communication. Group attendees were diverse in gender, age, and ability. Participants ranged from young adults to seniors and included individuals who were Deafblind, hearing/sighted, hearing/blind and deaf/sighted. There were people with brain injuries, stroke survivors, wheelchair users, people with mental illnesses, and neurodivergent individuals. This diversity contributed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all participants.
To learn more about the highlights, successes and challenges of the project, as well as behind-the-scenes reflections from the organisers, you can click here to download the full project report (PDF document).
And now! … *drum roll and attention-grabbing floor stomp* … QAT will return very soon! We have recently received another $10000 to continue the program, so another huge thank you to TGV!
Watch this space for dates, and please get in touch if you’re interested. We may be spoiling a little surprise by saying this here, but we will have a stall at the Deaf Queer Festival this Saturday, May 3rd at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. Hope to meet you there.
