Member story
Category description.
While we are here, i recommend changing this category to plural.. “Member Stories”
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Deafblind Community NSW
We are so proud to learn about what our Deafblind peers are doing in NSW! The Hunter Deafblind Group in Newcastle run a “hub” (drop-in program) every second Friday, and do amazing work supporting deafblind people and their families, including advocacy, research and outreach. They have recently started activities in Sydney too! Stephen Hallinan and…
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Jasper on diHARD Radio: Lived Experience, Access, and Community
Last year, Jasper was interviewed on diHARD: Diversity and Inclusion – The Hard Topics, a show on community radio station JOY 94.9. Jasper shared his lived experience as a deafblind queer trans man and raising awareness about what deafblindness really means in everyday life. In the interview, Jasper spoke honestly about common misconceptions. “Being treated…
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Member story – Steven Hellier Work at Royal Society for the Blind
Steven Hellier is a Deafblind man who lives in Adelaide. He visited Melbourne and told us how things are for Deafblind people in South Australia, including working at the Royal Society for the Blind. His video is in Auslan, and a transcript of it is below. “Hi, my name is Steven Hellier. I’m from Adelaide. I’m visiting on…
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Media appearance – DBV members on ABC news
Congratulations to Jael Espinal-McCoskey, who was featured recently on ABC TV, radio, and in an article on the ABC news site! The video story and articles show the wider community what it’s like to live day-to-day as as Deafblind person in Victoria. DBV’s Michelle Stevens also appears in the story. Michelle says “A lot of…
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Deafblind West Australians – DBWA visits Melbourne
We were delighted to host two special guests from our sibling organisation, Deafblind West Australians (DBWA), on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. DBWA is a deafblind community group in Western Australia. It’s sometimes hard for Deafblind people to stay connected, so contact with other Deafblind people around the country is really important to us. Hannah McPierzie…
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Generation Women – Heather Lawson’s Presentation
Generation Women Australia is a series of storytelling events that aims to unite and empower women. On 25 September 2024, six Deaf women of different generations told personal stories to a live audience in Melbourne. DBV member Heather Lawson was one of the presenters. She gave an inspiring story about her life as a deafblind…
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Member Story – Kathy plays blind tennis
DBV member Kathy Wise was featured on Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria‘s Facebook page, participating in their Blind Tennis program with support from Hannah from Able Australia. Kathy told DBV “my favourite sport is TENNIS at Melbourne Park every Friday evening except school holidays! It is a lots of fun to play with very friendly people…
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Remembering Joanne Porter
It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Joanne Porter, a cherished member of Deafblind Victoria. Jo touched many lives and will be profoundly missed. Here is a personal tribute from our President Alex Sar: Saddened to hear the sad news that one of the Deafblind Community’s finest has…
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Auslan in the Deafblind community
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…
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Deafblind artist Joe’s artwork at the State Library of Victoria
Great news! Talented Deafblind Printmaker, Joe Monteleone’s iconic Flinders’ Street Linocut artwork is now, and ALWAYS proudly on display at the State Library of Victoria, after they purchased the 1st Edition to put up on display for everyone to enjoy! It’s amazing to see members of the Deafblind community, like the talented artist Joe, continue…
