'Representing the Deafblind Community in Victoria'

Posts tagged ‘resource’

New resource – learn the Auslan alphabet from text

There are many styles of communication in the Deafblind community. Some deafblind people grew up using spoken English and now want to learn Auslan. However, most resources for learning Auslan are visual. DBV has produced a new resource for blind and deafblind people, with a text description of the the Auslan alphabet showing each letter’s handshape, position and movement. This resource can be accessed in braille, through a screen reader, or in large print.

There are three versions: the Auslan alphabet for right-handed people, the Auslan alphabet for left-handed people, and Deafblind palm fingerspelling. This resource was developed by our wonderful volunteer KJ who continues to support DBV from home while we are in lockdown. We welcome feedback! Let us know if you found this guide useful, or if we can improve it in any way. You can download the resource by clicking on the links below for your preferred version:

New resource for blind and deafblind women: ‘Our Right to Safety and Respect’

In 2018, Women With Disabilities Victoria (WDV) developed a guide about violence, abuse, safety and respect. The guide was made by and for women with disabilities. Versions were made in plain English, Easy English and Auslan.

WDV saw that the resources may not be accessible to women who are blind or deafblind. These women already face barriers accessing support services and information when experiencing intimate partner violence or other forms of violence.

WDV recently adapted the resources and produced new versions in braille (grades 1 & 2), audio and audio-described video. Deafblind Victoria consulted with WDV on braille versions of the guide. The new resources were released on 2 July 2020. Deafblind Victoria is proud to support this project and its contribution to the safety of women in the Deafblind community.