9 National Deafness Sector Summit: Australian Hearing Hub Sydney. Saturday 7 May 2016

12May2016
9th National Deafness Sector Summit

Australian Hearing Hub Sydney. Saturday 7 May 2016
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and
community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present. We acknowledge the
challenge that faces Indigenous leaders and families to overcome the unacceptably high levels of ear health issues among first
Australians.
The national conference for the one in six Australians who have a
hearing loss, Deaf, deafblind, or a chronic ear or balance disorder,
and the families who support them.
The conference launched a campaign to make Hearing Health & Well-being a National
Priority in Australia.
Program
Well send you an email to alert you to when transcripts are available for downloading from
the Deafness Forum website.
Future of hearing services in Australia
The Government is investigating the privatisation of Australian Hearing.
Clients of the Australian Government Hearing Services Program who meet the
eligibility criteria will transfer to the NDIS by 2019-20. The audiology
profession is developing national practice standards. Featuring Ann Porter AM,
Aussie Deaf Kids. Margaret Dewberry, Deafness Forum of Australia adviser.
Mark Wyburn, Parents of Deaf Children. Tony Coles, Audiology Australia.
Senator the Hon Doug Cameron, Shadow Minister for Human Services.
2016 Libby Harricks Memorial Oration
Mr John Howard OM AC, 25th Prime Minister of Australia and Patron of

Deafness Forum of Australia
Introduction by Dr Christopher Lind, Libby Harricks Memorial Oration
committee chairperson.
Since 1999, the Libby Harricks Memorial Oration series has raised awareness
of key issues relating to hearing loss and deafness.
Challenges facing the growing number of deaf professionals in the
workplace Alastair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Australia has seen a rise in the number of deaf people achieving positions in
the law, financial management and executive roles in both deaf and
mainstream organisations. The rise reflects the growing opportunities for deaf
people in education and professional development. However, there remain
challenges in provision of support systems if they are to achieve true equality.
Ear and balance disorders Beatrice Tarnawski, Whirled Foundation

Have we fallen through the cracks?
Research, data and concern for people with chronic ear and balance disorders
in Australia.
Findings of the Lets Talk About It Mental Health & Deaf People
conference Gary Kerridge, Deaf Victoria
Specialist mental health support. Communication in emergency situations.
Medical general practitioners awareness of specific issues in providing mental
health support to people who are deaf. Captioning for medical appointments.
Special training for interpreters. Supports and frontline services.
Deafblind perspective
Sven Topp, past president Australian Deafblind
Council
Sven has also been involved in advocacy at the state and national arenas and
through the World Federation of the Deafblind. He works to narrow the gap
between the various groups of Deafblind individuals, reaching out to the
Ushers community and learning Auslan.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the workplace Paul Brant,
Manager Recruitment Services for Australian Hearing

Australian Hearing has increased its representation of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander employment rate from 0.6% in 2012 to its current rate of 2.4%.
A proactive structure and a RAP designed to be the roadmap for success.
Family support from the cradle to the grave Leonie Jackson, The Deaf
Society chief executive officer

Deafness has an impact, both positive and negative, on individuals and their
families. Various government funded initiatives including the National Disability
Insurance Scheme, National Auslan Booking Service and National Relay Service
have paved the way for deaf individuals to access vital services and be
empowered to participate in their communities. But what about their families?
Improving hearing assistance to older Australians
Basil Turner,
LinkAGE Program, hearing helper program

Three-quarters of aged care recipients suffer some degree of hearing loss. It
is often not realised that even a slight to moderate hearing impairment can
inhibit social interaction resulting in significantly reduced quality of life and
may also increase depression and dementia.
Future funding for Cochlear implant upgrades? Sue Walters, President,
CICADA Australia (Cochlear Implant Support Group)

There are gaps in funding when it comes to providing upgrades for over 65s,
who will not theoretically be eligible for the NDIS funding as it rolls out.
People power
The 9th National Deafness Sector Summit was the perfect time to launch our new national
campaign, Break the Sound Barrier.
Break the Sound Barrier is uniting our entire sector for a common cause - to make hearing
health and well being a national health priority. It was developed after extensive research
with key stakeholders and our community to find out their key concerns, and feedback on a
campaign that would be a voice we can all support.
Breaking the sound barrier refers to the fact that hearing health and well being is not one
of Australias national health priorities. It means there we do not have adequate
investment in services and research we need. It also means there is not a focus
on community education. Its a barrier that is preventing too many Australians from
reaching their potential.
The campaign which was launched on Saturday by our Chair David Brady now has a new
website and Facebook page and even video. Its aim is to tell our stories and share our
experiences to get hearing health and well being on the national agenda. The long term
goal is for state and the federal governments agreeing to make hearing Australias 10th
national health priority. This will take time.
Weve also put together a six point election plan that campaign supporters will be asking all
parties to support ahead of the election to show theyre listening. Its called Be Heard this
election. Weve already started to be heard in the media and this is only the beginning.
Its been an amazing journey to get the campaign to this point, and we couldnt have done
it without the support and funding of our partner organisations. It has also been wonderful
to see the support from everyone right across our sector.
The key to the campaigns success will be our community. One in six Australians has a
hearing health issue or is Deaf. We need to reach out to the 5 in six Australians who dont
to help make us a voice politicians on all sides cant ignore. Which is why were urging
everyone to have a look, sign up, and share the pages with our friends, family and
colleagues.
www.breakthesoundbarrier.org.au
https://www.facebook.com/breaksoundbarrier/
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Items in Deafness Forum communications incorporate or summarise views, standards or recommendations of
third parties or comprise material contributed by third parties or sourced from items published in the public
domain. Our intention is to attain balance and be representative of all views within the sector we represent,
however this may not be attainable in particular editions. Subjective censoring of materials and or external
influence on editorial policy will not occur. Third party material is assembled in good faith, but does not
necessarily reflect the considered views of Deafness Forum, or indicate commitment to a particular course of
action. Deafness Forum makes no representation or warranty about the accuracy, reliability, currency or
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9 National Deafness Sector Summit: Australian Hearing Hub Sydney. Saturday 7 May 2016

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12May2016

9th National Deafness Sector Summit

Mr John Howard OM AC, 25th Prime Minister of Australia and Patron of

Ear and balance disorders Beatrice Tarnawski, Whirled Foundation

Sven Topp, past president Australian Deafblind

Manager Recruitment Services for Australian Hearing

Society chief executive officer

LinkAGE Program, hearing helper program

CICADA Australia (Cochlear Implant Support Group)

Know someone who might like to receive One in

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