Parent Council for Deaf Education, Deaf Australia (NSW) and the Deaf Society of NSW
MEDIA RELEASE
For Release: Tuesday 19th October
Deaf Awareness Comes to NSW Parliament
Following the National Week of Deaf People, Parent Council for Deaf Education, Deaf Australia
(NSW) and the Deaf Society of NSW are collaborating with NSW Parliament to run a week of
awareness-raising events at Parliament House.
Events will raise awareness about issues impacting deaf people and give deaf people access to
Parliament house for tours and interpreted question time.
The week begins with a launch by Peter Primrose, Minister for Disability Services, and a panel
discussion facilitated by the charming James OLoghlin of ABC TVs the New Inventors. The panel will
discuss Where To from Here? Deaf Education and the UN Convention on the Rights of People with
Disabilities.
It is great to see the NSW Parliament embracing the Deaf Community, says Kate Matairavula, of
Deaf Australia NSW. Australia has only recently ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People
with Disabilities so events like these are a great opportunity to raise public awareness of the Deaf
Community and our language, Auslan. It shows that being Deaf is a difference to be accepted, not a
condition to be cured.
This is the second year the event has run, thanks to the hard work of Helen Westwood, MLC, who
herself has a deaf daughter. The week has been generously sponsored by the Australian
Communication Exchange.
The launch and panel discussion will be held on Tuesday 19th October at 5.15pm in the Theatrette of
Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney.
Other Auslan interpreted events will run through to Thursday 21st October.
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Issued jointly by:
Parent Council for Deaf Education, Deaf Australia (NSW) and the Deaf
Society of NSW.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kate Matairavula, Deaf Australia (NSW)
0422 920 718 (text only) kmatairavula@deafsociety.com
CLEARED FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
18 October 2010