Deaf Services and Deaf Society
Australian Community Leaders sign a message of support for the Deaf Community for International Day of Sign Languages.
On Wednesday 23rd September, the United Nations sanctioned International Day of Sign
Languages, the Auslan Community Leaders Challenge hits social media.
Leonie Jackson, Executive Manager, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships at Deaf Services and
the Deaf Society says "the second Auslan Community Leaders Challenge invites Australian
Community Leaders to demonstrate their support for 30,000 Australians who use Auslan;
Australian Sign Language, as their primary language.
"This year 52 Community Leaders accepted the challenge to try their hand at signing their name
and their support for the Deaf community," Mrs Jackson says.
"We are pleased to see so many Community Leaders recognise the importance of access for Deaf
people through the Auslan Challenge."
"In line with this year's theme, these messages acknowledge the importance of improving access
to emergency information, accredited interpreter services and information for families of Deaf
children that outlines the full spectrum of opportunities available to their child.
"New in 2020, Deaf Community members have also developed their stories demonstrating the
significant impact improved access to information and interpreters has had on their lives."
Who's involved?
• The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia,
• The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Labor Party
• His Excellency General the Hon. David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley
• Her Excellency the Hon. Margaret Beazley AC QC Governor of New South Wales
• Her Honour the Hon. Vicki O'Halloran AO, Administrator of Northern Territory
• His Excellency the Hon. Paul de Jersey AC Governor of Queensland
• Her Excellency Professor the Hon. Kate Warner AC Governor of Tasmania
• The Hon. Linda Dessau AC Governor of Victoria
• His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le, AC Governor of South Australia
• The Hon. Kim Beazley AC Governor of Western Australia
To celebrate International Day of Sign Languages these videos will be posted on social media
using the hashtags: #AuslanCommunityLeadersChallenge2020 #Auslan
#InternationalDayofSignLanguages #IWODP #IDSL2020 #IWDeaf2020.
The Auslan Community Leaders Challenge is a collaboration between Deaf Services and the Deaf
Society, alongside Ms Julie Owens MP, Member for Parramatta. Deaf Services and the Deaf
Society would like to thank Access Plus WA Deaf in Western Australia and Deaf Can:Do in South
Australia, who worked alongside their Vice Regals and Patrons this year.
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