One in Six 12 May 2016

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12 

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.

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

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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 NationalPriority in Australia.

Program 

We’ll 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 Orationcommittee 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. 

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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 andthrough 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 DeafSociety 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 65’s,

who will not theoretically be eligible for the NDIS funding as it rolls out.

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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 acampaign 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 Australia’s 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. It’s 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 Australia’s 10th

national health priority. This will take time.

We’ve also put together a six point election plan that campaign supporters will be asking all

parties to support ahead of the election to show they’re listening. It’s called Be Heard this

election. We’ve already started to be heard in the media and this is only the beginning.

It’s been an amazing journey to get the campaign to this point, and we couldn’t have doneit 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 campaign’s 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 don’t  

to help make us a voice politicians on all sides can’t 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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