About ECU

Wednesday, 21 September 2022

National Week of Deaf People is an annual celebration of the Australian Deaf community. It is held in September each year, coinciding with the celebration of International Week of Deaf People and International Day of Sign Languages. National Week of Deaf people is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in our communities and acknowledge the thriving Deaf culture, language, and history.

It is also a time to reflect on the progress still needed for equal participation and inclusion of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people across Australia. ECU supports the inclusion and celebration of Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, including those who are part of the ECU community, and is committed to furthering our work to address systemic injustice and barriers to access and inclusion.

Being an ally to the Deaf community involves addressing the ways in which hearing is socially constructed as superior communication, to the dismissal of other modes of language, including Auslan. Audism, the thought process that results in negative stigma towards those who do not hear, has a profound effect on Deaf education, language rights and economic autonomy of Deaf individuals.

Everyone has a part to play in creating safe and inclusive environments for Deaf people. Here are some ways that you can show allyship to Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

1. Reflect on your language use
Language is a key tool to challenge perceptions and assumptions of minority groups within the social environment. Intentional inclusive language use when talking about Deafness is important in developing a rights-based approach to understanding disability. For more information on inclusive language when talking about the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, please refer to ECU’s Inclusive Language Guide.

2. Deaf-affirming practice
Deafness is a normal part of the diversity of the human experience, not something that should be cured or fixed. Affirming practice focuses on embracing Deaf identity and supporting problem-solving based on the outcomes that each individual needs. The emphasis is on understanding and validating the different ways that we think, feel, communicate, and develop.

3. Being pro-active with access requirements
Accommodations are reasonable adjustments that can be made to meet the access requirements of students, staff, and community members with disability. Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing can access support though the Equity, Diversity and Disability Service for the provision of accommodations that can aid in equal access and opportunities at university. It is not the sole responsibility of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to advocate for access requirements, accessibility advocacy is everyone’s responsibility. Organising Auslan interpreters for events when possible, providing captioning and distributing lecture notes in advance are three ways to create more Deaf inclusive learning environments. Advocating for accessibility measures in places you go, services you use and events you attend is another way to show allyship to Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

4. Appreciating Deaf culture and language
Deaf Culture is the heart of the Deaf community. Language and culture are inseparable and passed down through generations of Deaf people. The Deaf community in Australia is comprised of culturally Deaf people in the core of the community who use sign languages (such as Auslan) and appreciate their heritage, history, literature, and culture. The history of the Deaf community is long, and it comes with many periods of misunderstanding, oppression, and discrimination, but also with great resilience and strength. Try to learn more about Deaf history, culture, music, movies, and language. Ensure that you are supporting businesses, teachers and services led by those with lived experience.

For more information about National Week of Deaf People, International Week of Deaf People and International Day of Sign Languages, you can access the following web pages:

• International Week of Deaf People and  International Day of Sign Languages 2022 - World Federation of the Deaf
• International Day of Sign Languages 23 September - United Nations
• National Week of Deaf People - Deaf Australia

For  information about ECU support and initiatives, you can visit the following pages on ECU's website:

• Student Equity, Diversity and Disability Services
• Commitment to Equality and Diversity - Disability Access and Inclusion