5. WHY
Erina Branch Staff
Request for staff training in Auslan
Opened Discussions Between
Central Coast Council Units
Library
Community and Cultural Programs
Disability Inclusion officer
Leisure and Lifestyle
The Deaf Society
Funding
Available in the Disability
Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for
community training
6. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
In the past I have been a
little hamstrung about
what to do, say or sign
when interacting with
deaf people.
We can approach with
more confidence.
Senior attendee
I would like to be
able to communicate
with my best best
friend’s dad who is
deaf.
10 year old attendee
7. I’m a first year Uni student studying
secondary teaching.
I would like to be able to teach a diverse
range of students and I don’t want
disabilities or different abilities to get in
the way of that teaching.
Young adult attendee
8. Disability inclusion
Action Plan (DIAP)
DIAP Action Item AB.010:
To develop and implement a disability
awareness and education campaign
for the broader community to include
information from relevant external
organisations.
Pilot DIAP Program Purpose:
Gauge community response
Evaluate the program’s value to the
community
Engage the library unit to continue
funding and delivery of the program to
the community.
10. centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
Erina Library staff
Contacted Deaf Society
Deaf Tech Savvy Seniors
Funded by Deaf Society
Facilitated and supported by the library
Disability Inclusion Officer
Initial approval for one Auslan1 program
8x2hr sessions
Funded through DIAP
Deaf Society
Facilitated Training
Provided resources and trainer
Library
Coordinated program delivery
Room bookings
Trainer
Eventbrite
Advertising and promotion
WHAT
WE
DID
LAYCOCK ST THEATRE
Auslan interpreted
performances
Partnership with
CCC Disability Inclusion
Officer and CCC Leisure and
Lifestyle unit
Funded through DIAP
12. RESULT
Initial program
20 Places
Booked out almost
immediately
Approval
To fund another
identical program
through DIAP
Additional program
20 Places
Booked out almost
immediately again
14. FEEDBACK
FROM
ATTENDEES
Simone
Can I please enrol in the second sign
language course next term?
I have thoroughly enjoyed the first
course.
Sharon
I would firstly like to say thank you for giving me
the opportunity to participate in the Auslan
course.
There are several people in my course and the
previous one who are asking if the Auslan 2 will
be running? Is this something that Council is
looking into?
15. CHALLENGES
Reviewing
Various options available
Gaining approval from different
areas of Council
Identifying
The best way to deliver Auslan training
within the library service
How to ensure training adds value and
remains current
Logistics
Room availability
Coordinating facilitator with location and
time
Paperwork
CCC Contractors checklist
Area of Council responsible
Communication
Deaf Society contact with sign Language
Australia via email only
(provided insight into the challenges faced
by the deaf community)
Promotion of Auslan 2
Facilitator promoted non-library course to
attendees
Lead to confusion for attendees wishing to
book.
Budget
Approval
Availability
Processes
17. OUTCOMES
Opened up Library communication channels with the Deaf
Society – provided insights into the deaf community
experiences
Created connections between the Library and Council’s
Disability Inclusion Team
Supported Central Coast Council’s Disability Inclusion Action
Plan (DIAP)
Fulfilled pilot program role of gauging community interest
and program value – reflected in sale rate of tickets in both
sessions
Attendees received an introduction to basic sign language
skills and etiquette to communicate in the Deaf community’s
preferred language
Opportunities for more community programming, staff
training and accessible events.
19. WHERE
TO FROM
HERE
1. Budget Discussions
2. Identifying a model moving forward
• Auslan 2 workshops funded by CCC (waiting list)
• Provide more introductory workshops,
participants wishing to continue to Auslan 2
immediately would book through the Deaf Society
and pay the fee
• Training for staff and opportunities to practice
new skills
3. Investigate and implement ways to
build on this foundation
• Scheduling inclusive library events, such as movies
with subtitles, Auslan meet and greet program,
movie or bookclub, Auslan interpreted Storytime
• Hiring an Auslan interpreter for major events, in
consultation with the deaf community
Erina Library identified a number of customers who are hearing impaired or deaf and were interested in increasing accessibility for these customers when using the library, accessing resources and services and their enquiries. (Inadequate)
First Deaf Tech Savvy seniors – average 6 per session over a five week program – funded by Deaf Society.
By providing some basic training for staff, who are the first point of contact for customers, we can improve our communication while making enquiries and assistance a smother process for staff and customers.
Programs and Planning librarian and Erina Library staff met with Scott from The Deaf Society, enquiring about basic Auslan training library staff and the community could attend.
The Deaf society identified training available to staff and the community for a fee and can be run at one of our library branches.
This training would be a first step for the library service and following this we would be interested in finding ways to make our author events in particular more accessible for the deaf community, including translators for events, social groups in the library for the deaf community with the opportunity to upskill in certain areas (Fro example Deaf Tech Savvy Seniors)
Stories from the classroom
Stories from the classroom
Central Coast Disability Inclusion Action Plan, 2017-2021 (DIAP). Accessed from Central Coast Council website on 23 July 2019,
https://cdn.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/Disability_Inclusion_Action_Plan_2017-Residents.pdf
AB.010
Develop and implement an innovative, relevant and holistic annual disability awareness and education campaign for the broader Central Coast community, Campaign to include information from and partnerships with relevant external organisations
Deliver a minimum of 1 campaign annually
Year 1, ongoing
Community Partnerships
Community Engagement
External partners for example disability related agencies and government departments
$5,700 Operational resources
It also delivers on another CP owned DIAP action item which is AB.009 to educate local businesses to enhance inclusion and patronage of people with a disability to their business.
Each partner contributed something
Trainer in action
Huge response – we are still receiving enquiries for this training from the community
So much fun
Request for more
Huge learning experience
Insight into the requirements and consideration of deaf community led to change in behaviours eg movies, captions, tools available