17August2016

Shame, Aunty
First there were cuts this year to TV program captioning. Now
ABC management has dramatically wound back transcriptions of
news and current affairs programs. Hardest hit will be radio
current affairs which will have to choose only one from each
program.

Communications
shopfronts

access

in

government

Service NSW will hold a trial in Sydney to get feedback from as

many deaf, hard of hearing or hearing impaired Sydney residents
as possible.

Poor educational experiences of students

with disability
A report highlights inadequate support provision in schools and
concerning rates of bullying, exclusion, restraint and seclusion
experienced.

Australian Government Hearing Services

Program explained
Increases in the number of Australians with hearing loss, advances
in technology, and changing methods of service delivery will affect
the provision of hearing services into the future.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, community, sea, and waters where we live and work. We pay our respects to
elderspast,presentandfutureandvaluethecontributionsIndigenousAustraliansmakeinoursociety.Weacknowledgethechallengefor
IndigenousleadersandfamiliestoovercometheunacceptablyhighlevelsofearhealthissuesamongfirstAustralians.

ABC source dries up as transcripts of news and

current affairs shows curtailed
By Amanda Meade, The Weekly Beast

The Insiders program on Sundays, hosted by Barrie Cassidy, will no longer be transcribed except
for the political interview which will be posted on Mondays. Photograph: ABC

Some broadcasters at the ABC are not happy with a decision by management to
dramatically wind back transcriptions of news and current affairs programs. The transcripts
of AM, The World Today, PM, 7.30 and Lateline are a major journalistic source at Aunty and
beyond, and are also widely used by politicians, researchers and the public.
But a note from the head of current affairs, Bruce Belsham, seen by Weekly Beast, says
only one key interview from each radio program will be transcribed. From Monday 8th
August there is a change to our transcription set-up and from then only the key interviews
from our programs will be transcribed, the note said.
Sundays Insiders program will no longer be transcribed except for the political interview
which will be posted the following day, Monday. Hardest hit will be radio current affairs
which will have to choose only one from each program. Lateline and 7.30 will still be
transcribed but not until the following day.
As audience needs have changed with the shift to mobile consumption, and towards key
ABC digital properties such as abc.net.au/news and apps, the need for this focus on
transcripts has reduced, and the need for digital staff to create bespoke versions of stories
and program items in text, video and audio formats is increasing, the note said.
Belsham appears to be anticipating some dramas already: Even if you think your story is
sensational and should be transcribed DONT hassle the transcriber. Make your point to
your EP [executive producer] who will decide what gets done and what doesnt.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/aug/05/abc-source-dries-up-as-transcripts-of-news-andcurrent-affairs-shows-curtailed

Better communication access at Service NSW

The chair of Deafness Forum of Australia David Brady has led a campaign in 2016 to
introduce better communication access at Service NSW for all residents.
Service NSW delivers one-stop services for government customers. It is being rolled out
across the state, providing more than 800 transactions including driver licences, birth
certificates, Seniors Cards and Fair Trading licences through one digital service, one phone
number and a network of one-stop shops.
David Brady writes, After
listening to many of Deafness
Forums members, and personally
experiencing
communication
challenges
in
government
shopfronts, it was clear that we
needed to encourage the NSW
government to make better use
of the latest technologies and the
internet.
The great news is that Service NSW will hold a trial at its Haymarket service centre,
Sydney to get feedback from as many deaf, hard of hearing or hearing impaired Sydney
residents as possible. We now have the chance to contribute to making a better service for
the one in six residents in NSW who have a hearing loss.
It is vital that our community shows there is a need for the services. I urge you, your
friends, families and colleagues to find time in your busy lives to make a booking and trial it
for yourselves.
I will be participating, so I hope to see you there, David said.
The trial will run until 27 August at Haymarket Service NSW.
The 3

solutions being trialled are:

Counter hearing loop
Auslan video relay by appointment only
Remote Live captioning also by appointment only

To
make
a
booking,
contact
kyathi.bhandary@service.nsw.gov.au

Kyathi

Bhandary

at Service

NSW

on

Hearing Awareness Week at Australian Hearing Hub

Screening tests
At Macquarie University Open Day
20 August
10.00 am 3.00 pm
Located at outside 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Avenue (E7B)
Being able to communicate with others is a fundamental human pursuit. Come and explore
the world of hearing by participating in a hearing screening and learning about new
technology. You'll also learn about Hearing Awareness Week and hearing loss prevention,
and have the opportunity to find out about the Australian Hearing Hub which is located on
campus.
You are welcome to join Professor David McAlpine and David Brady outside 14 Sir
Christopher Ondaatje Avenue (E7B), to ask any further questions you may have about
hearing health from 12pm.
http://openday.mq.edu.au/plan-your-day/#hearing-awareness-screening-tests

Seminar: Evidence in hearing and ENT; trials and beyond

Tuesday 23 August, 2.30pm 4.00pm
Australian Hearing Hub, level 1 lecture theatre
Free admission
Professor Anne Schilder is an ENT surgeon and a
trialist. She leads evident, a multidisciplinary
clinical research team that bridges the University
College London Ear Institutes discovery science
and the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear
Hospitals clinical excellence. Her work spans the
translational research pathway.
Based on Annes work in otitis media and hearing she will discuss how randomized
controlled trials have answered important clinical questions in ENT and have generated
evidence upon which clinical guidelines and health policies are based.
http://hearinghub.edu.au/events/ahh-seminar-evidence-in-hearing-and-ent-trials-and-beyond/

http://breakthesoundbarrier.org.au/

City of Sydneys new on-line accessibility map

Understanding where potential barriers such as stairs or steep hills are, or access features
such as the nearest accessible toilet or taxi rank, provides people with disability greater
confidence to visit the city. It helps people with disability participate in numerous activities
with more independence and dignity.

A new online accessibility map, provides information about key access features such as
mobility parking spaces and accessible public toilets, potential barriers such as stairs and
steep and moderate inclines.
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/getting-around/accessibility/accessibility-map

!
O
XP

!E

Its on again !!!

DRC Hearing Awareness Week Expo

Wednesday, 24 August 2016
Hellenic Club, Woden
The Proceedings:

Our Generous Sponsors

OFFICIAL OPENING
&
WELCOME to COUNTRY

We salute our EXPO Sponsors they make this Day possible

at 10:30am

Blamey Saunders hears

by

Canberra Audiology

Dr Chris Bourke, MLA

Cochlear Limited

Disability ACT

Minister for Disability

Dr William Vass

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

The Shepherd Centre

Pete Halsey, CEO

ACT Deafness Resource Centre Inc.

Phonak

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS 2016

Come & talk to the Hearing

Industry and our Affiliates as well as
other Community
Organisations:

Dr Chris Bourke MLA

SO Peter Coble - ACT Fire & Rescue
Kristen Sutcliffe - Canberra Symphony Orchestra
With Sally Greenaway - Pianist
Dr William (Bill) Vass - The Hearing Clinic

Dont forget Free hearing screening tests by

Australian Hearing - book your appointment
on 6232

All EXPO enquiries to Pete Halsey - CEO

Grant Cameron Community Centre
Level 1B, 27 Mulley Street, Holder ACT
Phone: 02 6287 4393 TTY: 02 6287 4394
Email: drcenq@actdrc.org.au
Web: www.actdrc.org.au
ACT Deafness Resource Centre

3200

Hearing Awareness Week is a national initiative of the Deafness Forum of Australia.

For more information on national events, visit www.deafnessforum.org.au

Many farmers may have hearing problems

In National Hearing Awareness Week, August 21-27, and as Australia welcomes the worlds
first internet connected hearing aid, Australian Hearing has revealed that at least 50 per
cent of Australias farmers are likely to suffer from premature hearing loss through
occupational noise exposure from agricultural industry.
Almost all farmers over 55-years of age who have been exposed to loud noise will suffer
some degree of hearing loss.
Occupational noise exposure from agricultural machinery, tools and pigs in sheds at feeding
time are all culprits, but only 18 per cent of farmers wear hearing protection while working
with heavy machinery.
From The Inverell Times newspaper

Manage your hearing loss: Phone Apps

Join Shhh Australia to hear an experienced spokeswoman talk about the ways in which you
can manage your hearing impairment. There will also be a session on the phone
applications that can help with hearing loss and tinnitus. Please bring your own device.
Hornsby Shire Library, NSW
Wednesday 24 August, 6-30pm
To reserve a place please book with either Hornsby Shire Library or
via shhh@netspace.net.au
This is a free event, we hope to see you there!
shhh@netspace.net.au

Abuse,
bullying
and
poor
educational
experiences of students with disability
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) is the national peak body which
represents children and young people (aged 0-25) with disability.
Many of the issues CYDA and other organisations like
Deafness Forum of Australia advocate so strongly
for, including the NDIS and employment will be
greatly diminished unless we can ensure education
reform happens for our kids.
The results of CYDAs national survey on the education experiences of students with
disability have been released. The survey of 1396 students and families covered a range of
issues to provide a snapshot of current experiences nationwide. It highlights shameful
education experiences of students with disability. The majority of participants reported
inadequate support provision in schools and there were very concerning rates of bullying,
exclusion, restraint and seclusion experienced.
Some of the key survey findings include:
67% of respondents said students with disability do not receive adequate support at
school;
Over half (52%) of students with disability have been bullied. This is significantly higher
than the 27% of the total student population who report bullying;
34% of students with disability have been excluded from a range of curricular and
extracurricular activities at school such as camps, discos and formals;
Nearly one in five (19%) students with disability have experienced restraint at school,
including physical, mechanical, chemical and psychosocial restraints;
19% of students with disability have experienced seclusion at school;
12% of students with disability attend school part time; and
8% of students with disability have been refused enrolment.
CYDA has also released data obtained through a freedom of information request about
allegations and responses to abuse in NSW schools, available at https://goo.gl/acIFhG This
includes highly concerning allegations of physical and sexual assaults experienced by
students with disability. CYDA requested similar information from all state and territory
education departments but was informed by all aside from NSW and the ACT that they do
not centrally collate this information or that providing the information would involve
unreasonable diversion of resources.
http://www.cda.org.au/

..

MOSS VALE QUOTA

HEARING AWARENESS EXPO

FRIDAY 19TH AUGUST 2016 - 10am-3pm
CWA Rooms - Wingecarribee Street , BOWRAL
(next to Centrelink)

Help for 1 in 6 Australians!!

Hearing is Precious AND Fragile- stay connected
You say:

pardon, what was that?

sorry, I didnt hear you
turn up the television, please

They say: you are not hearing me

do something about your hearing
we have to shout so you can hear
you didnt hear the doorbell
what would happen if there was a fire?

Your questions answered HERE in the Highlands

EXHIBITORS:
Access Com CapTel Captioned telephone, special Expo offer!!
ACT Deafness Resource Centre: assistive devices offering new technology
Four local Hearing Service Providers: where to start for a FREE screening!!
SCIC Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre: the difference is speech recognition

DEMONSTRATIONS:
CapTel phone: Smoke alarms - $20: Hearing aids: Cochlear Implants for all ages
Entry: gold coin donation
Enquiries: Pat Fulton Mobile: 0409 907 543 E: pathearingcoach1@gmail.com

R
A
E
W
N
A
E
S
G
S
N
I
W
R
A
EEK
E
H
Understanding Inclusion Support

Hearing Awareness Week 2016 activities are for people affected with hearing
impairment and/or loss, their family, friends and anyone interested in learning more
about hearing impairment and hearing health.

SUNDAY 21 AUGUST - SATURDAY 27 AUGUST

WA Foundation for Deaf Children

Sunday 21st August 10.30am-12.30pm

Youth Forum at Perth Art Gallery
For information call (08) 9385 3557

Telethon Speech & Hearing

Sunday 21st August 3.00pm

Power of Speech Awards
For information call (08) 9387 9888

School of Special Education Needs

Sensory
Monday 22nd August 10.00am
Hearing Awareness Week Launch
For information call (08) 9402 6100

Australian Hearing

Ear Science Institute Australia

Various events throughout the week

For information go to www.earscience.org.au

Earbus Foundation of WA

Wednesday 24th August

Youth Centre on Lawson St (Sth Hedland)
For information call (08) 9388 7485

WA Deaf Society

Thursday 25th August 1.30pm - 4.30pm

Deafness Awareness Training
For information call (08) 9441 2677 or
visit www.wadeaf.org.au

HEARING BUS DAY

Free Hearing Checks
Friday 26th August

Telethon Speech & Hearing - Wembley,

Karratha, Roebourne & Cockburn
(call (08) 9387 9888 for more detail)
Lions Hearing Foundation - Various
Locations (visit www.earscience.org.au)
Australian Hearing Bunbury
(call (08) 9226 7100 for more detail)

HEARING AWARENESS EXPO

Tuesday 23rd August

12pm-1pm & 5.30pm-6.30pm
Young Adults Information & Technology
Workshop
For information call (08) 9226 7100

Saturday 27th August 10am - 3pm

at Bendat Community Centre,
36 Dodd Street Wembley
For information call (08) 9387 9856

www.deafnesscouncilwa.org.au

New Zealand democracy takes a huge leap

forward
Media Release
The New Zealand Captioning Working Group (CWG) welcomes and is delighted with the
announcement from The Clerk of the House of Representatives that live closed captioning
of the New Zealand Parliament commenced on Tuesday 9 August.
CWG Chairperson, Louise Sinden-Carroll says in a statement, New Zealand democracy has
just taken a huge leap forward. Captions are a necessity for many Deaf and Hard of
Hearing New Zealanders and a valuable service for many others. Research released at the
end of July by NZ On Air shows 1 in 6 New Zealanders use captioning. In particular we
applaud the leadership taken by the team at Parliament to ensure that the closed captions
will be available across all platforms: on broadcast television, the parliament website and in
the Virtual House app for Apple iOS and Android mobile devices. Parliament TV will be the
first service in New Zealand to offer this.
The Captioning Working Group recently presented a petition to Parliament with more than
2,300 signatures asking That the House of Representatives legislate to ensure accessibility
via closed captioning for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and other New Zealanders who need it, to
access all broadcast, online and video mediums. The addition of live captions to Parliament
TV across multiple devices shows what can be achieved and is a very welcome addition to
the New Zealand broadcasting landscape, Louise Carroll says.
Without captions watching the news, a current affairs programme, the latest drama, movie
or reality TV programme, becomes an exhausting and confusing lip reading challenge.
Without captions, many Deaf and Hard of Hearing people simply turn off. Some, with the
knowledge of how to do it, are know to use technology to illegally source accessible
content from overseas. Others feel isolated and left out.
The New Zealand Captioning Working Group (CWG) is a collaboration of Deaf Aotearoa,
The National Foundation for the Deaf and the Hearing Association who have been working
together for 4 years to improve media accessibility across the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
communities.
Captions are similar to subtitles that are seen on a foreign language programme, but the
text is shown in the same language as the spoken audio. They also include descriptive text
for sound effects like door slamming, gunshots fire, song lyrics or may simply say
silence when there is no sound. Closed Captions (CC) are turned on using a button on a
TV remote control or by choosing an option on a phone, tablet or computer.

Employment Opportunity
Lifestyle Support Worker - Brisbane Region
Casual
Deaf Services Queensland is a state wide community based organisation that has provided
services to the Qld Deaf Community since 1903.
Lifestyle Support Services assists Deaf people with other disabilities to live in the community
as independently as possible.
This service is based in Brisbane and covers the greater Brisbane area.
Currently we are looking for a support worker to work with and provide support to Deaf Adults
with other disabilities who are residing within the general community.
This is a Casual position and hours will vary week to week.
Interested applicants can view the position description and application process by visiting our
website www.deafservicesqld.org.au
For further information please call Nessa Swann on:
Voice: 07 3892 8592, TTY: 07 3892 8501, Email: ea@deafsq.org.au
Applications close 5pm, Friday 26th August 2016.
Deaf Services Queensland is an equal opportunity employer.

Hearing Services Program

The Department of Health administers the Australian Government Hearing Services
Program, which aims to reduce the incidence and consequences of avoidable hearing loss
in Australia, and provide access to high quality hearing services and devices for eligible
people.
Increases in the number of Australians with hearing loss, advances in technology, and
changing methods of service delivery will affect the provision of hearing services into the
future. The Government remains committed to supporting vulnerable Australians who are
affected by hearing loss.
The program consists of two components:
1) The Voucher Program, which provides fully and partially subsidised hearing services,
including hearing devices if necessary, to eligible clients. Clients are predominantly
pensioners, and services are provided from a national network of approximately 280 service
providers, and across 3,000 sites.
2) Community Service Obligations (CSO), which provide specialised hearing services to
children and young adults under 26 years of age, adults with complex needs and some
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This component of the program is
currently delivered solely by Australian Hearing (the Government provider).
The Department also supports research into hearing health and hearing loss prevention.
Current research funding is provided to over 30 projects, primarily through the National
Health and Medical Research Council and the National Acoustic Laboratories.
How can I access the program?
The Department implemented an online portal for the voucher component of the program
in 2014. The portal provides access to the program by providing real-time eligibility
checking and application processing for clients, reducing the waiting time and the number
of paper forms needed to access hearing services. The portal can be found on the Hearing
Services Program website at http://www.hearingservices.gov.au.
Clients can use the portal to:
Confirm their eligibility for the program;
Submit an application for a hearing services voucher;
View the local hearing services provider directory in a searchable map;
Check if they are already in the program; and
Confirm their last known service provider, if they have one.
Service providers can use the portal to:

Help clients to apply for a hearing services voucher;

Process a return voucher with client consent;
View and manage client details;
Submit a request to transfer a client from another service provider with client consent;
Manage their own site location details, which also updates the interactive local hearing
services provider directory; and
Submit manual claims.

Device manufacturers and suppliers can use the portal to:

Add or remove a hearing device to the approved device schedule; and
Migrate a hearing device from the partially subsidised to the fully subsidised list.
Other activities
The Department also investigates and resolves complaints relating to the program,
undertakes audit and compliance activities, and provides hearing related policy advice to
Government.
The Hearing Services website (www.hearingservices.gov.au) provides fast and easy access
to program information and important notices. The website also contains information on
the progressive roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

What else does the Department do?

Hearing Awareness Week 2016
The Department is proud to sponsor Hearing Awareness Week again in 2016. In the ACT,
the Department will host a stand at the Deafness Resource Centres Hearing Expo at the
Hellenic Club, Woden, ACT on Wednesday 24 August 2016, during Hearing Awareness
Week. Visitors will be able to access information on the program and on Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander ear health.
The Department also supports a range of activities to improve ear health for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander children and youth. These activities improve access to clinical
services, streamline care pathways, train health professionals, supply equipment and
diagnostic tools, and provide health promotional activities. These resources include aids for
health professionals and teachers such as the Otitis Media Resource Kit. Further
information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ear health can be found at
http://www.careforkidsears.health.gov.au.
NDIS and the Program
The NDIS provides individually tailored funding and support for people with disabilities. For
clients with hearing needs, this approach means that each individual has more control in
choosing the services that support their goals and funding is provided so that they can

access services and devices that are determined as reasonable and necessary for individual
circumstances.
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will determine the range of supports
which can be accessed by participants with hearing loss and the eligibility criteria for
services. Currently participants in the NDIS who have hearing services in their funded plan
are referred to the program to receive these services. This arrangement will cease from
mid-2019, and those clients eligible for the NDIS will fully transition to the scheme. More
information on determining NDIS access eligibility can be found on the NDIS website:
www.ndis.gov.au
To support a smooth transition to the NDIS, the Department has developed a Hearing
Services NDIS Transition Plan. The transition process is based on a partnership approach
with the Department, the Department of Social Services, and the NDIA. More information
on the Hearing Services NDIS Transition Plan can be found at the Hearing Services website
link provided above.
Want to know more?
Further information about the
http://www.hearingservices.gov.au.

program

can

be

found

on

our

website:

An information sheet on the linkages and interface for the transition to the NDIS is
available at
http://hearingservices.gov.au/wps/portal/hso/site/about/national%20disability%20insurance%20scheme/!ut/p/a1/rZFNb4MwDIb_CjtwjGI
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WakFiCQ2RU5K6MKCGaWGpSRGSiL8Ei7cdMFEC9jXhokVkdIwP5lk5T4uLMMP1_4a3KV32HrEN72VjV_uPGoaeIC7gdu_3qDeyD_O59hVdo4W
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