5October2016

Queensland woman has lost a High Court

battle to become the first deaf juror in
Australia
"While I fully understand the strong views that people like Ms
Lyons have on this matter, the confidentiality of jury
deliberations and right of an accused person to a fair trial are
among the most fundamental tenets of our justice system."
Queensland Government.
This decision may not only impact Queensland, but
throughout Australia, bringing into question whether deaf
people are treated as equal citizens in Australia. Deaf
Australia.

Self-fitting hearing aids

In the future, low-cost hearing aids are likely to consist of
earpieces that connect wirelessly with smartphones, with
health providers offering assistance through traditional faceto-face appointments or through a tele-health infrastructure.

Affordable Access project

An online resource where people with hearing, sight, mobility
or cognitive disabilities and impairments can find information
and make educated choices on low-cost software and devices
that support their everyday needs.

Weacknowledgethetraditionalcustodiansoftheland,community,sea,andwaterswhereweliveandwork. Wepayour
respects to elders past, present and future and value the contributions Indigenous Australians make in our society. We
acknowledgethechallengeforIndigenousleadersandfamiliestoovercometheunacceptablyhighlevelsofearhealthissues
amongfirstAustralians.

Deaf Queensland woman Gaye Lyons loses High

Court bid to become juror
A Queensland woman has lost a High Court battle to become the first deaf juror in Australia.
Gaye Lyons, who can lip read but requires an Auslan interpreter to communicate, launched the
unprecedented case after being excluded from an Ipswich court, west of Brisbane, in 2012.
The 60-year-old alleged she had been discriminated against
by the Queensland Government by the refusal to provide her
with an interpreter so she could perform her civic duty as a
juror.
The Queensland Government had argued the law did not
allow an interpreter to be in the jury room.
Lawyers for the Government also raised concerns about the
difficulty of making sure the translations were accurate.
In a unanimous ruling, the High Court found Queensland law did not permit an Auslan interpreter
to assist while the jury was together, so Ms Lyons would not be capable of performing the
functions of a juror.
"The decision not to include the appellant in a jury panel did not constitute unlawful
discrimination in the performance of her functions or the exercise of her powers under
Queensland law," the ruling said.
Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said today's ruling reaffirmed the arguments mounted by the
Queensland Government in relation to "this complex and sensitive issue".
"While I fully understand the strong views that people like Ms Lyons have on this matter, the
confidentiality of jury deliberations and right of an accused person to a fair trial are among the
most fundamental tenets of our justice system," she said.
This is an extremely poor outcome deaf people have long sought equality in Australia, said
Todd Wright, Chairperson of Deaf Australia. This decision may not only impact Queensland, but
throughout Australia, bringing into question whether deaf people are treated as equal citizens in
Australia.
ABC Online http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-05/deaf-woman-gaye-lyons-loses-high-courtchallenge-juror/7904324
Media release: High Court Sanctions Discrimination.
Deaf Australia 5 October 2016.

Everyday Hero Jessicas Menieres journey

My Menieres disease journey started in 2012, I first noticed the hearing loss and tinnitus in my
left ear so I went to my GP who conducted a simple hearing test and referred me onto the
audiologist.
After many months of going through the various hearing tests and ear moulds for a hearing aid, I
received my first hearing aid at 21, which was a lot to deal with at the time.
I suffered from my first vertigo attack whilst at work in 2012, it was
all very confronting as I had no idea what was happening or how to
explain how I felt to anyone. This resulted in being hospitalised,
where they simply told me that it was just a vertigo attack and sent
me home. It was not long after this that I went back to my GP who
referred me onto the Ear Nose and Throat specialist.
After my first consultation with the Ear Nose and Throat specialist I
went for the balance testing, this was over a 2-week period and
there are many thoughts that go through your mind during this
time.
In April 2014 I was finally diagnosed with Menieres disease. It was such a relief in a way to
finally get a diagnosis after such a long time, although unfortunately my employer at the time was
not as understanding as I first thought and I lost my job in July 2014. I am still yet to find
employment after this, but I am staying positive and hopeful that the right job is out there waiting
for me.
Menieres disease has had an impact on my social life, friendships and job prospects, but I wont
let it rule my life so I have come up with ways to get around these issues.
I have also pushed myself past the fear of having a vertigo attack in a public place, which
sometimes used to stop me from going places. I have found that talking about it to people has
really helped me and it has also raised awareness.
Read more of Jessicas story at Whirled Foundation http://www.whirledfoundation.org/jessicasmenieres-journey/

Break the Sound Barrier is uniting our entire sector for a common cause - to make hearing a
national priority.
Hearing is not one of Australias national health priorities. It means there we do not have the
adequate investment in services and research we need. It also means there is not a focus on
community education. Its a barrier that is preventing too many Australians from reaching their
potential.

Tenille, Hamish and Angus want to break the sound barrier.

The campaign tells our stories and shares our experiences to get hearing on the national agenda.
The long term goal is for state and the federal governments agreeing to make hearing Australias
10th national health priority.
Be part of the movement. Sign up at www.breakthesoundbarrier.org.au

Medicare dataset pulled after

breach of doctor details possible

academics

find

By ABC political reporter Stephanie Anderson

The Health Department has removed Medicare data from its website amid an investigation into
whether personal information has been compromised.
Australian Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim has launched an investigation after academics
found it was possible to figure out some service provider ID numbers in the Medicare Benefits
Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule datasets, published on August 1.
The University of Melbourne academics said they notified the department of the issue on
September 12, adding that the data was then "immediately removed".
In a joint report, Drs Chris Culnane, Benjamin Rubinstein and Vanessa Teague described the
incident as "serious". "If we can reverse-engineer the details in a few days, then there is a risk
that others could do so too," they stated.
They said the dataset was created by selecting a random 10 per cent of Medicare patients, whose
claims from 1984 to 2014 were included. While the medical treatments were not encrypted or
put into a special code to prevent unauthorised access to such information the ID numbers
describing who provided the service were.
In a statement, the Department of Health said the dataset published on data.gov.au did not
include names or addresses of service providers and no patient information was identified.
"However, as a result of the potential to extract some doctor and other service provider ID
numbers, the Department of Health immediately removed the dataset from the website to ensure
the security and integrity of the data is maintained," it stated.

"No patient information has been compromised, and no information about the health service
providers has been publicly identified or released."
Health Minister Sussan Ley has apologised, telling a gathering of doctors in Perth that "there will
always be risks" in publishing data. Ms Ley said there was no release of confidential information
in the public arena and no patient information had been compromised. "Its certainly something
we take seriously and we apologise for any concern this may cause you as providers," she said.
Ms Ley said the government had "acted swiftly in the public interest" by making changes to the
Privacy Act 1998.
In a statement, Senator Brandis said changes to the Act would made it illegal to re-identify
government data which had been "de-identified".
"It will also be an offence to counsel, procure, facilitate, or encourage anyone to do this, and to
publish or communicate any re-identified dataset," he said.
ABC News http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-29/medicare-pbs-dataset-pulled-over-encryptionconcerns/7888686

The Care for Kids' Ears resources have been designed and produced by the Australian
Government to increase awareness of ear disease and hearing loss in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities.
While Otitis Media (also known as 'ear disease' and 'middle ear infection') is a fairly common
disease in children generally, the prevalence, recurrence and degree of infection recorded in
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is significantly higher than in non-Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people. Left untreated, ear infections can lead to hearing loss which may
limit a childs capacity to develop socially and emotionally.
http://www.careforkidsears.health.gov.au/internet/cfke/publishing.nsf

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A new Affordable Access project aims to make low-cost accessible technology more widely
known.
Media Access Australia in conjunction with the Australian Communications Consumer Action
Network announced the launch of a new website and supporting downloadable resources
designed to make digital accessibility for those with a disability easier and more affordable.
Affordable Access is an online resource where people with hearing, sight, mobility or cognitive
disabilities and impairments can find information and make educated choices on low-cost software
and devices that support their everyday needs.
The content-rich website contains freely-downloadable resources on options priced up to $250,
specifically created for different audience groups including: students, carers and parents, seniors,
and those in the workforce. The options presented include commonly-used everyday products
plus additional options for those who are more tech savvy. To help people find what they are
after quickly, the site is divided into four categories: Whats accessible, Whats available, Whats
suitable, and Whats possible.
http://affordableaccess.com.au/

Symphony of Stories
CICADA Queensland released its second book of personal stories of Cochlear implant recipients in
their own words.
This book is a resource for those seeking information on cochlear implants with stories from the
people that have them. It will aid in making informed decisions.
Purchase a copy at $10.00 per copy plus $3.00 postage.
Contact CICADA Queensland at secretary@cicadaqld.com.au

National Auslan Conference 2016

Conference Program
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Deaf Australia Annual General Meeting
5:00pm - 12:00am
Conference Opening Welcome Function
Australias BIGGEST Deaf Club

9:00am - 9:30am
Opening Ceremony
Opening Address - Alastair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner

(Auslan)

9:30am - 10:30am
Keynote Presentation -The Designated Interpreter - A Model For a New Era?
Dr Jules Dickinson (English)
Stream A: Empowering the Deaf Community

Stream B: Innovation in Interpreting

11:00am - 11:45am | Presentation One

11:00am - 11:45am | Presentation One
Do We Need to do Something for Deaf
Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail: Strategies for
Communitys Futures Sake?
Improving Interpreter Training in Preparation for
Darlene Thornton (Auslan)
Work in the Deafblind Community
Ben McAtamney (English)
11:45am - 12:30pm | Presentation Two
11:45am - 12:30pm | Presentation Two
Deaf Survivors of Domestic Violence in Australia
Investigating the Teamwork Practices of Sign
Our Story, Our Voice, Our Hands
Language Interpreters
Debra Swann and Kate Frost (Auslan)
Kirri Dangerfield (Auslan)
1:30pm - 2:15pm | Presentation Three
1:30pm - 2:15pm | Presentation Three
Deafhood - Visible and Invisible Colonialism
Investigating the Challenges and Reluctancies of
Ramas McRae (Auslan)
Working in Legal Settings
Della Goswell (Auslan)
2:15pm - 3:00pm | Presentation Four
Can Deaf People Serve as Jurors? A Study
2:15pm - 3:00pm | Presentation Four
of Sign Language Interpreter Mediated Jury
Past is Not Prologue: The Future of Deaf Video
Deliberations
Communication
Prof. David Spencer & Gerry Shearim (English)
Shane Feldman (ASL)

3:30pm - 4:30pm | Panel A

NDIS and the Deaf Community
4:30pm - 4:45pm
Day One Wrap Up
5:00pm - 6:00pm
ASLIA Members Update
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Conference Gala Dinner

Facilitator: Michael Parremore

National Auslan Conference 2016

9:30am - 10:30am
Keynote Presentation - A New Era for the Deaf & Interpreter Partnership: Embracing Values & Igniting
Shane Feldman (ASL)
Change
Stream C: Evolution of Services

Stream D: Auslan in the New Era

11:00am - 11:45am | Presentation One

11:00am - 11:45am | Presentation One
New Standards For a New Era: Results of the
A New Era for Vicdeaf: Transitioning From
ACCAN-Eager Online Auslan Translation Project
a Community Organisation to a Community
& Launch of the Report and Guidelines
Business
Christine Mathieson (English) & Brent Phillips
Della Goswell, Dr Gabrielle Hodge, Stef Linder
(Auslan)
& Dr Lori Whynot (Auslan)
11:45am - 12:30pm | Presentation Two
11:45am - 12:30pm | Presentation Two
Evolution and Sustainability of the Deaf
National Auslan Communications for
Community
Emergencies
Debra Swann and Kate Frost (Auslan)
Julie Judd (Auslan)
1:30pm - 2:15pm | Presentation Three
1:30pm - 2:15pm | Presentation Three
A New Era for Deaf Interpreters
Auslan in the Australian Curriculum Design,
Adrienne White & Dr Angela Dillon (Auslan)
Implications and Opportunities
Suzanne Bradshaw (English) & Dr Breda Carty
(Auslan)
2:15pm
3:00pm
|
Presentation
Four
2:15pm - 3:00pm | Presentation Four
Auslan Teachers Training and Development
"Capturing The Bigger Picture" Interpreting in a
Darlene Thornton (Auslan)
Workplace Community of Practice
Dr Jules Dickinson (English)
3:30pm - 4:30pm | Panel B
Social Media and Interpreters: An Ethical Challenge

Facilitator: Paul Heuston

4:30pm - 5:00pm
Closing Ceremony

Evolving Discourse Conventions in Tactile

Auslan - the Language of Deafblind Australians
Meredith Bartlett & Dennis Witcombe

Initiatives in Adult Deaf Education at TAFE South

Australia A New Era
Adrienne White & Claire Morrison

The Use of Technology in a New Era

Igniting a Renewed Recognition of the

Disappearing Australian-Irish Sign Language
Bernadette Wallis

David Parker

Self-fitting hearing aids

A new range of self-fitting hearing aids has the potential to meet the growing need for hearing
technologies in developing countries and remote locations in the developed world.
The Hearing Cooperative Research Centre (HEARing CRC) and its Member, the National Acoustic
Laboratories (NAL), have recently studied the developments of this new technology to provide
new insights that will help clinicians make better decisions about the best ways to use them.
The results of this research were summarised in a research paper published last week by Dr Gitte
Keidser and Elizabeth Convery.
Self-fitting hearing aids have recently become available through unregulated, direct-to-consumer
market in developed countries and the focus of HEARing CRC and NAL research aimed at
understanding their manageability by clinicians and comparing their performance to professionally
fitted hearing aids.
Predominantly positive findings highlighted in the paper suggest that self-fitting hearing aids when
paired with teleaudiology (the provision of hearing services over the internet), could deliver these
services to people who cant access or afford the traditional methods.
Self-fitting devices are now accessible in the marketplace and the
product range is set to grow. Our research has identified the
expectations of these devices to ensure good hearing outcomes are
delivered to patients, and is currently investigating who can manage
them without, or with limited, support, Dr Keidser explained.
There are challenges ahead and we believe there will be a significant
and potentially rapid growth in self-fitting health related products
following on from wearable technologies (such as fitbits).
In the future, low-cost hearing aids are likely to consist of earpieces that connect wirelessly with
smartphones, with health providers offering assistance through traditional face-to-face
appointments with audiologists or through a tele-health infrastructure.
If self-fitting hearing aids can be produced and distributed in such a way they are both affordable
and the approach is sustainable, this type of device could offer the potential to meet the growing
demand for hearing technologies in developing countries, as well as the more remote locations in
the developed world, Dr Keidser said.
Dr Gitte Keidser is a Senior Research Scientist with the National Acoustic Laboratories in Sydney.
She manages projects related to hearing devices and rehabilitation.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Sunday 6th November 2016
SCIC, Old Gladesville Hospital,

Punt Road, Gladesville

11am - 3pm

followed by a talk and entertainment from the

BLACK JOAK MORRIS FOLK DANCERS

Black Joak Morris performs the traditional
folk dancing of the bucolic English Cotswolds.
Morris dancing is fresh and varied, with live
music provided by their talented and
knowledgeable musicians. The dancing
ranges from single-person jigs to nine-person
spectaculars. It is an ancient tradition associated
with fertility rites and celebration of the seasons.
It is also a living tradition, and they perform many
dances written recently and by Australian sides,
including themselves! The Joakers are a large
energetic side who couple athletic display with
bright costumes and loud bells.

11 am..AGM

11.30am Morris Dancing

12.30pm. BBQ Social

Sausage Sizzle, $2.50; Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks $1.00

Audio cues are for the birds

While analysing and untangling multiple environmental sounds is an important social tool for
humans, for animals that analysis is a critical survival skill. Yet humans and animals use similar
cues to make sense of their acoustic worlds, according to new research from the University at
Buffalo.
The study, published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, fills an important gap in
the literature on how animals group sounds into auditory objects.
When several sounds occur simultaneously in social settings, like music, a ticking clock and the
buzz of fluorescent lighting, humans have no difficulty identifying those as separate auditory
objects. This is auditory stream segregation.
"There have been many studies like this in humans, but there has been a lot less work done to
figure out how animals parse auditory objects," says Micheal Dent, an associate professor in UB's
Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.
"But animals can decipher the auditory world in a similar
way as humans," she says.
Dent's study used budgerigars and zebra finches, both vocal
learners, to investigate the utility of cues used in stream
segregation of the zebra finches' song.
People use cues like intensity (volume), frequency (pitch),
location and time to segregate sounds. This capacity can
facilitate conversation in a noisy room, but for animals,
segregating sounds in the environment can mean the
difference between distinguishing a suitable mate from a
potential predator.
Whether stream segregation happens in many species is
limited by a lack of understanding about how it's
accomplished. But this new study provides important
insights and suggests that stream segregation is not a
uniquely human ability.
"Finding something like this in an animal that is not evolutionary related to humans suggests that
steam segregation is something that happens across the animal kingdom," say Dent, who last
year was named a fellow of the Acoustic Society of America for her contributions to spatial hearing
in animals.

In the study, birds were trained to peck a specific key when they heard a whole zebra finch song
and another key when the heard a song with a deleted syllable, a broken song. This identification
task demonstrated the birds' ability to differentiate between a natural whole song and an
unnatural broken song. The researchers then replaced the missing syllable with another sound,
altering its intensity, frequency, location and time. Using ecologically relevant stimuli for the study
is a novel departure from other research that used either pure tones or white noise. The intensity
of that missing syllable was significant. When played softly, the birds heard a broken song, but
increasing the intensity caused the birds to hear a whole song. Playing the syllables from different
locations, like hearing Do-Re-Mi from three different places, was also recognized as broken.
"The birds are using spatial cues and intensity cues to distinguish whole songs from broken
songs." she says.
To determine the relevance of pitch, researchers played the missing syllable with half of the
frequency content missing. Deleing the high end didn't matter, but deleting the bottom half
changed the percept to a broken song.
"This suggests they're following the lowest contour of the frequency when they're listening to
song," says Dent.
While intensity, location and frequency affect stream segregation, time appeared to be the least
important cue for the birds. Changing the amount of time between each syllable was not
important. Although these laboratory observations do not necessarily equate to the natural
environment, the research is an important foundation for future study of sound segregation in
animals, says Dent.
From Science Daily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/

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