You’re helping people like Kate gain independence and achieve personal goals
Kate is deafblind and epileptic. She has lost her hearing and sight to serious allergic reactions.
In 2019, Kate took a major step towards independence, living 5 days a week at Enoggera House, Deaf Services’ supported living facility.
“I love living here,” Kate says. “I love having my own room and my garden.”
Kate works with Lifestyle Support Services to explore and cultivate her wide range of personal and community interests, like yoga, craft, bowling, movies, and swimming.
Deaf Services’ Lifestyle Support Services (LSS) program delivers support to Deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Australians, empowering them to participate in the community and build the skills to live independently.
Kate is working towards living at Enoggera House for 12 days per fortnight, becoming more independent through the use of assistive technology, booking, and managing her own medical appointments.
Your support through The Deaf Lottery allows Deaf Services to continue their vital work in the community and change the lives of people like Kate.
Did you know that 1 in 6 Australians live with some form of hearing loss?
We are the largest provider of support services to the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Australia, committed to empowering Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and families, ensuring they are connected and assisting them to achieve their goals.
Deaf Services and the Deaf Society are focused on our commitment to community, leadership, innovation and culture. Supported by the Deaf Lottery, we aim to:
- Work with individuals and the community to understand and meet their needs.
- Drive improvements and new opportunities aligned with our Mission and enhancing our sustainability.
- Develop our influence and position to enhance the capacity of the Deaf community.
- Enable organisational capability, capacity and readiness.
Your impact
Deaf Services and the Deaf Society is proud to be Australia’s only largest whole-of-life service provider for the Deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind communities.
An example of one of our vital services is offering exceptional learning and training in Auslan interpreting and education, addressing the ever-growing demand for professionals fluent in the primary language of Deaf Australians.
Our Auslan language education programs enable the wider community to be able to communicate with the Deaf community.
With your support, we can continue to train the next generation of Auslan interpreters and educators and in turn create a better and more inclusive community.
Thanks to your help, last year Deaf Services and the Deaf Society were able to provide increased services to the Deaf and hard of hearing community, including:
- Responded to over 8,500 general information enquiries
- Provided over 31,000 hours of support through Lifestyle Support Services
- Hosted 156 group activities
- 680 students completed accredited training in Auslan
- Completed 121 translations projects and 444 translations videos
- Gained 77 new Ageing Well clients
- Delivered early intervention services to 343 Hear for Kids participants