In this episode of Our Deaf Ways: Deaftopia
- Attempts to include Deaf people in the mainstream education system may have led to greater isolation and language deprivation for Deaf students.
- A shortage of appropriate and proficient Auslan interpreters means that accessing interpreters with culturally diverse backgrounds can be difficult.
- Visual Venacular is an artistic form of storytelling using complex hand movements and expression
This final episode of 'Our Deaf Ways' features Jen Blyth who is the CEO of Deaf Australia and Karthik Vijayanandam, a teacher of the Deaf.
Karthik teaches in a mainstream school with a Deaf facility. He works with children who use both sign and spoken English to communicate.
Jen was born into a Deaf family, like only 3% of Deaf people globally, so had fluency in Auslan from an early age. Both agree that Deaf children often suffer language deprivation when they do not have access to other Deaf people and Auslan.
They talk across a range of topics from education for Deaf children, Auslan interpreters, to language appropriation and exploitation, and intersectional identities.
A lot of Deaf children don't have great experiences going through the school system. Partly that’s because for the 97% who come from hearing families who don't sign or have an understanding of Deaf people and Deaf culture, the child then doesn’t have natural and easy access to language.Jen Blyth
Learning sign language is rising in popularity in the mainstream, but this does not always translate to greater availability of Deaf qualified teachers, or understanding of Deaf culture.
Language doesn't exist in a vacuum and cannot exist without culture.Karthik Vijayanandam
A shortage of interpreters compounded by a lack of diversity in their ranks means that Deaf people are often in situations where they can feel uncomfortable. Simple things like going to the doctor can become difficult if you are not able to find a suitable interpreter.
Jen and Karthik can both picture an ideal world where there would be no need for interpreters at all.
Everybody would learn to sign. All information would be available visually, with no announcements in audio. Visual vernacular performances would be everywhere. Buildings would be designed by Deaf architects so they're optimal for Deaf people.
And we can go to a restaurant and order our very specific meal with all the inclusions and exclusions and it arrives just as we described it! That’s the perfect world that we would all love. It could be like that here on Earth... if we just learnt to sign.Jen Blyth
Our Deaf Ways is a series by SBS and Deaf Australia about everyday life as a Deaf person. Over the six-part visual podcast series, Deaf people from all walks of life share stories and perspectives on Deaf Ways.
Watch all episodes of Our Deaf Ways on the channel, and
Our Deaf Ways is produced in partnership with and hosted by Deaf advocate Shirley Liu. The series is produced and directed by Paula Thornton, and edited by June Stathis.
More episodes of Our Deaf Ways
Deaf 101: Understanding Auslan's importance in the Deaf community
Deaf Australia and SBS acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are watching with us.
Deaf Australia and SBS celebrate Auslan and recognise all Deaf leaders in Australia who have advocated for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing communities. Deaf Australia is proud of everyone’s contribution, whether big or small, in preserving our language, community and culture.
