Youth to access Auslan lesson

BALLARAT Youth Services will host a second online beginner’s Auslan lesson facilitated by accredited interpreters from Deaf Children Australia.

For young people between 12 and 25, the upcoming session via Zoom will cover what Auslan is, teach some deaf awareness and basics of the Australian sign language including fingerspelling, and broad topics like seasons and hobbies.

BYS’s first Auslan session was held earlier in the month ahead of this week which is the National Week of Deaf People.

Youth facilitator, Karissa Cribbes was involved in the beginner’s lesson led by Jennie, a deaf tutor and her two interpreters.

“We learnt a few words, seasons, the alphabet, saying our name. There were also opportunities to ask questions about the deaf community at the whole,” she said.

“I’d never met anyone that was deaf and I didn’t know anything about the deaf community, so finding out more was really nice, with the addition of Auslan.”

She said it’s important for any minority to know they have the support of allies, and that people outside their group want to learn and connect.

“I know if I was in a foreign country where no one spoke English but someone said hi to me, it would mean the world and be less isolating.”

Follow facebook.com/ballaratyouthservices for up-to-date information on the next session.

“We cannot wait for the next instalment so we can become more inclusive and accessible in everything we do for young people in the community who are deaf and hard of hearing,” Ms Cribbes said.