Media Statement

ANNOUNCEMENT

‘AUSLAN – NOW AND THEN’

~100 YEARS OF THE DEAF COMMUNITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA~

The Western Australian Association of the Deaf (WAAD) in conjunction with the Australian Association of Sign Language Interpreters – WA (ASLIA WA) and with the support of National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), are delighted to announce an exhibition of 100 years of the Deaf community in Western Australia.

The exhibition entitled ‘Auslan – Now and Then’ will be held at the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip on the weekend of the 18th and 19th of September 2021.

The Deaf community in WA has developed into a rich and thriving community within which is great diversity. From those who have Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as their first language, including the indigenous Deaf people, Deaf people who have migrated to Australia bringing their own sign languages and allies of the Deaf community – those people who work with, support and respect this community. ASLIA has become one of the Deaf community’s strongest allies and within which there is also great diversity.

WAAD and ASLIA WA feel that this wonderful, rich history is one to be told, one to be valued and together they will tell these hidden, forgotten stories, to show how this history has added to and enhanced the cultural and linguistic diversity that is Australia of today and the new WA Museum Boola Bardip provides the perfect venue in which to do so.

For the first time the exhibition will include:

• ‘Human Library’ – where members of the Deaf community will share their stories and answer questions from the audience;

• Recorded visual stories;

• Photo gallery;

• Children Corner – cultural and linguistic activities and storytelling specifically designed for young children;

• Displays of memorabilia e.g. clothing, equipment, technology;

• History of ASLIA WA and how it is intertwined with the Deaf community;

This exhibition will launch the National Week of Deaf People celebrations.