Reform in Healthcare Communication Access
Following our media statement on healthcare communication access.
Deaf Australia is calling for urgent action on:
- Legislated Right to Auslan Interpreters in all healthcare settings, with enforceable standards and penalties for non-compliance.
- National Deaf Health Access Framework, co-designed with Deaf communities, to embed culturally safe practices across the sector.
- Mandatory Deaf Awareness and Auslan Training for all healthcare professionals.
- Real-Time Interpreter Booking Systems integrated into hospital workflows.
- Transparent Reporting and Accountability for communication failures in healthcare.
We also call on all State and Territory Governments to:
- Urgently review and update their language access policies, ensuring they are inclusive of Auslan and Deaf cultural needs.
- Co-design and consult on these language policies with Deaf-led and disability representative organisations, including Deaf Australia, to ensure they reflect lived experience and community expertise.
- Review and update any existing Auslan interpreter booking flowcharts or Deaf Awareness checklists to ensure they are current, practical, and meet the needs of Deaf consumers.
- Introduce clear regulations and mandatory standards to make sure these policies are implemented consistently across all healthcare settings.
Next Steps for Deaf Australia:
- Gather evidence-based data and collect lived experience stories from Deaf individuals to develop compelling business case studies that strengthen systemic advocacy for equitable healthcare access.
- Explore opportunities to design and launch a public awareness campaign highlighting the communication rights of Deaf people in healthcare settings.
- Advocate for policy and legislative reforms that provide stronger protection for the right of Deaf people to communication access in healthcare.
Read our media statement - Media Statement: Deaf Australia Responds to the Death of Bruce Drabsch and Calls for Urgent Reform in Healthcare Communication Access
Share your experience & help our campaign
To support this campaign and our advocacy efforts, we are calling for all deaf & hard of hearing Australians including their loved ones to share their experience. Please fill out the form below to share your story
If you do not have an experience to share, you can support us by:
- Share this campaign and media statement to raise awareness
- Join Deaf Australia as a member.
