Page 1844 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 19 August 1992
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MR WOOD: Thank you; that is what it was all about. It is also, I believe, a report well worth reading. I would encourage members not simply to put it in the bin or to put it on their shelves, but to have a careful look at it. I would particularly draw the attention of members to the overview part of the report, especially pages 5 to 7, for the summary of DELP's achievements in 1991-92, and pages 14 and 17, for the 1992-93 outlook, which outlines how the performance of my department could be measured in that year.
Mr Kaine: Are you going to move that it be noted?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I am happy to do that, although it does not need me to do that to encourage debate. I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
Debate (on motion by Mr Kaine) adjourned.
DEAFNESS AWARENESS WEEK
Ministerial Statement
MR BERRY (Minister for Health, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Sport), by leave: Madam Speaker, 23 to 30 August is Deafness Awareness Week. This is a time when we as a community should take the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the nature of deafness. We should also focus on the positive steps we can take to assist in dealing with the issues involved. It is also an opportunity to gain a greater appreciation not only of the difficulties encountered by the hearing impaired but also of the rich and diverse nature of the deaf community, which has its own unique language and culture.
Madam Speaker, communication is a basic right for all of us. It is, however, much more than that, as it is essential for survival and is a major contributor to our overall sense of well-being. In our society we acquire and share information through the medium of language to such an extent that speaking and listening appear to be almost automatic. One of the most important aspects of the communication process is the gift of hearing. Deafness, like hearing, is itself not always apparent or visible to the observer. Because it is not visible, those who can hear tend to take the ability to hear for granted, and we tend to think of deafness as being less disabling a condition for this very reason.
Deafness comes in many forms and affects all age groups. Some people, Madam Speaker, are born with a hearing impairment, while others acquire it as a result of illness or ageing, or through exposure to adverse environments in later life. Deafness can be temporary or permanent. It can range in severity from a mild affliction through to complete hearing loss. Not all persons with a degree of hearing loss will require hearing aids, and many will choose not to wear them. Some forms of hearing impairment are treatable through medical or surgical means. The one approach which applies to all types and severity of deafness is acceptance and understanding of deafness, and support for the person who suffers hearing loss. The Government recognises this and incorporates this approach into the range of services provided by the Department of Health.
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