Page 4730 - Week 13 - Thursday, 28 November 2019
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In addition to this, I will be seeking advice regarding how training for Auslan interpreters could be expanded or developed to support interpreters to gain a greater understanding of mental health, mental health services, and some of the challenges that people face when seeking to understand their own diagnosis and wellbeing. All of these initiatives are a step forward, but they are not a complete solution to the issues facing deaf communities around Australia. Work toward ensuring better access and availability of qualified and highly skilled interpreters will continue into the future.
In the ACT we perhaps face a greater challenge than our larger state and territory counterparts due to the small nature of our community and the challenges associated with ensuring sustainable access to interpreters. On any given day, two conflicting appointments may mean someone struggles to get assistance from an interpreter.
I can advise that the Deaf Society has worked closely with Skills Canberra through our skilled capital program to provide Auslan courses over many years. I am pleased to learn that this relationship continues. I understand that all parties are seeking ways to meet the needs arising in the community.
I can also advise that Canberra Health Services are committed to providing flexible, supportive and available interpreter services whenever they are needed. This work will further develop our thinking on how these service can be made even more accessible.
Perhaps the most important issue in all of this debate is awareness. Increased awareness can bring a better understanding of culture and a better ability to communicate and participate. This is crucial to helping to support the mental health and wellbeing of deaf and deafblind people in the ACT. Developing this kind of awareness is a complex undertaking, one that requires analysis, planning, collaboration and commitment. However, I believe it is possible to give everyone in the ACT opportunities to learn about different cultures and how to communicate together in new ways.
This could be targeted in a number of ways. Some of the suggestions I have heard to date include innovative ideas, for example, the suggestions that the delivery of Auslan courses could be made available in schools or in workplaces which could help interested people to learn a new language and engage with our deaf community.
While this type of example would require long-term work, I believe innovative ideas could make a significant change for the deaf community in Canberra. There is no single answer or easy path to address the issues facing deaf Canberrans, and I conclude by thanking Ms Lawder for her passion in bringing this issue forward. I look forward to her support and participation in creating a way forward to ensure that service accessibility remains a core quality of our mental health services.
As the Minister for Mental Health, I will continue to keep the Legislative Assembly and the public up to date with our work. I present a copy of the statement:
Deaf and deafblind community—Mental health services—Response to the resolution of the Assembly of 25 September 2019—Ministerial statement, 28 November 2019.
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