The Deafness Forum is the peak body for deafness in Australia. Established in early 1993, it represents all interests and viewpoints of Australians who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment.

The representational base of the Deafness Forum is divided into five sections:

�h Hearing Impaired Section: for persons with a hearing impairment who communicate predominantly orally; and for organisations of such persons

�h Deaf Section: for the Deaf community, that is those persons who consider themselves to be members of that community by virtue of its language (Australian Sign Language - Auslan) and culture; and for organisations of such persons

�h Ear Disorders Section: for people who have a chronic disorder of the ear such as Tinnitus, Meniere��s Disease, Acoustic Neuroma and Conductive Deafness; and for organisations of such persons

�h Parents Section: for parents or legal guardians of persons who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment; and for organisations of such persons

�h Service Providers Section: for individuals and organisations providing services to the Deaf and/or hearing impaired communities (such as audiometrists, teachers of the Deaf, sign language interpreters, GPs and ENTs)

Organisational members of the Forum include national, State/Territory, regional and local groups. The major national organisations holding membership are Better Hearing Australia and the Parents of Hearing Impaired Children National Network.

The Forum��s National Secretariat in Canberra has ongoing National Secretariat Program funding, which includes an amount to facilitate communication with Deaf and hearing impaired persons. The Secretariat has two staff �V a CEO and a P/T Membership and Information Liaison Officer.

The Deafness Forum exists to improve the quality of life for Australians who are Deaf, have a hearing impairment or have a chronic disorder of the ear by advocating for government policy change and development, making input into policy and legislation, generating public awareness of hearing related issues, providing a forum for information sharing, and creating better understanding between all areas of deafness.


Deafness Forum Australia
218 Northbourne Ave
Braddon, ACT  2612
Ph: 02 6262 7808
Fax: 02 6262 7810
Web: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~deaforum
Email: [email protected]

ABN: 49 008 587 611       DGR: Endorsed / Approved

	Donations to this organisation are tax deductible. *
	Volunteering: Phone 02 6262 7808 for details OR Email this address [email protected] listing your contact details and how you might be able to help.