For the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, connection often relies heavily on sign language. But only a tiny proportion of Australians know how to use Auslan. One group in Adelaide is hoping to change that by teaching more people sign in a relaxed social setting.
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00:00When Gail and Neville Pittaway meet up with their mates at the pub, it's mostly silent,
00:07other than laughter. It's because they're chatting in Auslan. It's part of an initiative
00:14by an organisation in Adelaide where people can practice sign language in a social setting.
00:19Oh, it's really great because I can go along to help other people who are learning sign language.
00:26The group, Voices Off, brings together people who are deaf, hard of hearing and those who can hear
00:31and gives everyone a chance to communicate, with options like pen and paper if you don't know a sign.
00:37We wanted hearing people to feel like they had an easy access to the community to get involved
00:42and then we wanted deaf people to feel like they had a deaf Auslan friendly space
00:46where they could come, socialise, meet people.
00:49We try to make it as accessible as possible for anyone of all fluency levels to come along,
00:55whether you're a native signer who's been signing since day dot,
00:58or someone who has just had their first class yesterday.
01:00Researcher Ramos Macrae says without language tools like Auslan,
01:04people can experience loneliness or exclusion.
01:07He says groups like this can help to connect people.
01:10The opportunity to socialise and communicate provides an opportunity to share information
01:16and awareness to find out about deaf people's lives. I think that's really, really significant.
01:22According to the 2021 Census, more than 16,000 people around Australia regularly use Auslan.
01:28Advocates hope that groups like this one could help to increase that.
01:32We need more hearing people to learn and pick up Auslan.
01:37A call for more communication and connection.