On this page you will find information about upcoming and past events.
Upcoming Deafblind West Australian social events
Renting With Confidence workshop – for renters by Shelter WA
Wednesday 8 November
DBWA Connect Hub
12:30 pm to 4 pm (drop in anytime)
The Rise – 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
Auslan Interpreter onsite
No Auslan lesson
DBWA Pub Lunch Mt Henry Tavern – Como
Sunday 12 November 2023
DBWA welcome you to come along and join them at their last pub lunch gathering for 2023.
We will be getting together on SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER at the Mt Henry Tavern in Como.
Come for lunch or a drink, or both. Stay the whole time or stay a while.
Everyone is welcome.
Deafblind.
Deaf. Hard of hearing. Hearing.
Blind. Low Vision.
Communication Guides.
Sighted guides.
Support workers.
Auslan students. Auslan Interpreters.
Family. Friends.
Colleagues.
Supporters. VolunteerS…
When: SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER
Time: 11.30AM – 3PM or whenever you decide to drop in
Where: MT HENRY TAVERN
27 MANNING ROAD COMO
(Tavern doesn’t open until 11.30am)
Looking forward to another great day out.
Posting on behalf of Peter Cliff – DBWA Events Coordinator
Social pub lunch
Just turn up and have a meal or a snack or a drink – No need to RSVP.
11:00 to 3:00
Family are welcome to join us
Exercise Physiology by Matt Hunt from Healthy AspectS
Wednesday 22 November
DBWA Connect Hub
12:30 pm to 4 pm (drop in anytime)
The Rise – 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
Auslan Interpreter onsite
Central Alert system (similar to Bellman) for a show-and-tell by Theresa Kirwan from Senses WA
Check out the website link to products
Wednesday 6 December
DBWA Connect Hub
12:30 pm to 4 pm (drop in anytime)
The Rise – 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
Auslan Interpreter onsite
DBWA Connect Hub Christmas party (family, friends and supporters are welcome)
Wednesday 20 December
Dress up for Christmas
DBWA Connect Hub
12:30 pm to 4 pm (drop in anytime)
The Rise – 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
Auslan Interpreter onsite
BYO small gift for Secret Santa to share – up to $15
DBWA Christmas party in the park (family, friends and supporters are welcome)
Sunday 3 December
G. O. Edwards park
BYO Picnic lunch or BBQ, drinks, seat or blanket, Gift for secret Santa (up to $15)
Dress up for Christmas
11 am to 3 pm (drop in anytime)
G. O. Edwards park, Burswood Road, near Leigh Street Burswood
BYO small gift for Secret Santa to share – up to $15
- DBWA Social – 19th November
Please book your Communication Guide or Sighted Guide or Support Worker.
We welcome the Deafblind community, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, the Blindness and Low Vision community family, friends, Auslan Interpreters, Communication Guides, Auslan students, Sensory Service providers, and supporters.
For more information or suggestions of activities please contact Peter Cliff at events@dbwa.org.au
Peter Cliff would like to hear your ideas of activities.
Past Events
INVITE – DBWA 2 Events – Wednesday 21 June and Tuesday 27 June 2023
Event 1 – Reforming Disability Law: Have Your Say
Wednesday 21st June at The Rise Maylands.
Event 2.
– Deafblind Awareness Week (DBAW)
Tuesday 27th June at Perth City Farm East Perth.
Event: Reforming Disability Law: Have Your Say
Important Deafblind Community Consultation with the Department of Communities
“Reforming Disability Law: Have Your Say”
Please see video for details
When: Wednesday the 21st of June 1- 3pm.
This event was held at the DBWA Connect Hub
Where: The RISE Community Centre, 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
Department of Communities had requested the deafblind communities input in this important law reform. Laws have not been changed for 30 years and DBWA wishes to ensure that deafblind is part of this new disability legislation.
The Government arranged a consultation to take place, seeking feedback and suggestions from the community in regard to how they can improve the law to benefit all of us.
Please watch this video which is in Auslan, Captions and Spoken English. You might need to watch it a few times as there is a lot to understand.
Download the Video Transcript:
Have Your Say – Reforming WA Disability Law.
The first topic in the consultation paper was about how we define disability in the law.
The government wants to know how best to define disability in the law.
This is important because a person needs to meet the definition of disability in law to be able to get services and support.
WA disability law says that a disability is when you have one or more of these types of disability:
Intellectual.
Psychiatric.
Cognitive.
Neurological.
Sensory.
Secondly, the law should recognize the impact Deafblindness has on individuals every day.
It’s not just being Deaf and not only being blind, but having dual sensory loss.
The disability law has a list of important beliefs.
In the law, these are called principles.
The beliefs, or principles, say that people with disabilities should be respected.
And thirdly, not all Deafblind people are the same.
We experience differences during the day and night.
Some people have very good experiences, while others do not.
The next topic the WA Government wants your opinion about is rules that protect people with disability from being hurt, treated badly or taken advantage of by providers of disability supports and services.
These are called safeguards.
The WA Government wants to know if you could think of other ways to properly protect people with disability when it comes to state disability supports and services.
The major topics of this consultation / feedback session are:
- How will we define Disability in the Law in WA.
- Principals that apply to people with disabilities.
- Rules that protect people from abuse.
- Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability.
The Department of Communities were looking for feedback at the Reforming Disability Law: Have Your Say session on Wednesday 21st June at The Rise in Maylands.
Here you can find more information:
Please watch the video a few times.
Download the Video Transcript”
The Department of Communities wanted your feedback at the Reforming Disability Law: Have Your Say session on Wednesday 21st June at The Rise in Maylands.
Event: Deafblind Awareness Week (DBAW)
DEAFBLIND AWARENESS WEEK 2023
Deafblind West Australians celebrated Deafblind Awareness Week (DBAW).
Deafblind Awareness Week (DBAW) is celebrated internationally each year to coincide with Helen Keller’s birthday on 27 June.
Where: Perth City Farm
1 City Farm Place, East Perth. WA 6004
When: 27th June, 2023
Time: 10am – 12 pm please arrive on time
Program:
An incredible permanent Art Installation, designed and made by Deafblind West Australians will be unveiled.
Celebrating DBAW theme “A Senses of Community”
Presentations by people with lived experience of deafblindness: Achievements, Peer Support, Employment and DB Awareness.
Auslan interpreters on site
This event was organised by Deafblind West Australians, with thanks to SensesWA, Mosaics Association of Australia and New Zealand (MAANZ) and funded by Deafblind Information Australia
DBWA Connect
Deafblind West Australians has created an opportunity for people who are deafblind to “connect” at our DBWA Connect Drop In Centre.
The DBWA Connect Drop In centre is open on Wednesday (fortnightly), We are a drop in centre focused on assistive and adaptive technology literacy in the Deafblind Community. The DBWA Connect Drop In centre is where people who are deafblind can help each other.
Come along and learn basic Auslan from 1PM to 2PM as part of DBWA Connect.
The DBWA Connect Drop In centre is located at The Rise, 28 Eighth Avenue Maylands from 12:30PM to 4PM
Past sessions:
- Wednesday 14 September – personal safety and safety in the community
- Wednesday 28 September – Orientation and Mobility Fun day games using white cane skills
- Wednesday 12 October – Vital Diabetes WA workshop
- Wednesday 26 October – White Cane tips and uses for O and M skills
- Wednesday 9 November – candle making
- Wednesday 23 November – Thermomix cooking
- Wednesday 7 December – creating Christmas cards, baubles, wrapping
- Wednesday 21 December – Christmas party
- 22 June – Deafblind people speaking about being Daefblind Proud for Deafblind Awareness week 2022.
- 6 July – Disability Royal Commission – deafblind people telling their stories in their words to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
- 20 July – NDIS Information Gathering for Access and Planning (IGAP) Survey. Deafblind people speaking about their experiences of the NDIS.
- 3 August – Auslan games
- 17 August – Face sculptures using clay with Infinite Arts Studio.
- 31 August – Clare from VisAbility speaking about white canes, orientation and mobility and using haptic devices for mobility
- Auslan lesson at 12:30
- Guest Speaker –WA Scam Net speaking about how to protect yourself and your family from Scammers
- Social and Peer Support 3:00 pm
- Auslan lesson at 12:30
- Guest Speaker Audiologist from Lions Ear Science (Jordan) at 1:30
- Social and Peer Support 2:30
- Auslan lesson at 12:30
- Guest Speaker – DBWA members speaking about being Deafblind Proud for Deafblind Awareness Week. (If you want to tell your deafblind story about being deafblind proud, please let me know, by 20 June)
- Social and Peer Support 2:30
- Panel of Speakers at 12:30
- Tell your story 2:30 – Your story can be about a time when you were refused a service or when someone did something wrong to you.
- Representatives from Deafblind Australia, Deaf Australia, Deafblind West Australians, Legal Aid WA, Counsellors 12:30 to 5
- Rita Kleinfield-Fowell – Chair
- Eddie Szczepanik – Deputy Chair
- Peter Cliff – Secretary
- Melissa Evans – Treasurer
- Kirsty Lim – Committee Member/Events
- Rhiannon Green – Committee Member/Membership Officer
- Allan Cox – Committee Member
- Jennifer Weir – Committee Member
- George Szczepanik – Committee Member
- Carol Brown – Committee Member
- Karen Wickham – Committee Member
- Linni Oliver – Committee Member/Family Members or Support Person
- Linda de Rozario – Committee Member/Family Members or Support Person
- Karen Wickham – Project Coordinator Stronger Together Mental Health Project
- Karen Wickham – Project Coordinator DBWA Connect Drop In Center as part of the Seen and Heard Project
- Erika Webb – Project Manager See us, Hear us, Know us Join Us Capacity Building Project
- Erika Webb – Project Officer DBWA Connect Drop In Center as part of the Seen and Heard Project
- Erika Webb – Supporting the Secretary
- Greg Madson – Policy & Governance, Website Maintenance (supporting the Board)
- Wednesday 29 June from 9am – 3pm The CHARGE Pre-Conference
- Wednesday 29 June from 9am – 3pm The Usher Pre-Conference
- Wednesday 29 June – 2pm Maritime Museum Tactile Tour
- Wednesday 29 June – 5pm to 7pm – Welcome Cocktail Function
- Thursday 30 June and Friday 1 July the 11th National Deafblind Conference sessions and trade exhibition all day both days.
- Thursday 30 June 6:30 to 10pm Gala Dinner
- Saturday 2 July – 10:30am Maritime Museum Tactile Tour
- Saturday 2 July – 2:15pm Fremantle Prison Tour
- Presentation by Deborah Kazich on “My Craft Skills”
- Presentation by Roberto Trimboli on “Being a Deafblind Business Man”
- We have the Deafblind West Australian Camp in March
- We will be Yarm Bombing at the DB Camp and other events
- We will be doing some group walks to various places
- We will be holding several Technology Workshops
- We will have some pub lunches at the Balmoral Hotel
- We will have several events as part of Deafblind Awareness Week in June
- We will hold a High Tea
- We are doing a fundraising Walk, where DBWA members get sponsored for walking laps around a metropolitan lake
- Rita Kleinfield-Fowell – Chair
- Eddie Szczepanik – Deputy Chair
- Rhiannon Green – Secretary
- Jennifer Weir – Treasurer
- Penny Rogers – Committee Member/Grant Writer
- Clair Josling – Committee Member/Events
- Roberto Trimboli – Committee Member/Cultural Ambassador
- Peter Cliff – Committee Member
- George Szczepanik – Committee Member
- Allan Cox – Committee Member
- Kirsty Lim – Committee Member
- Erika Webb – Project Manager See us, Hear us, Know us Join Us Project
- Greg Madson/Erika webb – Policy & Governance (supporting the Board)
- Karen Wickham/Linni Oliver/Melissa Evans – (supporting the Board)
- Jennelle Macri/Alex Madden/Dominic DAgostino/Mark Macri and other Communication Guides – (supporting the Board)
- Our annual Christmas Party Picnic and BBQ in the Park on 6 December
- Deafblind Awareness Week – Zoom Social Gathering – Saturday 20
- Deafblind Awareness Week 2020 on Facebook – from 21 to 27 June 2020
- Deafblind Awareness Week – Balmoral Hotel on Sunday 28 June 2020
Wednesday 25th May
Wednesday 8th June
Wednesday 22nd June
Wednesday 6th July Special Event – Disability Royal Commission
The Disability Royal Commission is also known as the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
There will be NO Auslan lesson on 6th July.
DBWA Connect Drop in Centre on Facebook
DBWA Connect
For more details contact our Events planner via email events@dbwa.org.au
Regular Social pub lunches
We hold regular social pub lunches to get together for lunch at various pubs in the Perth metro area.
For details of upcoming pub lunches contact our Events planner via email events@dbwa.org.au
Balmoral Hotel – June 2021
Cotteslose Hotel – November 2021
Deafblind West Australians – Annual General Meeting 2022
The Annual General Meeting 2022 for Deafblind West Australians was held on Saturday 3rd September at The Rise in Maylands. We have 30 members, supporters and friends attended.
After the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Saturday 3rd September 2022, the following people were elected to the Deafblind West Australians Board.
Board Members
Non Board Members
11th National Deafblind Conference
11th National Deafblind Conference at The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle
Deafblind Awareness Week 2022
As part of Deafblind Awareness Week, Deafblind West Australians are part of a National video of people who are deafblind.
These videos will be shown during the 11th National Deafblind Conference, held in Perth, 29 June to 1 July 2022.
These videos are available on YouTube. These videos have Auslan and are audio described
You can also read and download the Transcripts to both videos.
You can share these videos with family and friends.
Happy Deafblind Awareness Week to you all.
Deafblind West Australians – Road Trip March 2022
Deafblind West Australians – Providing Support for West Australian’s who are Deafblind. Deafblind West Australians is the peer led and peer run deafblind community organisation for and by people who are deafblind.
30 participants Joined us at our Drop In Centre in Busselton, which is 2 and half hours from Perth
Deafblind West Australians were in Busselton on Wednesday 16th March at SensesWA hub office 9 Harris Road, Busselton on the corner of Brown Street. SensesWA held an onsite Deafblind Clinic by appointment.
In the morning we held presentations on Assistive and Adaptive technology. For those who brought along their own device we provided assistance.
In the afternoon we were more informal and social.
Deafblind West Australians Quiz Night – 21 January 2022
An exciting fundraiser and fun night for people who are deafblind, family and friends.
It was held on Friday 21st January 2022 at The Cockburn CRC and Cockburn Bowling Club
Christmas Party in the Park – Deafblind West Australians
Over 40 deafblind members, family and friends enjoyed this years Christmas Party in the Park. Santa handed out gifts to everyone. People enjoyed coffee from Kyal’s Coffee Kart
Kyal’s Coffee Kart on Facebook
We had good food and a food time.
When: Sunday 12th December 2021
Time: 10 to 3pm
Where: G. O. Edwards Park, Burswood Road, Burswood (same place as last year) The shady area, near the carpark on Burswood Road, near Leigh Street.
Deafblind West Australians – Mental Health Workshop
“Stronger Together”
This workshop was designed specifically for people living with deafblindness. At this workshop you will gain an understanding of the issues surrounding mental health and the factors that affect wellbeing. There will education and lots of fun activities that will help you build good strategies into your life to recognise problems and maintain your own good mental health.
When:
Friday 26th of November and
Saturday 27th of November, 2021
Where: Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle–Rottnest & Garden rooms
We had 55 participants including people who are dafblind, communication guides, Auslan and Tactile Auslan Interpreters, family and friends.
Tomato Lake Sponsored Walk
On Saturday 16 October Deafblind WA members held a sponsored walk to raise some much needed funds.
Deafblind WA members and supporters walked numerous laps around Tomato Lake. It was a fun day and family, friends and supporters are welcome to join us!
Tomato Lake car park, off Oats St, Kewdale, 20 minutes east of Perth
Deafblind WA 2021 Annual General Meeting
On Saturday 28 August DBWA held its 2021 Annual General Meeting at the Broken Hill Hotel, Albany Highway in Victoria Park.
WA Yarn Bombing Launch- Sunday 27 June 2021
As part of Deafblind Awareness Week, on Sunday 27 June 2021 we installed all the knitted and crocheted squares at a Yarn Bombing at the Balmoral Hotel
The Yarn Bombing has gone global with the support of Deafblind International and 22 countries are participating doing Yarn Bombing too.
International Yarn Bombing 2021
Deafblind Awareness Week – National Facebook Event
A National Deafblind Awareness Week Yarn Bombing Event was held online on Facebook at:
Event – National Deafblind Awareness Week Yarn Bombing
From 21 June – 27 June 2021 on Facebook. People shared photos and stories and videos of what they did for the National Deafblind Awareness Week.
Balmoral Lunch – Sunday 30 May 2021
Deafblind WA members once again had a great lunch at our favourite haunt on Sunday 30 May the Balmoral Hotel in East Victoria Park.
WA Museum Boola Bardip visit on 15 May 2021
Deafblind West Australians and supporters had a fantastic day at the WA Museum Boola Bardip. It was a Tactile Tour and Auslan Interpreted event. There is so much to see and do, that we need another visit see all of the newly upgraded Museum.
WA Museum Boola Bardip website
We welcomed people who are Deafblind, Deaf, Blind, Family, Friends, Communication Guides, Auslan Interpreters, Colleagues, Auslan Students And our fabulous Volunteers.
Deafblind Camp 2021 in Western Australia
Due to COVID-19 the 2020 Western Australian Deafblind Camp had to be moved to March 2021.
“Glitz & Glamour on the Red Carpet”
held on: Friday the 12th of March to Monday the 15th of March, 2021
Woodman Point, Coogee South of Fremantle, Western Australia.
Below is a link to our YouTube Channel for the Deafblind camp 2021. Re-visit it regularly as we are adding more content.
YouTube Channel for Deafblind camp 2021
Deafblind West Australians Christmas Picnic – Sunday 6 December 2020
We invited you and your family to join us for our annual Christmas function.
Share a gift of up to $10 in a “Secret Santa”. Secret Santa is a Christmas tradition.
G.O. Edwards Park, Burswood.
Sunday 6th December 2020
12:30 to 2:30
BYO picnic food and drink (shard onsite BBQs are available)
We celebrated the festive season and the end of 2020 with family, friends and supporters.
Raffle tickets were sold at the event. Money raised will support Deafblind West Australians. Congratulations to Clair Josling, who won the raffle
International White Cane Day 2020
On 15 October members of DBWA took time out of their busy schedules to use their white cane skills for a walk around King’s Park in Perth.
The group met at the Zamia Cafe, walked through the park, visiting the DNA Tower.
After the walk everyone enjoyed a catch-up and meal back at the cafe
Here is a great YouTube clip done for International White Cane Day>
Deb on International White Cane Day
Technology Workshop – Saturday 3rd October 2020 Perth
Deafblind West Australians hosted a face to face in person Technology Workshop on Saturday 3rd October at Citiplace in Perth. We had 13 members participate in this Auslan Interpreted event .
Our Technology Expert, answered all questions on the accessibility features found on smartphones and tablets.
There was demonstrations on useful apps for iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets.
Deafblind West Australians Annual Planning Day 2020
“See us, Hear us, Know us, Join us”
On the 5th September Deafblind, West Australians held their Annual Planning Day and Annual General Meeting.
The day was very successful with over 30 people who participated in activities – members shared ideas for events, planning, projects, advocacy and what to do in the next twelve months.
We discussed the NDIS ILC funded See us, Hear us, Know us, Join us project progress. And Karen Wickham provided an update on the Deafblind Camp to be held from Friday the 12th of March to Monday the 15th of March 2021 at Woodman Point Recreation Camp with the “Glitz & Glamour on the Red Carpet” theme.
We had 2 members speak on their topics:
We event Yarn Bombed Eddie Szczepanik, as part of our Yarn Bombing project, which will continue into 2021.
What are we doing in 2021?
Deafblind West Australians are also looking for more ideas of events and activities that our members want to do, please email Erika at erika@dbwa.org.au with your suggestions.
Below is the new Deafblind West Australians Board. some members left the Board and DBWA thanks them for their time, their knowledge and hopes they can use the experience to participate on other Boards.
Deafblind West Australians Board Members:
Non Board Members:
Upcoming events for 2020:
On the day members also received their new Deafblind West Australians T-Shirt – see photo below.
For more information about Deafblind West Australians contact us via email: DBWA
Deafblind West Australians Technology Workshop 1st August 2020
In August we held a Technology Workshop with 16 participants and was Auslan Interpreted.
There was an overview of the different technologies for people who are deafblind such as smartphones, tablets, Braille devices, Smartphone Apps, what to consider when buying a laptop or PC computer.
Deafblind International Webinar Series for Deafblind Awareness Week
Deafblind International held a Webinar Series during Deafblind Awareness Week, June 22-26, 2020 with presenters from around the world including Australia.
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, webinars are THE opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other and re-connect with the deafblind community.
The 1st Deafblind International webinar series was held on Zoom from 22-26 June 2020 around the theme “Living with Deafblindness in a New Reality”.
Here is the overview of the program
Deafblind Awareness Week 2020 – 3 Events
In June, the birth month of Helen Keller, we celebrated deafblind awareness. We Joined Deafblind International, our communications ambassadors, members, and community across the globe in shedding light on deafblindness.
See us, Hear us, Know us, Join us!
Event 1.
Deafblind Awareness Week – Zoom Social Gathering – Saturday 20
Deafblind West Australians got together for a scheduled Zoom meeting.
The theme was:
“Identity and Connection = Deafblind Proud”
This was a social gathering, bringing friends and family together to share stories about being “Deafblind Proud”.
Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/659334844650021/
Event 2.
Deafblind Awareness Week 2020 on Facebook – from 21 to 27 June 2020
To celebrate Deafblind Awareness Week this year, Deafblind Information Australia hosted a week long online event for the Australian Deafblind Community.
The theme was “Identity and Connection = Deafblind Proud”.
We posted videos (daily) we have received from Deafblind people around Australia about what this theme means to them.
This Facebook event page will be the central place for the Deafblind community to come together during these difficult times and share the many and varied parts that make you, YOU!!
Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/525552598124378/
Event 3.
Deafblind Awareness Week – Balmoral Hotel on Sunday 28 June 2020
We celebrated Deafblind Awareness week with a social gathering at the Balmoral Hotel in East Vic Park, from 11:00 to 1:00 on Sunday 28th June 2020
The Balmoral Hotel is located at 901 Albany Highway East Victoria Park.
Facebook event page:
facebook.com/events/291781365178291/
Deafblind West Australians Easter Catch Up – Good Friday 2020
Hello Deafblind West Australians and Deafblind Community,
As most of us were unable to go away for Easter break or be with family and friends, We had a Catch up online and by phone instead.
We joined up on Good Friday at 11 AM Perth time.
This was not a formal meeting, it was just a social online catchup. Family, friends, Communication Guides, Interpreters and supporters also joined in.
This was our Easter picnic online.
Able Deafblind Camp 2017
24th-26th February 2017.
Where:
Forest Edge Camp CYC
405 McKenzie Road Neerim, Victoria 3831
Flights:
Travelling from interstate;
Arrive into Melbourne around 1pm on Friday 24th Feb Return flights from Melbourne after 5.00pm on Sunday 26th Feb *please arrange and book your own flights for this camp.
Accommodation:
Motel style & cabins (bunk beds & single beds in rooms) – for 200 people
Meals:
Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner Sunday breakfast & lunch.
Activities:
River rafting, river swimming, indoor rock climbing, archery, flying fox, ropes, trampolines, table tennis, air hockey.
Transport:
Bus from the airport at 2pm Friday 24th Feb and return to airport by 4pm on Sunday 28th Feb
Approximately 2 hours from airport to camp.
Cost: $120 for deafblind campers.
Contacts: Gary Daly on gary.daly(5)ableaustralia.org.au or Sarah Fitzgerald on sarah.fitzgerald@bleaustralia.org.au
Camp forms for deafblind and volunteers will be sent out when ready.
Save the date and hopefully we will see you there.
Western Australian “Heroes” Deafblind Camp 2016
Senses Australia was very proud to host the “Heroes” Deafblind Camp, November 18-20th, 2016, at the Woodman Point Recreation Camp, Coogee Western Australia.
The WA Deafblind Camp provided an opportunity for people who are deafblind to come together, to catch up with friends old and new, to share lived experiences and engage in recreational activities and outings in an environment that was safe, accessible and supportive.
For the full report please go here: “Heroes” Deafblind Camp Report (Word docx 1.92mb)
10th National Deafblind Conference 2016
Senses Australia was proud to host the 2016 10th National Deafblind Conference on behalf of the Australian Deafblind Council.
The theme of the conference was “Celebrating Experiences Across the Lifespan”.
Usher Pre-Conference 2016
The Usher pre-conference presented by Senses Australia and Deafblind International (DbI) Usher Syndrome Network was held on Tuesday 15th November, 2016, prior to the 10th National Deafblind Conference, Perth, Western Australia.
The Usher preconference gave the Australian deafblind community, its supporters and professionals working in the field the opportunity to: come together to share knowledge and experiences and learn more about new developments, results from research projects, exciting projects, best practices and lived experiences from people living with Usher syndrome and their families.
It will be held at Woodman Point Recreation Centre, which is close to Fremantle.
We will host a variety of activities over the weekend for people who are deafblind to experience and enjoy. The cost will be $100.00 per person. This will cover: accommodation, all meals and transport to external activities.
Volunteers will provide support with communication and sighted guide.
For more information please contact Karen Wickham, Senses Australia karen.wickham@senses.org.au or phone: (08) 9473 5462
Regular Balmoral Social get together
We hold a Regular Balmoral Social get together for “Our Permanent Residence”.
Friday 16th September 2016 at VisAbility Technology Outlook Expo.
Deafblind Consultants and staff from Senses will be attending on Friday the 16th of September from 10am. You will have the opportunity to hear from and speak with industry experts, educators and service providers on the latest assistive technology news.
If you are interested in attending and require support/transport please let Karen Wickham know as soon as possible. We can share a lunch at VisAbility Café after the workshops. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Email: karen.wickham@senses.org.au
Sunday 21st of August, 2016: The Hangout Indoor Rock Climbing and Abseiling Center, Bayswater.
West Coast Street Rod Club
On Saturday 23rd April 2016 the West Coast Street Rod Club had generously offered to host an event for Deafblind West Australians and their supporters, providing joy rides and information about their amazing vehicles.
Australians Inherited Retinal Diseases and DNA data bank Information session
Dr John De Roach and Terri McLaren from the Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Register and DNA Bank (AIRDR) kindly offered to come and speak to our group. This was a rare opportunity to hear straight from the research practitioners. Dr John De Roach is the Principal Medical Physicist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and is the Principal Investigator for the AIRDR. Terri McLaren is an Associate Investigator for tAIRDR and has worked at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital since 1980. The presentation was on the establishment of the Australian Inherited Retinal Disease Register and DNA Bank (AIRDR). Particular emphasis was given to results relevant to members of the Deafblind West Australian Group.
For information about any of our events please contact Karen Wickham: Senior Social Worker, Deafblind Consultant, Senses Australia: karen.wickham@senses.org.au