Door open to deaf initiative

Queensland’s Seasons Aged Care opened the doors of its newest aged care community in July at Waterford West – located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

As part of its celebrations, interpreter Sharon Smith was invited by Seasons to be part of special open days for the hearing impaired and to deliver sign language classes for the Waterford West staff.

“The deaf community – like any – has an ageing population,” Ms Smith said. “While they may be smaller in numbers than the general population, they are people who need all of the same things as they grow older.”

“Their access to information about a place such as Seasons Waterford West is limited so it would not be an option.

“Being on hand at the open days meant the deaf community was accessing the same information and had the same choices as the hearing population.”

Ms Smith, whose parents are both deaf, said having staff with basic understanding of Auslan – which is the language of the hearing impaired in Australia – did more than make communication possible.

“It means deaf people don’t have to lose their language as they get older, which tends to happen when they become isolated with no other signing people to communicate with,” she claimed.

Brett Casey, chief executive of Deaf Services Queensland (DSQ), said the Seasons initiative aided the DSQ vision of empowering and connecting deaf people.

“Seasons Waterford West is demonstrating to deaf and hearing communities the things which can occur when we treat people with dignity, and when we look to innovation, resourcefulness and creativity to find solutions and empower people,” Mr Casey said.

The initiative has been introduced between hearing and non-hearing residents at Seasons Waterford West.

While the Auslan tuition will mean casual day-to-day conversation between the hearing and deaf, interpreters will be on hand for any important matters concerning the deaf residents’ health and well-being.

Along with its contemporary design, overall use of technology and quality internal fit-out, the Waterford West complex has one of its four wings fitted with high intensity strobe lighting to wake people up in lieu of an audible fire alarm.

Click here for more information on Seasons Waterford West.