Deaf Life, Let's Talk About It | Green Square Library
A family-friendly networking event to experience stories, meet members of the Deaf community and gain insights to raising deaf kids.
Date and time
Location
Green Square Library
355 Botany Road Zetland, NSW 2017 AustraliaAbout this event
- 4 hours
Inspired by the ‘Human Library’ concept, Deaf Connect’s Therapy and Family Services team are hosting “conversation tables” with 20 diverse members of the Deaf and hard of community for families to ask questions, have a friendly discussion with a Deaf role model or Deaf community member and learn about the different ways of being Deaf to support you on your own journey.
Families are encouraged to bring their children, partners or friends to come along and:
- Ask questions – the ones you have always wanted to ask!
- Learn more about growing up Deaf, raising a deaf child, culture and community from people with lived experience
- See the many different ways of being Deaf
- Meet our Family Mentors and get insights into how they can support the development of your deaf child in our new Family Mentor Program.
What to expect on the day:
- Head to the welcome table upon arrival where our friendly hosts will greet you and assign you to a conversation. Peruse the catalogue about each Deaf community member you can speak to, and chat to our hosts, who have specialised knowledge from working in the family sector with deaf kids and will be there to answer any questions and can recommend who may be best for you to meet.
- Be guided to a ‘conversation table’ with multiple seats, pens and paper, where you'll meet your assigned Deaf community member. Depending on who you have booked, there may be a short wait where we encourage you to explore the library, use the cafe or mingle!
- Hear about their stories, chat through your questions and broaden your understanding. Ask that question you have always wanted to ask!
- Our Deaf community volunteers will engage kids in conversations, so you can bring the whole family along!
Prompt/example questions to ask will be provided. You also have the chance to wander around the library and grab something from the library cafe while waiting for your allotted conversation.
Some topics you can explore with our Deaf community volunteers include:
- Growing up Deaf in a hearing world
- Importance of having Deaf mentors
- And more!
RSVP: Please RSVP by grabbing a free ticket on this event page. Make sure to include all people attending including accompanying children, family members and/or friends.
We will have some Kids Activity Books to share on the day - be one of the first 60 RSVPs to secure one!
PLEASE NOTE: While hosts will help schedule you in during the drop-in period (11-3pm), there may be limited capacity in the Green Square branch area. You will have the opportunity to walk around the library and meet other families and community members between allotted ‘conversations’.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Our volunteers, particularly our Deaf Family Mentors Dimitra, Mark, Renee and Raphie will engage your child in the conversation. We encourage this event to be a whole-family experience!
Not at all! Auslan interpreters will be present for communication support. You'll find that among our volunteers, there are many ways of being Deaf with different communication modalities.
Yes! There will be professional and student interpreters rs who will assist with communication support where needed. Conversations can be interpreted.
You cannot “pre-book” a conversation with someone, the event is open for you to “show up” at any time between 11-3pm and the hosts will help book you in. Sessions are booked in up to 30-minute time slots and you may book multiple.
Yes, you are encouraged to attend! This is the purpose of the event - to bring people together, encourage learning and break down barriers.
Our hosts at the welcome table are Deaf Connect staff members and professionals in the family sector who have specialised knowledge and experience working with families of Deaf and hard of hearing children. You can speak with them about what you what to learn and they can make recommendations.
Group sizes are limited to 6 people at a conversation table at a time.
You can find more information about the Family Mentor program on our website * link https://deafconnect.org.au/services/therapy-and-family-services/family-mentor-program. You can get in touch with the program facilitator, Genevieve Roberts, by emailing genevieve.roberts@deafconnect.org.au
You can contact the Deaf Connect Therapy and Family Services team after the event with questions and to learn more about services and programs for Deaf and hard of hearing kids at therapy.info@deafconnect.org.au
Organized by
A not for profit organisation working with the community to enhance services and programs that benefit Deaf and hard of hearing adults and children across Australia.