Making public spaces inclusive is something we feel is important.

Working with various Councils and Shires across Australia we have designed Auslan Communication Boards that can be displayed in playgrounds and other public spaces.

Our goal is to make Auslan visible, encourage the community to try Auslan, and promote alternative methods of communication.

Keep an eye out on our Social Media updates about which playground sand libraries have Auslan Communication Boards, so you can visit them yourself!

Current cities we are working with:

• Campbelltown City Council
• Town of Gawler
• City of Ballarat
• City of North Sydney
• Shire of Nillumbik
• Copper Coast Council
• Shire of Kent

In partnership with the City of West Torrens, we have Auslan Storytime and Sign Squad. Storytime is for preschool aged children (0-5 years old) and reading books through Auslan is a great way to introduce sign language to children and their caregivers. Sign Squad is for older kids and adults and the Auslan tutor will teach various signs that are commonly used in the Deaf community.

We have experienced Auslan tutors who can teach you or your family how to communicate in Auslan. We also can teach your work mates, your children’s childcare centre, sports teammates or friends. We can teach Auslan in your home or at your workplace or somewhere suitable. 

Our Auslan tutors has experience and resources to teach Auslan at different levels depending on the learners’ ages and abilities. 

We have both Deaf and hearing support workers (including Deaf Aboriginal and Nepalese/Bhutanese) who can support you in many ways to meet your goals and needs. We can support you in many different ways such as; 

• Understanding paperwork and support with filling out forms 
• Support you at social events eg festivals, expos, community parties etc 
• Support you at medical or any other appointments 
• Assist with transport and/or how to use public transport and taxi/uber training 
• Setting up assistive technologies and train you how to use them 
• Other daily living skills trainings eg preparing for your driver’s licence test, how to use an ATM, how to book an appointment with your doctor etc 
• How to problem solve 
• Support in the home eg cleaning, cooking, washing etc 
• Support with gardening and maintenance 
• Personal care 
• and many more! 

There’s no question that creativity is a powerful tool – it can help us expressourselves, come up with new ideas, and solve problems. For people with disabilities,creativity can be a significant way to connect with the world and communicate theirthoughts and feelings. That’s why we offer inclusive social workshops, delivered inAuslan, and where participants can let their creative side take over.

When we’re creative, we explore new ideas and innovate. We can also acknowledge and celebrate our uniqueness and diversity.

Our workshops are designed to be fun and social. They offer participants the opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests. Plus, they can enjoy the benefits of creativity in a relaxed and supportive environment.

This is held monthly at Toorak Gardens and it is open to all Deaf, Hard of Hearing and non-verbal NDIS participants.

Programs include different craft activities throughout the year such as mosaic, resin art, macrame, sewing, Christmas decorations, scrapbooking etc.

Deaf Awareness Training (DAT) is an educational program designed to help hearing people understand, communicate with, and support Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The workshops are delivered by Deaf trainers. It covers Deaf culture, practical communication strategies, methods to remove environmental barriers in communities and workplaces, promoting inclusion, better accessibility, effective interaction and many more.

All programs offer a variety of enriching activities that encourage them to grow and thrive through meaningful participation. Participants are able to achieve the same benefits as their hearing peers when activities are inclusive and meet the unique needs of Deaf/Deafblind/Non-Speaking people. Our programs have a positive impact on youth development outcomes related to independence, leadership, self-esteem, problem-solving, sense of belonging, feelings of empowerment, and development of identity. We also host 2x camps per year. All events and camps are chaperoned by DBE staff.

• Butterfly Garden – newborn to 5 years old
• Deafhood Kids – 5 years old to 11 years old
• Deafhood – 12 years old to 17 years old
• DH18+ 18 years old to 30 years old

We have access to; 

• Auslan interpreters 
• Deaf Interpreters 
• Deafblind Interpreters 
• Nepali and Bhutanese Interpreters 
• Communication Aides 
• Video Relay Interpreters 

You can book an interpreter for many different reasons such as; 

• Family weddings, funerals, parties or gatherings 
• Medical appointments 
• Counselling 
• Community events or parties 
• Hobby courses 
• Your children’s sporting events 
• Lessons eg swimming, driving, cooking, craft etc 
• To buy something eg house, car, lounge or swimming pool 
• Home or yard renovations 
• Work related meetings, interviews, events, trainings etc 
• and many more! 

For work related events, you can use your Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) if you have one. If not, please let us know and we can help you. 

We have Deaf, Hard of Hearing and some with cochlear implants mentors who can support and share knowledge, experience, and wisdom with you including role modelling. We also have Deaf Aboriginal and Deaf Nepalese/Bhutanese mentors available. This service is open to all d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing including with cochlear implant adults and children. 

Do you have funding for Support Coordination in your NDIS plan? If so, we can help you! 

Our support coordinators are fluent in Auslan and will be able to explain everything and make sure you fully understand because NDIS funding is there for you to improve your life. 

We can; 

• Connect you to various supports or services 
• Explain what your NDIS plan means 
• Explain how you can use your NDIS funding to meet your goals 
• Make sure all supports and services you are connected to is progressing well 
• Support you to monitor your NDIS plan to make sure you are using your funding to the max 
• Teach and support you how to use NDIS portal and where to find things 
• Explain the service agreements you may receive from other service providers 
• Support you if you have issues with other service providers 
• Ordering various assistive technologies and arrange someone to set them up and train you how to use them 
• Support you at your next NDIS review meeting 
• Assist you with appeals and tribunals 

Personal care workers provide essential daily, hands-on support to participants with limited independence due to disability. They can assist with personal hygiene such as but not limited to; showering, dressing, toileting, mobility, transfers, medication administration, and daily tasks to ensure comfort and safety.

Are you looking for fun and energetic experiences?

Would you like to be part of a big, vibrant community?

Do you want to interact with people but feel limited by lack of appropriate support?

If the answer is YES, then The Deaf Butterfly Effect can help you with NDIS social andcommunity participation in South Australia.

We encourage you to step out of your home, be a part of the community and try new things.

A range of experiences are available to suit various interests, and we can assist you every step of the way. Activities could include: art classes, fishing, festival outings, sailing, playing sports, swimming, plus much more.

What are the benefits of NDIS Innovative Community Participation?

Engaging with the community is a necessity for any human being. As social beings, we yearn for some sort of social interaction. While this is easily achieved by the general populace, people with disabilities may struggle to foster meaningful social interaction. The benefits of social inclusion are multifold and positive influence on the lives of our participants.

Active community participation helps:

• Enhance your mood and inspire a happy state of mind
• Concentration and mental drive
• Set goals or directions in life
• Promote creativity and imagination skills
• Provide a sense of belonging
• Build social skills, networks and support systems
• Find a purpose and opportunity to contribute to the community
• Improve adaptability under different conditions
• Ability to contribute as a member of the community

English (voice) to Auslan or written English 

There might be a video or a podcast or any other voice-based media that is in spoken English and you want to know what they are saying, our transcriber will translate them into written English or Auslan for you. We also can add captions onto the video for you if preferred. 

English (written) to Auslan 

You might receive a letter or any other paperwork that is hard to read and understand. Our translators can support you by reading your paperwork then explain to you in Auslan. You can ask questions for clarification. It is very important that you fully understand what your paperwork is saying because sometimes they are very important eg Centrelink, bank, Australian Taxation Office, insurance etc. We also can translate newspaper articles or other text-based information and translate it into Auslan for you. We can do this face to face or by video call, whichever you prefer. 

A monthly event for everyone who wants to learn, maintain and converse in Auslan in a casual and friendly environment. This is open to all ages. No voices allowed hence the name Voices Off!