Arabic version: تخفيضات التمويل تجبر خدمة أخبار Auslan90 على الإغلاق

Australia’s only daily news service delivered in Auslan will go off air next month as its federal government funding comes to an end. Auslan90, which covers the day’s top news stories presented in Auslan by Deaf journalists, has been a vital source of information for the Deaf community since its launch in 2024. According to ABC News, the service has produced more than 400 news bulletins covering significant global events.

The program, run by Deaf Connect, has reached more than 300,000 Australians through social media, delivering news in a format that is accessible to Deaf individuals. Chief Executive Brett Casey emphasized the importance of the service, stating that for many Deaf people, English is a second language, making Auslan the primary means of understanding news.

The last Auslan90 broadcast is scheduled for June 30, coinciding with the expiration of its federal government grant. Casey expressed concern that without this service, the Deaf community’s access to timely news would be “very limited”.

Eighty-two-year-old Marcia Girke-Boylen, a longtime viewer, shared her worries about the closure, stating that she relies on Auslan90 to fully grasp the news. She noted that English subtitles are often too fast to read, leaving her feeling disconnected from important world events. Girke-Boylen called for the news service to be extended to a full half-hour to better serve the community.

Despite the program’s significance, government funding for Auslan90 will not continue, as the current grant program is being phased out in favor of a new disability peer support initiative. Deaf Connect has requested ongoing funding for the news service in their submission to the federal budget, which is set to be announced soon. Casey questioned why Deaf individuals are not afforded the same access to news in their primary language as speakers of other languages.

The decision on future funding remains with the government, which has acknowledged the importance of accessible communication for the Deaf community. The closure of Auslan90 raises concerns about the ongoing accessibility of news for Deaf Australians.