Auslan: Now and Then

30/09/2026

To mark its 75th anniversary, the World Federation of the Deaf presents a 30-minute film, Human Rights Through Sign Languages: 75 Years of Deaf Advocacy, celebrating 75 years of history, leadership and advocacy for the human rights of deaf people.

From its founding in Rome in 1951 to its work today, the film takes viewers through key moments in WFD’s journey, highlighting the leadership, advocacy and collective efforts that have contributed to advancing the human rights of deaf people worldwide. It is also an opportunity to look ahead and reflect on the continued work needed to build a World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere.

To mark its 75th anniversary, the World Federation of the Deaf pres...

24/11/2025

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Jean Maley. She was an incredible role model and actual international model too! To find out more about Jean's amazing life, you can read/watch our banner here: https://history.waad.org.au/jean-maley

Send a message to learn more

13/04/2025

It's Auslan Day! Learn more about Auslan from our Auslan: Now and Then Banner, available in English and Auslan here:

Whilst the portmanteau “Auslan” was only coined in 1987, Australian Sign Language has existed in Australia and has evolved over more than 200 years, since the first ships from Britain arrived on our shores. Indigenous signed languages further pre-date Auslan, however, we do not know much about

12/04/2025

It's Auslan Day tomorrow! Check out these resources, handy for keeping the children busy and learning about Auslan during the holidays!

Quiz sheets - Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced These quizzes cover each sub-strand of the Understanding Strand of the Auslan LOTE curriculum (Systems of Language, Language Variation and Change, Language Awareness, and the Role of Languages and Culture) and can also be used to align with the

29/09/2024

On the last day of September, why not test how much you've learned? Check out the free quizzes we developed here:
https://history.waad.org.au/resources

Quiz sheets - Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced These quizzes cover each sub-strand of the Understanding Strand of the Auslan LOTE curriculum (Systems of Language, Language Variation and Change, Language Awareness, and the Role of Languages and Culture) and can also be used to align with the

28/09/2024

Today's theme is Investing in the Future of Deaf Communities. The Auslan Now and Then team developed an activity booklet for Deaf and hearing children to learn more about Auslan and the Deaf Community. You can get it for free here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1piOgazGw5PgC0JkcMEGHK8tWItUPTakC/view

27/09/2024

Today's theme is Deaf Cultural Celebrations, so let's learn some more about Deaf Culture here:
https://history.waad.org.au/deaf-culture

Where a community of people come together, they develop a language and a culture. In this way, language and culture are intertwined. This is also true of Deaf communities, all around the world, wherever there is a Deaf community, there is a signed language and Deaf culture. These differences in

26/09/2024

Today's theme is Diversity in Deaf Communities, so let's learn about Deafblind people here:
https://history.waad.org.au/deafblind

Deafblindness is a combination of sight and hearing loss that affects a person's ability to communicate, access information and get around. It's also sometimes called "dual sensory loss" or "multi sensory loss". A deafblind person won't usually be totally deaf and totally blind, but both senses

25/09/2024

Today's theme is Building Resilient Communities. One of the major elements that binds the Deaf Community in WA is Auslan, so let's learn about Auslan as a language here:
https://history.waad.org.au/auslan-as-a-language

Whilst the portmanteau “Auslan” was only coined in 1987, Australian Sign Language has existed in Australia and has evolved over more than 200 years, since the first ships from Britain arrived on our shores. Indigenous signed languages further pre-date Auslan, however, we do not know much about

24/09/2024

Today's theme is Sign Language Advocacy, so let's learn about Sign Language as a Human Right here: https://history.waad.org.au/sign-language-as-a-human-right

With sign languages, deaf people are equal