Published on: 22nd September 2025
Deaf Connect invites Australians to celebrate National Week of Deaf People 2025, from Monday 22 September to Sunday 28 September.
To mark this important week, we are proud to release a landmark report titled ‘Deaf Space,’ and will be hosting 16 ‘Deaf Space’ events across every state and territory.
By creating Deaf Spaces in both metropolitan and regional areas, we invite everyone to celebrate National Week of Deaf People with their local Deaf community and learn more about Deaf culture and Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
Deaf Connect CEO Brett Casey stated that Deaf Connect is proud to celebrate National Week of Deaf People 2025, with the Deaf Space report honouring this year’s theme set by Deaf Australia: ‘No Human Rights without Sign Language Rights.’
“This National Week of Deaf People, we’re excited to bring our community together through a series of events across the country. These gatherings give Deaf people, allies, and the wider public the chance connect in an inclusive Deaf Space,” Mr Casey said.
“The Deaf Space Report examines the lived experiences of Deaf Australians across a wide range of social, religious, economic, and cultural contexts. It is the first of its kind to document the spaces that Deaf people in Australia have created over time, including Deaf First Nations, Deaf LGBTQI+, Deafblind, Deaf Disabled and numerous other diverse groups. By showing how communities have formed around visual communication and Deaf identity, it offers practical guidance to ensure Deaf accessibility in all aspects of public life.
“National Week of Deaf People is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on what our public services, business and communities could be doing to contribute towards a more inclusive nation. Whether that’s ensuring your business is accessible to Deaf customers, designing buildings to be Deaf inclusive, or connecting with the Deaf community in a space where everyone belongs.”
Deaf Connect Project Manager and Deaf Space report author, Amanda Everitt, stated that National Week of Deaf People is a time to recognise the diversity of Deaf experiences across the nation – past, present and future.
“Deaf Space is more than just a physical environment. It is a sense of belonging that transcends time, space and person,” Ms Everitt said.
“Auslan is a human right, and creating spaces of belonging helps to uphold and protect this human right. These environments can be community events, local cafés that employ Deaf staff and use Auslan, or design features like visual alarms that help Deaf people navigate safely.
“Over the past year, Deaf community members across Australia shared what Deaf Space means to them. They generously contributed stories, histories, and dreams, helping to shape this report and show how Deaf Space can be built into everyday life.
“National Week of Deaf People is an invitation for the nation to celebrate Deaf Spaces and the people who create them. By joining in and raising awareness, we can work towards a future where every Australian, no matter their hearing status, can belong, and contribute meaningfully to our society.”
Deaf Connect’s Deaf Space events are occurring in:
Adelaide: Torrensville Bowling Club, Sunday 28 September at 2:00pm
Brisbane: Deaf Connect Office at MOBO, Friday 26 September at 10:00am
Cairns: Esplanade BBQ Osprey, Sunday 21 September at 11:00am
Canberra: National Gallery of Australia, Sunday 28 September at 12:00pm
Darwin: Darwin Bowls Club, Tuesday 23 September at 4:00pm
Gold Coast: Anglican Church Robina, Wednesday 17 September at 10:00am
Gosford: Gosford Regional Gallery, Saturday 11 October at 11:00am
Lismore: Silent Hand Café, Saturday 20 September at 1:00pm
Maryborough: Kathleen Costello Centre, Monday 29 September at 5:00pm
Melbourne: NGV (International Collections), Wednesday 24 September at 10:30am
Perth: Deaf Connect Office Community Room, Saturday 4 October at 10:30am
Sunshine Coast: Millwell Road Community Centre, Sunday 28 September at 10:30am
Sydney: Garden Shop, Royal Botanic Garden, Friday 26 September at 10:30am
Tasmania: Doctor Syntax Hotel, Thursday 25 September at 12:00pm
Townsville: Townsville Pizzeria Bar & Grill, Saturday 27 September at 11:00am
Wollongong: Deaf Connect Office Wollongong, Thursday 2 October at 1:30pm
To find out more about NWDP Deaf Space events in your local area, click here.
To read the Deaf Space report, click here.
ENDS
Media Opportunities:
For all media enquiries contact: Gabrielle Strosberg, Communications Officer: 0428 071 733 or [email protected]
Deaf Connect offers interpreting services for Auslan representation across all media.
Interviews and comment are available from Deaf Connect CEO, Brett Casey, and other community members upon request.
