Published on: 8th November 2024
Have you ever had to sign a contract before?
✒️ Learn about your rights when you’re entering into an agreement with our video “Consent: Signing Contracts” available through the Auslan Resource Library.
Want more resources in Auslan?
Deaf Connect is pleased to the launch of the Auslan Resource Library.
We consulted with the community about what kinds of information you would like access to, and have started publishing videos on topics like finance, government systems, technology and more.
Visual description of the thumbnail:
Title reads “Auslan Information Resource Hub: Consent: Signing Contracts” and shows two people looking over a document on a clipboard. It includes a note “Produced by Deaf Connect” and the background is a light, abstract pattern.
Transcript:
[The video starts with a presenter wearing black clothing against a grey background. They appear on a split screen, with supplementary imagery appearing on the right side of the screen. The supplementary imagery cycles between stock images of legal documents, contracts, doctors offices and groups of people, all related to the topics being presented.]
When you sign a contract, you are giving your consent. Which means you accept and agree to the details in a document. In considering the details you have the right in making a decision to either accept or not accept. It is completely your decision. You need to make sure you understand everything before accepting and providing your consent.
You should check that your personal details are correct – like your name, contact details, residential address, banking details. You should thoroughly check and understand in an agreement. What are the obligations of the other party? What are the obligations of you? Make sure you read and understand the terms around cancellation of a contract, paying attention to any fees that may be payable.
If you are unsure when considering the details in a document, you can stop the process and first speak with your family, friends, or support service to make sure you fully understand the contents before signing and giving your consent.
For any medical related activities, make sure you fully understand what will be happening to you. If you are uncomfortable when reading any of this information you can ask for more information before proceeding to sign. It is your life and your money. Make sure you are fully informed before agreeing and giving your consent.
[The video now changes to a scenario. There are two people standing and discussing a contract. Person 1 on the left is wearing a red shirt, and was the presenter from the previous part of the video. Person 2 stands on the right holding a clipboard and is wearing a blue shirt.]
[2] Oh what do you think?
[1] It’s a brilliant gym, I love it.
[2] Yeah, you should join up too.
[1] So how much is the membership?
[2] Well, they just told me, it’s $30 a week taken out.
[1] Was there mention of a contract period?
[2] Umm, I didn’t read that part.
[1] it is worth checking that out, some gyms have a fixed contract period so you pay for a fixed period of time. What does it say? 6 months. There is also a fee payable if you quit going to the gym and break the contract before the 6 months. Let’s see how much that is.
[2] Whoa, $250. I completely overlooked that.
[1] Do you accept the contract?
[2] Definitely not, I need to go back and fix this up. Thanks.
[Person 2 walks off screen and Person 1 looks and signs directly at the camera.]
[1] It is important you read and understand the details before signing anything. If at any point you are unsure or don’t understand the information before you, that is okay. You can ask a friend or family member or support service to explain the details to you in Auslan and then feel more confident in your understanding to sign and give your consent. Remember it is important to first read and understand the information, before signing.
