Rebecca Adam, the chief executive of Expression Australia, has always faced the daunting reality of being unable to contact Triple Zero during emergencies due to her deafness. Her experiences are underscored by a frightening event when she was attacked, leaving her to rely solely on her instincts to escape. Adam shared this harrowing tale with A Current Affair through an interpreter, reflecting on the numerous instances throughout her life where she had to independently navigate emergency situations.
Adam’s childhood friend, Gavin Balharrie, who lost his hearing as an infant, has experienced similar challenges. While camping in Mallacoota, Victoria, he found himself in a fire threat but was unable to ascertain official instructions, relying instead on a video call to a friend for clarification while emergency personnel were present. This prompted both Adam and Balharrie to take action to assist others in their situation.
Determined to improve access to emergency services for deaf and hard-of-hearing Australians, they have played crucial roles in developing an innovative app. This application aims to connect users directly to Triple Zero while providing access to sign language interpreters via video call. Expression Australia is now advocating for the federal government to support funding for this pioneering app, estimating a national implementation cost of $4 million to ensure 24/7 interpreter availability.
Currently, the National Relay Service (NRS) offers some support but is limited to weekday hours and weekend mornings, compelling users to rely on text messages outside these times. Adam expressed her concerns about the inadequacy of the NRS for emergency situations, thus highlighting the pressing need for solutions tailored for urgent circumstances.
In a formal response, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland acknowledged the government’s commitment to providing accessible communication for all Australians, including those with hearing impairments. While the NRS operates around the clock and provides various services to support communication, it faces limitations, particularly in offering 24/7 video relay services due to a shortage of qualified interpreters.
While the government recognises the efforts of Expression Australia and respects their initiatives, it currently does not plan to provide funding for the new app. Instead, the focus will remain on enhancing the established NRS and its user accessibility. The government is actively working with community organisations to address these challenges more comprehensively.
As the Albanese Government establishes frameworks, such as the Communications Accessibility Consultative Committee, the ongoing dialogue with those affected by disabilities is pivotal to developing and improving essential services. By fostering collaboration with organisations like Expression Australia, there is hope for more inclusive and effective emergency communication solutions for all Australians in need.