Projects
Listen to this articleDeafblind Australia (DBA) is the national peak body for Deafblind people in Australia. Over the years we’ve delivered capacity building, training, advocacy and resource projects that make communities, services and workforces more inclusive and accessible for Deafblind people.
Community engagement
Community engagement and consultation informs everything we do.
National Deafblind Reference Group: An ongoing consultation body of Deafblind people that shapes DBA’s work and provides evidence for advocacy. Reference Group data has shown that 87% of members identify safety concerns and physical barriers as their greatest obstacles to participating in community life.
Ongoing organisational activities: National consultation, resource development, member forums and a regular newsletter keep Deafblind people, families and the sector connected and informed.
Policy and advocacy
DBA regularly engages in Commonwealth policy processes on behalf of the Deafblind community, including NDIS reform, Thriving Kids, and foundational supports, ensuring Deafblind voices shape the systems that affect them.
Policy, Reform and Systemic Advocacy Projects
DBA continues to contribute to national disability reform through policy submissions, consultation forums, reference groups and sector coalitions. This includes work connected to NDIS reform, foundational supports, disability representative organisation engagement, communication access, workforce capability and the recognition of deafblindness as a unique disability.
Please check our Advocacy page here for more information.
Sensory Partnership Australia
DBA is an active partner in this ongoing information, advice and referral consortium, working alongside Blind Citizens Australia, Deafness Forum Australia, Deaf Australia and Vision 2020 to connect people with the support they need.
National Information Program (NIP)
A major multi-state capacity building program delivered with DBA staff in every state, equipping communities and services around Australia with foundational understanding of Deafblindness. This ILC-funded work included a national community reference group, a Train the Trainer program, and a series of associated workshops and resources for the sector.
Drawing on the national Deafblind Reference Group, DBA co-designed practical resources, training and information created for real life, not just theory with topics including Mental Health, Self Advocacy, Technology, Train the Trainer, Communication and Deafblind Awareness. Please see all our resources on the Deafblind-Resources Hub page here.
Seen and Heard Project
How to Be Seen and Heard was a national digital inclusion and capacity-building project delivered through a collaboration between Deafblind Australia, the national peak body for people who are deafblind, and Deafblind West Australians, the Western Australian peak body.
The project supported people who are deafblind to build confidence, skills and independence in using digital communication tools. It recognised that many people who are deafblind learn best through face-to-face training, practical demonstrations and accessible, tailored support.
NDIS ILC Readiness Project
The NDIS ILC Readiness Project was Deafblind Australia’s first national project, delivered in 2017 with support from AFDO. The project helped DBA strengthen its governance, independence and national role, while engaging deafblind people through focus groups to better understand their communication needs, priorities and aspirations under the NDIS and Information, Linkages and Capacity Building framework.
Research, Evidence and Sector Development Projects
National Information Program Research and PhD Report
DBA’s National Information Program helped build a stronger national evidence base about the information, communication and support needs of people who are deafblind. The project informed practical resources, referral pathways and sector knowledge, and contributed to PhD-level research exploring the impact, learning and national value of deafblind-led information and capacity-building work.
Deafblind Employment Evidence Synthesis
DBA is contributing to research with the Centre for Inclusive Employment and Swinburne University on what works for people who are deafblind in seeking, obtaining and retaining employment. This evidence synthesis brings together research, lived experience and sector knowledge to better understand barriers, enablers and practical supports for deafblind people in employment. The work will help inform future resources for employment consultants, services, employers and people who are deafblind.
National Disability Data Asset Engagement
DBA has contributed to national disability data discussions to improve how deafblindness is recognised, recorded and understood in Australian disability data systems. This work supports better visibility of people who are deafblind and helps strengthen future policy, planning, service design and advocacy.
Research Partnerships and Lived Experience Advisory
DBA continues to partner with researchers, universities, government agencies and disability organisations to ensure deafblind people are included in research, policy development and service design. Through lived experience advice, consultation and co-design, DBA helps ensure research is accessible, respectful and grounded in the real needs and aspirations of people who are deafblind.
Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) Auslan Translation Guidelines Project
DBA contributed Deafblind perspectives to the ACCAN-funded Auslan Translation Guidelines project led by Deaf Australia. The project reviewed and updated national guidance for Auslan translation, including the needs of low vision Deafblind Auslan users and the growing use of Auslan-first video content.
Auslan translation guidelines
DBA contributed to Deaf Australia’s updated Auslan translation guidelines, helping ensure Auslan content is accessible to Deafblind Auslan users.
Deafblind Information Australia
Deafblind Information Australia is an online resource designed to provide evidence-based information about deafblindness. This is a national collaboration between two disability service providers (Able Australia and SensesWA) and Deafblind Australia.