Deaf consumers who use Auslan (Australian Sign Language) or English-like signing, usually work with hearing (Auslan/English) interpreters when they need to communicate with hearing clients and professionals. However, for a variety of social, cultural or medical reasons, some Deaf consumers have extra communication needs, for example:

• Deaf immigrants and refugees

• Deaf persons who have been socially isolated (i.e. those from rural and remote areas; people who are incarcerated or living in institutions)

• Deaf persons who are mentally ill, developmentally delayed, and/or educationally deprived

• A Deaf person who is not comfortable with hearing people or when issues of trust and culturally sensitivity are critical

• A Deaf person who is seriously ill, injured or dying (the Deaf person’s ability to produce signs clearly or use both arms when signing may be affected)

• Deaf children who have not been exposed to language or who may have had limited exposure to English and/or Auslan

• Deafblind consumers

• Deaf Indigenous sign dialects/contact sign language

• Deaf people with dementia

In these situations, qualified hearing interpreters may not have sufficient skills to ensure accurate communication occurs. A Deaf (Relay) Interpreter (DRI) is used when the Deaf consumer has particular communication needs that are not easily understood by a hearing (Auslan/English) interpreter alone.

For more information please see the brochures

Deaf (Relay) Interpreting Information Brochure

Deaf (Relay) Interpreting Guidelines

This information is an initiative of ASLIA Vic and developed in partnership with ASLIA.