Head office: Suite 46/5 Aberdeen Street EAST PERTH 6004 … · Suite 46/5 Aberdeen Street EAST PERTH 6004 PO Box 8558, PERTH BC WA 6849 P: ... Tory Strong resigned from the board

ANNUAL REPORT

2017

Head office:Suite 46/5 Aberdeen Street EAST PERTH 6004PO Box 8558, PERTH BC WA 6849P: (08) 9441 2677 F: (08) 99441 2616 TTY: (08) 9441 [email protected]

Honorary Life MembershipsHonorary Life Memberships are reserved for individuals who selflessly give their time and energy to others without any expectation of reward. Only 27 individuals have received this award since the Society was founded in 1921.

Current Life Members: New Life Members:Mr Neville Aitken Mr Murray NicholsonMr James Douglas Mrs Robyn TsapaziMs Carole Noonan Dr Karen BontempoMr John LevitzkeMs Leanne Potter

Richard Gray resigned from the board in February 2016

Gerry Rayner was nominated and appointed to Deputy Chairperson in February 2016

Tory Strong resigned from the board in February 2016

Millie Richmond-Scott was invited to the Board in May 2016

Vanessa Alford was invited to the Board in June 2016

Director's Meeting AttendanceBoard Member Meetings Attended Eligible to Attend

Annette Perrin – Chairperson 7 7

Gerry Rayner – Deputy Chairperson 6 7

Kathleen Bozanic – Treasurer 6 6

Murray Holloway Member 6 7

Murray Nicholson - Member 6 7

Geoffrey Smith - Member 5 7

Millie Richmond-Scott- Member 2 3

Clint Ford- Member 6 6

Richard Gray - Member 4 4

Tory Strong – Member 1 3

Vanessa Alford 1 1

3


Current Life Members:Mr Neville Aitken

Mr James Douglas

Ms Carole Noonan

Mr John Levitzke

Ms Leanne Potter

Mr Murray Nicholson

Mrs Robyn Tsapazi

Dr Karen Bontempo

Directors Meeting Attendances

Board Member Meetings Attended Eligible to Attend

Annette Perrin - Chairperson 4 6

Gerry Rayner - Depty Chairperson 6 6

Kathleen Bozanic - Treasurer 6 6

Murray Nicholson - Director 5 6

Murray Holloway - Director 5 6

Vanessa Alford - Director 5 6

Clint Ford - Director 5 6

Millie Richmond-Scott - Director 4 6

Geoffrey Smith - Director 4 6

Last year the following Board Members were re-elected to the Board in accordance with the constitution:Geoff Smith, Gerry Raynor, Annette Perrin



Mr James Douglas

Ms Carole Noonan

Mr John Levitzke

Ms Leanne Potter

Mr Murray Nicholson

Mrs Robyn Tsapazi

Dr Karen Bontempo










Millie Richmond-Scott Director 4 6



PurposeThe Western Australian Deaf Society exists so that people who are Deaf and hard of hearing experience full citizenship and enjoyment of life.

ValuesCollaboration Through partnership we will embrace diverse opinionsAccountability We will listen, reflect and respond to our stakeholdersRespect We value our history and the culture of the Deaf CommunityCourage We stand up for the rights of individuals and our diverse community

Direct Service ProvisionMembers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community will receive support through direct service provision including access to State-wide:

i. Interpreting services

ii. Information, referral and advocacy services

iii. Employment support for eligible clients

iv. Community Housing support for eligible clients

Community Capacity BuildingWe will support the Western Australian community in order to enable them to better serve people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Priority areas will be:

i. Government service providers

ii. Community health and welfare services

iii. Advocacy services

iv. Local community organisations

SustainabilityWe will manage business affairs in a way that ensures a balance between present day needs and long term viability within the community, including

i. Attracting and retaining skilled staff and volunteers

ii Ensuring financial growth and security

Deaf Community SupportWe will provide support to Deaf community groups and organisations in the spirit of partnership and ensuring participation and quality of life for individuals. This will include the provision of:

i) Community meeting facilities

ii) Financial and practical support within available resources

iii) Support and promotion of Deaf culture and heritage.

CONTENTS

OverviewChairperson’s Report........................................................................................................................................................................................................4

Interim Chief Executive Officer’s Report ....................................................................................................................................................5

Services and ProgramsCommunity services..........................................................................................................................................................................................................6

Sign Language Communications WA...............................................................................................................................................................7

DEAFinite Employment Services .........................................................................................................................................................................8

Fundraising & Marketing...............................................................................................................................................................................................9

FinancialsFinancial Report................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................................................................................................11

2


Current Life Members: New Life Members:Mr Neville Aitken Mr Murray NicholsonMr James Douglas Mrs Robyn TsapaziMs Carole Noonan Dr Karen BontempoMr John LevitzkeMs Leanne Potter

Richard Gray resigned from the board in February 2016

Gerry Rayner was nominated and appointed to Deputy Chairperson in February 2016

Tory Strong resigned from the board in February 2016

Millie Richmond-Scott was invited to the Board in May 2016

Vanessa Alford was invited to the Board in June 2016

Director's Meeting AttendanceBoard Member Meetings Attended Eligible to Attend

Annette Perrin – Chairperson 7 7

Gerry Rayner – Deputy Chairperson 6 7

Kathleen Bozanic – Treasurer 6 6

Murray Holloway Member 6 7

Murray Nicholson - Member 6 7

Geoffrey Smith - Member 5 7

Millie Richmond-Scott- Member 2 3

Clint Ford- Member 6 6

Richard Gray - Member 4 4

Tory Strong – Member 1 3

Vanessa Alford 1 1

3



Mr James Douglas

Ms Carole Noonan

Mr John Levitzke

Ms Leanne Potter

Mr Murray Nicholson

Mrs Robyn Tsapazi

Dr Karen Bontempo










Millie Richmond-Scott - Director 4 6





Mr James Douglas

Ms Carole Noonan

Mr John Levitzke

Ms Leanne Potter

Mr Murray Nicholson

Mrs Robyn Tsapazi

Dr Karen Bontempo










Millie Richmond-Scott Director 4 6



PurposeThe Western Australian Deaf Society exists so that people who are Deaf and hard of hearing experience full citizenship and enjoyment of life.

ValuesCollaboration Through partnership we will embrace diverse opinionsAccountability We will listen, reflect and respond to our stakeholdersRespect We value our history and the culture of the Deaf CommunityCourage We stand up for the rights of individuals and our diverse community

Direct Service ProvisionMembers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community will receive support through direct service provision including access to State-wide:

i. Interpreting services

ii. Information, referral and advocacy services

iii. Employment support for eligible clients

iv. Community Housing support for eligible clients

Community Capacity BuildingWe will support the Western Australian community in order to enable them to better serve people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Priority areas will be:

i. Government service providers

ii. Community health and welfare services

iii. Advocacy services

iv. Local community organisations

SustainabilityWe will manage business affairs in a way that ensures a balance between present day needs and long term viability within the community, including

i. Attracting and retaining skilled staff and volunteers

ii Ensuring financial growth and security

Deaf Community SupportWe will provide support to Deaf community groups and organisations in the spirit of partnership and ensuring participation and quality of life for individuals. This will include the provision of:

i) Community meeting facilities

ii) Financial and practical support within available resources

iii) Support and promotion of Deaf culture and heritage.

CONTENTS

OverviewChairperson’s Report........................................................................................................................................................................................................4

Interim Chief Executive Officer’s Report ....................................................................................................................................................5

Services and ProgramsCommunity services..........................................................................................................................................................................................................6

Sign Language Communications WA...............................................................................................................................................................7

DEAFinite Employment Services .........................................................................................................................................................................8

Fundraising & Marketing...............................................................................................................................................................................................9

FinancialsFinancial Report................................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................................................................................................11

2

54

• The achievement of a solid, aspirational and focused strategic plan. This plan is unique because we have phased our growth so that foundations of listening to our customers are set before we move into stabilising the existing services that our customers and the community need, want and expect from us. Then we are well positioned to trailblaze into new areas as opportunities are afforded to us under the NDIS and by our ever increasing customer base. The plan is also unique because it is the result of several years of community, staff and stakeholder consultation by the board. We have been committed to developing a strong plan that will see us thrive into the future, instead of taking the approach of running a strategic planning workshop and then coming out with a glossy, yet uninspiring plan. I’m proud to see that our approach has given us broad and deep engagement with staff and customers alike. And I’ve had a lot of fun doing it too, which is equally important!

• Enhancing the Deaf leadership of the organisation, through two key appointments of Vanessa Alford to the board (June 2016) and Rebecca Adam as Interim CEO (August 2016). These highly competent, passionate, experienced individuals have enabled us to significantly lift our capability at all levels of leadership across WADS. This has meant that we are better understanding and meeting the needs of our Deaf and hard of hearing community. This is further enhanced by introducing our Deaf and hard of hearing advisory committee to get a broader representation of views fed directly to the board to improve our decision making and governance practices. With our permanent CEO, David Gibson, having lived experienced as a CODA, I’m confident that we will continue our upwards journey of great leadership.

• We achieved growth of 10.5% and our cash balance increased by $156,100.

• We increased net cashflow from our operating activities by over 40%.

• We achieved a profit after many years of losses. The last year that WADS reported a profit was in 2013.

• We invested for our long-term sustainability with a robust 5-year strategic planning roadmap for growth.

• We grew our NDIS business by over 100%. We had just one NDIS client at June 2016. Now we have in excess of 30 NDIS clients bringing in an excess of $80,000 a year in revenue.

• We secured a major contract to deliver information about the NDIS in Auslan from the WA Government in a highly competitive government tender process.

• We strengthened our partnerships with key organisations including Lottery West, The WA Electoral Commission, The Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Perth TAFE.

• We increased our base of volunteers and through their efforts, enhanced the look and feel of our Aberdeen St offices for the benefit of our customers and the wider deaf and hard of hearing community.

We are proud of these milestones. The WA Deaf Society staff outdid itself. Our Auslan department continues to be an agile player in the Auslan education space. Our community engagement and sign language interpreting teams worked very hard to retain and grow customer loyalty at a time when providers are faced with heavy competition in the NDIS market. Our fundraising team outperformed itself in not only accelerating our social-media reach but also in doubling its fundraising revenues. Last but not least, our employment services team continued to deliver strong results, month on month. All of this and more is due to the work and passion of our dedicated and committed Board of Directors, engaged and motivated staff and an extremely loyal band of volunteers.

Chairperson’s Report

• We are successfully shifting the focus of the organisation towards a long term, commercially viable organisation that can continue to operate as an independent service provider in the NDIS environment. While many other small organisations have not survived the shift to individualised funding, we are finding that our customer focused approach and early commitment to transformation has enabled us to maintain our place in the market as a niche provider of quality services. Our staff have played a critical role in adapting to the changes, and in many instances delivering above expectations in the way they embrace challenge in order to have even better outcomes for our customers.

• The ongoing support by our volunteers and community members. Again we had many people promote WADS through various community events. I’m inspired by the ongoing passion and dedication of many people and a ‘shout out’ for the HBF Run for a Reason team who again raised thousands of dollars to help us continue providing services to our customers. Special thanks to: Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Alexandra Ayton, Laura Bullock, Stacey Priddle, Phyan Chew, Tatiana Stringer, Samia Ahmed, Omar Quijano, Karlene Quijano, Melissa Haynes, Susanne Townrow, Michael Pittaway, Rebecca Can't, Lesley Osborne, Eva Murphy-Osborne, Josie Hodgetts, Elise Shaw, Brendon Graham, Steph Knox, Rod Knox, Danya Knox, Adam Knox, Monika Magalengo, Dennis Ong, Alexandra Madden, Rebecca Stott, Charlie Morton, Therese Fitzgerald, Mary-Rose Robertson, Monique Smith, and Julie Pelosi.

The coming years will certainly be transformative in many ways, and I look forward to having more fun working with the team to create a community where everyone has access to communication and participation!

Annette PerrinChairperson of the Board

The last year has been one of the strongest we have seen at the WA Deaf Society. There are many reasons for this, and some key ones are:

INTERIM CEO’s ReportIt can be hard to assess our progress of the last 12 months from where we sit. And yet, when you look back at the results, it becomes clear just how much we’ve achieved. Before I offer a broader perspective, let me describe how the WA Deaf Society performed in 2016-17. We made substantial progress in the last 12 months:

They are our greatest advantage and the most important reason for confidence in the WA Deaf Society’s prospects in the years ahead. This is why it is so encouraging to continue to see strong customer satisfaction for our key programs.But understanding the WA Deaf Society at the start of the new financial year requires a longer view - in particular, remembering why we embarked on this journey of transforming. We want to put deaf and hard of hearing people at the centre of all decision-making and happily, this has been driven by the NDIS and the desire to see more empowered deaf and hard of hearing people who are able to seamlessly navigate the terrain that makes up our society. We are convinced, for our customers and for our community and society, that together with this vision and aligning this with our work to become more customer-focused will usher in a new era for the WA Deaf Society. We didn’t wait. We started listening to our customers and understanding what they wanted from us. We set up a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Committee to better understand what our customers wanted from us. We redoubled our efforts to improve our core services while also investing to grow and create new ones. Examples include offering a Job Club for our job-seekers, delivering Play Skills in the Home in the early-learners space and delivering Auslan classes for those remotely-located in regional WA. We also started to pull down the silos that existed in the office to improve customer experience. We did this to build the integrated services at the WA Deaf Society that our customers would need for the new era.While our transformation continues, a strong foundation is now in place with a new CEO, David Gibson. I am so proud of the board, staff, our customers and the wider community who contributed to the strong strategic road map that is now in place for the next 5 years for the WA Deaf Society. I believe WADS’s brightest days are ahead of it. And I look forward to proudly positioning myself by the sidelines and watching you thrive and flourish.

Rebecca Adam. Interim CEO 2016- 2017

54

• The achievement of a solid, aspirational and focused strategic plan. This plan is unique because we have phased our growth so that foundations of listening to our customers are set before we move into stabilising the existing services that our customers and the community need, want and expect from us. Then we are well positioned to trailblaze into new areas as opportunities are afforded to us under the NDIS and by our ever increasing customer base. The plan is also unique because it is the result of several years of community, staff and stakeholder consultation by the board. We have been committed to developing a strong plan that will see us thrive into the future, instead of taking the approach of running a strategic planning workshop and then coming out with a glossy, yet uninspiring plan. I’m proud to see that our approach has given us broad and deep engagement with staff and customers alike. And I’ve had a lot of fun doing it too, which is equally important!

• Enhancing the Deaf leadership of the organisation, through two key appointments of Vanessa Alford to the board (June 2016) and Rebecca Adam as Interim CEO (August 2016). These highly competent, passionate, experienced individuals have enabled us to significantly lift our capability at all levels of leadership across WADS. This has meant that we are better understanding and meeting the needs of our Deaf and hard of hearing community. This is further enhanced by introducing our Deaf and hard of hearing advisory committee to get a broader representation of views fed directly to the board to improve our decision making and governance practices. With our permanent CEO, David Gibson, having lived experienced as a CODA, I’m confident that we will continue our upwards journey of great leadership.

• We achieved growth of 10.5% and our cash balance increased by $156,100.

• We increased net cashflow from our operating activities by over 40%.

• We achieved a profit after many years of losses. The last year that WADS reported a profit was in 2013.

• We invested for our long-term sustainability with a robust 5-year strategic planning roadmap for growth.

• We grew our NDIS business by over 100%. We had just one NDIS client at June 2016. Now we have in excess of 30 NDIS clients bringing in an excess of $80,000 a year in revenue.

• We secured a major contract to deliver information about the NDIS in Auslan from the WA Government in a highly competitive government tender process.

• We strengthened our partnerships with key organisations including Lottery West, The WA Electoral Commission, The Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Perth TAFE.

• We increased our base of volunteers and through their efforts, enhanced the look and feel of our Aberdeen St offices for the benefit of our customers and the wider deaf and hard of hearing community.

We are proud of these milestones. The WA Deaf Society staff outdid itself. Our Auslan department continues to be an agile player in the Auslan education space. Our community engagement and sign language interpreting teams worked very hard to retain and grow customer loyalty at a time when providers are faced with heavy competition in the NDIS market. Our fundraising team outperformed itself in not only accelerating our social-media reach but also in doubling its fundraising revenues. Last but not least, our employment services team continued to deliver strong results, month on month. All of this and more is due to the work and passion of our dedicated and committed Board of Directors, engaged and motivated staff and an extremely loyal band of volunteers.

Chairperson’s Report

• We are successfully shifting the focus of the organisation towards a long term, commercially viable organisation that can continue to operate as an independent service provider in the NDIS environment. While many other small organisations have not survived the shift to individualised funding, we are finding that our customer focused approach and early commitment to transformation has enabled us to maintain our place in the market as a niche provider of quality services. Our staff have played a critical role in adapting to the changes, and in many instances delivering above expectations in the way they embrace challenge in order to have even better outcomes for our customers.

• The ongoing support by our volunteers and community members. Again we had many people promote WADS through various community events. I’m inspired by the ongoing passion and dedication of many people and a ‘shout out’ for the HBF Run for a Reason team who again raised thousands of dollars to help us continue providing services to our customers. Special thanks to: Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Alexandra Ayton, Laura Bullock, Stacey Priddle, Phyan Chew, Tatiana Stringer, Samia Ahmed, Omar Quijano, Karlene Quijano, Melissa Haynes, Susanne Townrow, Michael Pittaway, Rebecca Can't, Lesley Osborne, Eva Murphy-Osborne, Josie Hodgetts, Elise Shaw, Brendon Graham, Steph Knox, Rod Knox, Danya Knox, Adam Knox, Monika Magalengo, Dennis Ong, Alexandra Madden, Rebecca Stott, Charlie Morton, Therese Fitzgerald, Mary-Rose Robertson, Monique Smith, and Julie Pelosi.

The coming years will certainly be transformative in many ways, and I look forward to having more fun working with the team to create a community where everyone has access to communication and participation!

Annette PerrinChairperson of the Board

The last year has been one of the strongest we have seen at the WA Deaf Society. There are many reasons for this, and some key ones are:

INTERIM CEO’s ReportIt can be hard to assess our progress of the last 12 months from where we sit. And yet, when you look back at the results, it becomes clear just how much we’ve achieved. Before I offer a broader perspective, let me describe how the WA Deaf Society performed in 2016-17. We made substantial progress in the last 12 months:

They are our greatest advantage and the most important reason for confidence in the WA Deaf Society’s prospects in the years ahead. This is why it is so encouraging to continue to see strong customer satisfaction for our key programs.But understanding the WA Deaf Society at the start of the new financial year requires a longer view - in particular, remembering why we embarked on this journey of transforming. We want to put deaf and hard of hearing people at the centre of all decision-making and happily, this has been driven by the NDIS and the desire to see more empowered deaf and hard of hearing people who are able to seamlessly navigate the terrain that makes up our society. We are convinced, for our customers and for our community and society, that together with this vision and aligning this with our work to become more customer-focused will usher in a new era for the WA Deaf Society. We didn’t wait. We started listening to our customers and understanding what they wanted from us. We set up a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Committee to better understand what our customers wanted from us. We redoubled our efforts to improve our core services while also investing to grow and create new ones. Examples include offering a Job Club for our job-seekers, delivering Play Skills in the Home in the early-learners space and delivering Auslan classes for those remotely-located in regional WA. We also started to pull down the silos that existed in the office to improve customer experience. We did this to build the integrated services at the WA Deaf Society that our customers would need for the new era.While our transformation continues, a strong foundation is now in place with a new CEO, David Gibson. I am so proud of the board, staff, our customers and the wider community who contributed to the strong strategic road map that is now in place for the next 5 years for the WA Deaf Society. I believe WADS’s brightest days are ahead of it. And I look forward to proudly positioning myself by the sidelines and watching you thrive and flourish.

Rebecca Adam. Interim CEO 2016- 2017

76

Highlights-- Awarded Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant funding to enable the WA

Deaf Society to support the Deaf community in its understanding of what the NDIS is about and how to develop individual plans.

- Completion of training for the National Emergency Management Project, coordinated by Vicdeaf, Melbourne

- Provision of Tax Help to eligible community members

- Provision of 37 hours of Deafness Awareness Training

- Continued partnership with Shenton College to deliver Auslan as a LOTE as part of the curriculum

- Seniors Week grant through COTA, Lotterywest and the Department of Local Government, to deliver a celebratory luncheon for eligible seniors with assistance from Central Institute of TAFE Auslan students and also to meet the new CEO, Rebecca Adam.

- LEAP (Language Early Access Program) was able to access some new equipment and toys through an anonymous donor.

- Successfully Registered with the Disability Services Commission (DSC) for the Disability Services Provider Panel (DSPP) to provide individually funded services from 2015 – 2022.

- Partnered with Northern Metropolitan TAFE in the establishment of a steering committee to look at the starting point of ‘deaf friendly’ TAFE courses, increasing deaf people’s opportunity to participate in appropriate training courses and entry into the workforce.

The Community Services team provides a wide range of information, referral, education andsupport services. The team of staff are appro-priately skilled and qualified to ensure that Deaf and hard of hearing people have full and equal participation in the decisions that affect their lives. The need for such a specialized service is essential as the majority of generic services are not always accessible due to the lack of understanding by the wider community of the linguistic and cultural needs of the Deaf community.

It is not only Deaf and hard of hearing accessing services offered by the Community Services team. Families, friends, colleagues, businesses, students, medical practitioners and public officers regularly contact the WA Deaf Society for information about providing better services for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

WA Deaf Society this year have been busy proactively adapting to the changes of how services are delivered to meet the requirements of the National Disability Insurance Scheme – NDIS (Australia Wide) and the WA NDIS which is

Highlights-• Over a hundred hours of After Hours Emergency Interpreting, delivered across 365 days of the

year for situations such as police and medical settings.

• Provision of 100 hours of unfunded interpreting for situations such as funerals and Weddings attended by a Deaf person.

• Auslan translation of the DFES ‘Are You Bushfire Ready’

• SLC WA representation at NEMP ensuring the Deaf Community benefit from trained live inter-pretations of high impact news and announcements.

• Provided Auslan Interpreters for the first time with the WA State Electorate Commission on Election Day across Perth Metro

• Auslan Translation of the WA State Electorate Commission’s iVote online system including greater access for the Deaf and HoH community

• Theatre interpreting across a broad spectrum of community and professional stages

Sign Language Communications WASLC WA provides a professional and innovative Auslan interpreting service in a range of settings throughout WA. SLC WA is the only interpreting service that invests all profits back into services that will benefit the Deaf commu-nity; for example through the provision of Auslan interpreters free of charge. SLC WA provides quality interpreting services in a variety of situations, such as medical appoint-ments, legal appointments, special events, functions and workplace meetings.

SLC WA is also an approved Auslan Interpreting and Translating Service provider for the Government of Western Australia. All Auslan interpreters registered with SLC WA are

Accredited by the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Deaf Interpreters are ‘Recognised’ by NAATI and all are required to maintain high professional standards such as abiding by ethical principles and participating in ongoing professional development.

Community Services Reportbased in WA only. Supporting the community to be informed and advised of how they need to adapt to access services under the scheme.

WA Deaf Society continues to be a registered provider with both NDIS and WA NDIS models. Roll out areas now include Augusta-Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Busselton, Donnybrook-Balingup, Manjimup, Nannup, Cockburn, Kwinana, Armadale, Murray and Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

WA Deaf Society provides services under the NDIS/WA NDIS models which include Auslan for Families, Assistive Technology, Coordination of Supports, Auslan Interpreting/translation and Support/Communication support from experi-enced workers that have good understanding of the Deaf needs and culture.

Commonwealth funding administered under Developmental Disability WA has enabled a monthly Deaf Peer Support Group that was established to inform, connect and empower community members to navigate through the changing funded supports environment.

SLC WA has been extremely proactive working in collaboration with various government agen-cies to ensure information is readily available and accessible to the Deaf and hard of hearing community of WA and Australia. SLC WA worked closely with the Western Australian Electorate Commission in, for the first time, providing Auslan interpreters across several locations in the Perth Metro area on Election Day. The Commission, with SLC WA, also provided a translation on the iVote initiative ensuring the Deaf and hard of hearing commu-nity have accessible information. This year has again seen further increase in the number of Deaf people studying at university and tertiary institutions. SLC WA are committed to the provision of experienced interpreters ensuring full access and inclusion to education.

76

Highlights-- Awarded Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant funding to enable the WA

Deaf Society to support the Deaf community in its understanding of what the NDIS is about and how to develop individual plans.

- Completion of training for the National Emergency Management Project, coordinated by Vicdeaf, Melbourne

- Provision of Tax Help to eligible community members

- Provision of 37 hours of Deafness Awareness Training

- Continued partnership with Shenton College to deliver Auslan as a LOTE as part of the curriculum

- Seniors Week grant through COTA, Lotterywest and the Department of Local Government, to deliver a celebratory luncheon for eligible seniors with assistance from Central Institute of TAFE Auslan students and also to meet the new CEO, Rebecca Adam.

- LEAP (Language Early Access Program) was able to access some new equipment and toys through an anonymous donor.

- Successfully Registered with the Disability Services Commission (DSC) for the Disability Services Provider Panel (DSPP) to provide individually funded services from 2015 – 2022.

- Partnered with Northern Metropolitan TAFE in the establishment of a steering committee to look at the starting point of ‘deaf friendly’ TAFE courses, increasing deaf people’s opportunity to participate in appropriate training courses and entry into the workforce.

The Community Services team provides a wide range of information, referral, education andsupport services. The team of staff are appro-priately skilled and qualified to ensure that Deaf and hard of hearing people have full and equal participation in the decisions that affect their lives. The need for such a specialized service is essential as the majority of generic services are not always accessible due to the lack of understanding by the wider community of the linguistic and cultural needs of the Deaf community.

It is not only Deaf and hard of hearing accessing services offered by the Community Services team. Families, friends, colleagues, businesses, students, medical practitioners and public officers regularly contact the WA Deaf Society for information about providing better services for Deaf and hard of hearing people.

WA Deaf Society this year have been busy proactively adapting to the changes of how services are delivered to meet the requirements of the National Disability Insurance Scheme – NDIS (Australia Wide) and the WA NDIS which is









Sign Language Communications WASLC WA provides a professional and innovative Auslan interpreting service in a range of settings throughout WA. SLC WA is the only interpreting service that invests all profits back into services that will benefit the Deaf commu-nity; for example through the provision of Auslan interpreters free of charge. SLC WA provides quality interpreting services in a variety of situations, such as medical appoint-ments, legal appointments, special events, functions and workplace meetings.



Community Services Reportbased in WA only. Supporting the community to be informed and advised of how they need to adapt to access services under the scheme.

WA Deaf Society continues to be a registered provider with both NDIS and WA NDIS models. Roll out areas now include Augusta-Margaret River, Boyup Brook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Busselton, Donnybrook-Balingup, Manjimup, Nannup, Cockburn, Kwinana, Armadale, Murray and Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

WA Deaf Society provides services under the NDIS/WA NDIS models which include Auslan for Families, Assistive Technology, Coordination of Supports, Auslan Interpreting/translation and Support/Communication support from experi-enced workers that have good understanding of the Deaf needs and culture.

Commonwealth funding administered under Developmental Disability WA has enabled a monthly Deaf Peer Support Group that was established to inform, connect and empower community members to navigate through the changing funded supports environment.

SLC WA has been extremely proactive working in collaboration with various government agen-cies to ensure information is readily available and accessible to the Deaf and hard of hearing community of WA and Australia. SLC WA worked closely with the Western Australian Electorate Commission in, for the first time, providing Auslan interpreters across several locations in the Perth Metro area on Election Day. The Commission, with SLC WA, also provided a translation on the iVote initiative ensuring the Deaf and hard of hearing commu-nity have accessible information. This year has again seen further increase in the number of Deaf people studying at university and tertiary institutions. SLC WA are committed to the provision of experienced interpreters ensuring full access and inclusion to education.

98

Sign Language Communications WASLC WA provides a professional and innova-tive Auslan interpreting service in a range of settings throughout WA. SLC WA is the only interpreting service that invests all profits back into services that will benefit the Deaf community; for example through the provision of

Auslan interpreters free of charge. SLC WA provides quality interpreting services in a variety of situa-tions, such as medical appointments, legal appointments, special events, functions and workplace meetings.



SLC WA has been extremely proactive working in collaboration with various government agencies to ensure information is readily available and accessible to the Deaf and hard of hearing community of WA and Australia. SLC WA worked closely with the Western Australian Electorate Commission in, for the first time, providing Auslan interpreters across several locations in the Perth Metro area on Election Day. The Commission, with SLC WA, also provided a translation on the iVote initiative ensur-ing the Deaf and hard of hearing community have accessible information. This year has again seen further increase in the number of Deaf people studying at university and tertiary institutions. SLC WA are committed to the provision of experienced interpreters ensuring full access and inclusion to education.









Highlights-• Over 140 people have been supported by DEAFinite over the year; with some customers look-

ing for work, some needing assistance in their current job and others looking for a more voca-tional role.

• The Team continues to be made up of qualified Auslan interpreters who understand our customers and are able to offer professional advice and guidance with regards to overcoming the impact of hearing loss, deafness, culture and perception that can play out in the work-place.

• DEAFinite can assist with Pre-employment, Post Employment or ongoing support with your career.

• Customer feedback has been excellent in regards to the DEAFinite service- something we are very proud to maintain into the new financial year.

Once again it’s been an exciting and rewarding year in the employment sector!

The industry as we know it, is on the verge of its greatest ever change since Disability Employment Network became Disability Employment Services. Not only is the industry landscape changing but the DEAFinite team has also been through its own evolution; throughout these changes our staff have continued to achieve significant industry milestones meaning our customers have been able to access DEAFinite and have been empowered to create change in their lives through gaining well matched employment.

WADS Fundraising and Marketing department aims to ensure a regular income stream through fundraising activities and events. They also raise awareness of the Society’s programs, services, events and partnerships that that are of benefit and interest to all of our stakeholders.

WA Deaf Society relies greatly on fundraising activities and events to contribute to essential service provision. This year we have successfully built on the rapport that WADS has developed with our much valued key stakeholders and supporters of the Society. This is of great importance as we compete in a market of many worthy causes and organisations vying for financial support though generosity and ensures that WADS is present and visible in the current “giving” market.

This year we ran two very successful “Appeals” through July and December (2016) and started the first of what we hope will become our signature Christmas event(s) in the years to come!

We also got more interactive with Facebook and have begun to engage more fully our younger (under 50’s) audience; encouraging interaction with WADS and the Deaf Community, investment of time and resources and sharing of WADS services and information.

Highlights-- Doubled our fundraising revenue

- Started our Christmas signature campaign

- Increased our social media interaction and reach to well above average for a Not for Profit organisation

- Increased general awareness of WADS in the wider community

DEAFinite Employment Service

Given the changing market and industry landscape, employment services across the board are moving towards a more NDIS like model, with providers again facing contract renewal and open tendering processes. DEAFinite will remain focused on individual customers’ skills, needs and requirements continuing to support quality outcomes and maintain our edge over the the “one size fits all” practice of other providers.

Fundraising and Marketing

We also took the opportunity through social media to educate people in the wider community about Deaf Culture, common misconceptions, best practice, how beautiful Auslan is and what a great team we are at WADS!

In conjunction with the above, we have also continued our usual ongoing money box campaign, sales of merchandise, Entertainment Book, our online “Give Now” campaign and “Sign On” campaign. A huge thanks to our team of runners for the HBF Run for a Reason, who participated to assist in raising funds for the DCC.

WA Deaf Society would also like to acknowledge and show our appreciation for the kind and generous bequests given to WA Deaf Society by

Antonio PanaiaKathleen Roberts

Thank you.

98

Sign Language Communications WASLC WA provides a professional and innova-tive Auslan interpreting service in a range of settings throughout WA. SLC WA is the only interpreting service that invests all profits back into services that will benefit the Deaf community; for example through the provision of

Auslan interpreters free of charge. SLC WA provides quality interpreting services in a variety of situa-tions, such as medical appointments, legal appointments, special events, functions and workplace meetings.



SLC WA has been extremely proactive working in collaboration with various government agencies to ensure information is readily available and accessible to the Deaf and hard of hearing community of WA and Australia. SLC WA worked closely with the Western Australian Electorate Commission in, for the first time, providing Auslan interpreters across several locations in the Perth Metro area on Election Day. The Commission, with SLC WA, also provided a translation on the iVote initiative ensur-ing the Deaf and hard of hearing community have accessible information. This year has again seen further increase in the number of Deaf people studying at university and tertiary institutions. SLC WA are committed to the provision of experienced interpreters ensuring full access and inclusion to education.









Highlights-• Over 140 people have been supported by DEAFinite over the year; with some customers look-

ing for work, some needing assistance in their current job and others looking for a more voca-tional role.

• The Team continues to be made up of qualified Auslan interpreters who understand our customers and are able to offer professional advice and guidance with regards to overcoming the impact of hearing loss, deafness, culture and perception that can play out in the work-place.

• DEAFinite can assist with Pre-employment, Post Employment or ongoing support with your career.

• Customer feedback has been excellent in regards to the DEAFinite service- something we are very proud to maintain into the new financial year.

Once again it’s been an exciting and rewarding year in the employment sector!

The industry as we know it, is on the verge of its greatest ever change since Disability Employment Network became Disability Employment Services. Not only is the industry landscape changing but the DEAFinite team has also been through its own evolution; throughout these changes our staff have continued to achieve significant industry milestones meaning our customers have been able to access DEAFinite and have been empowered to create change in their lives through gaining well matched employment.

WADS Fundraising and Marketing department aims to ensure a regular income stream through fundraising activities and events. They also raise awareness of the Society’s programs, services, events and partnerships that that are of benefit and interest to all of our stakeholders.

WA Deaf Society relies greatly on fundraising activities and events to contribute to essential service provision. This year we have successfully built on the rapport that WADS has developed with our much valued key stakeholders and supporters of the Society. This is of great importance as we compete in a market of many worthy causes and organisations vying for financial support though generosity and ensures that WADS is present and visible in the current “giving” market.

This year we ran two very successful “Appeals” through July and December (2016) and started the first of what we hope will become our signature Christmas event(s) in the years to come!

We also got more interactive with Facebook and have begun to engage more fully our younger (under 50’s) audience; encouraging interaction with WADS and the Deaf Community, investment of time and resources and sharing of WADS services and information.

Highlights-- Doubled our fundraising revenue

- Started our Christmas signature campaign

- Increased our social media interaction and reach to well above average for a Not for Profit organisation

- Increased general awareness of WADS in the wider community

DEAFinite Employment Service

Given the changing market and industry landscape, employment services across the board are moving towards a more NDIS like model, with providers again facing contract renewal and open tendering processes. DEAFinite will remain focused on individual customers’ skills, needs and requirements continuing to support quality outcomes and maintain our edge over the the “one size fits all” practice of other providers.

Fundraising and Marketing

We also took the opportunity through social media to educate people in the wider community about Deaf Culture, common misconceptions, best practice, how beautiful Auslan is and what a great team we are at WADS!

In conjunction with the above, we have also continued our usual ongoing money box campaign, sales of merchandise, Entertainment Book, our online “Give Now” campaign and “Sign On” campaign. A huge thanks to our team of runners for the HBF Run for a Reason, who participated to assist in raising funds for the DCC.

WA Deaf Society would also like to acknowledge and show our appreciation for the kind and generous bequests given to WA Deaf Society by

Antonio PanaiaKathleen Roberts

Thank you.

1110

Acknowledgements

Thank You The WA Deaf Society would like to acknowledge the support of all the members, donors, corporate businesses and ‘In Kind’ supporters. Your contributions have helped us greatly, ensuring the continuation of services.

We extend our thank you to all the volunteers who donate their time and skills. As a result of your commitment, expenses are reduced, enabling us to put the funds raised into our vital programs and services.

Special thanks also go to Local, State and Federal Governments, Estates, Trusts and Foun-dations for their generous support throughout the year.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, members and staff, we acknowledge your contributions and truly value your continued support.

Thank you

10

Operating Result 2017 2016

Revenue $ 1,941,085 $ 1,740,359

Expenses $ 1,936,812 $ 1,917,515

Profit / (Loss) $ 4,273 $ (177,156)

Working Capital 2017 2016

Current Assets $ 727,236 $ 444,357

Current Liabilities $ 608,211 $ 418,986

Working Capital $ 119,025 $ 25,371

Rendering of Services

33%

Other income

19%

Investment income

4%Government Grants

44%

Source of Income 2017

Government Grants 44% $ 845,695

Rendering of Services 33% $ 639,952

Other income 19% $ 372,581

Investment income 4% $ 82,857

Total Income 1,941,085

1110

Acknowledgements

Thank You The WA Deaf Society would like to acknowledge the support of all the members, donors, corporate businesses and ‘In Kind’ supporters. Your contributions have helped us greatly, ensuring the continuation of services.

We extend our thank you to all the volunteers who donate their time and skills. As a result of your commitment, expenses are reduced, enabling us to put the funds raised into our vital programs and services.

Special thanks also go to Local, State and Federal Governments, Estates, Trusts and Foun-dations for their generous support throughout the year.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, members and staff, we acknowledge your contributions and truly value your continued support.

Thank you

10

Operating Result 2017 2016

Revenue $ 1,941,085 $ 1,740,359

Expenses $ 1,936,812 $ 1,917,515

Profit / (Loss) $ 4,273 $ (177,156)

Working Capital 2017 2016

Current Assets $ 727,236 $ 444,357

Current Liabilities $ 608,211 $ 418,986

Working Capital $ 119,025 $ 25,371

Rendering of Services

33%

Other income

19%

Investment income

4%Government Grants

44%

Source of Income 2017

Government Grants 44% $ 845,695

Rendering of Services 33% $ 639,952

Other income 19% $ 372,581

Investment income 4% $ 82,857

Total Income 1,941,085

ANNUAL REPORT

2017

Head office:Suite 46/5 Aberdeen Street EAST PERTH 6004PO Box 8558, PERTH BC WA 6849P: (08) 9441 2677 F: (08) 99441 2616 TTY: (08) 9441 [email protected]

Documents

Head office: Suite 46/5 Aberdeen Street EAST PERTH 6004 … · Suite 46/5 Aberdeen Street EAST PERTH 6004 PO Box 8558, PERTH BC WA 6849 P: ... Tory Strong resigned from the board