To learn more about people who are deaf, deafblind, vision impaired or hard of hearing
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2024) Health – Selected conditions (includes information about Ear Health & Hearing and Eye Health and Sight). Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/health/health-disability-status#Earhealthandhearing
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – Eye health and vision. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/eye-health-and-vision
My Aged Care – Caring for someone with hearing, vision and oral health difficulties. Available from: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/caring-someone-hearing-vision-oral-health-difficulties
Services and support available for people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – National Sign Language Program (NSLP). Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/nslp
Disability of Health, Disability and Ageing – Hearing Services Program. Available from:Hearing Services Program | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
My Aged Care – People who are deaf, Deafblind or hard of hearing, can access My Aged Care with a sign language interpreter from Deaf Connect
They can contact My Aged Care through the National Relay Service (online or by phone).
National Relay Service – Communication Access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. Available from:https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/phone/services-people-disability/accesshub/national-relay-service
The following services provide information, resources and support for people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing
- Deaf Connect – https://www.deafconnect.org.au
- Deaf Australia – https://deafaustralia.org.au/
- Deafness Forum Australia – https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/
Delivering safe and inclusive services for people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing
Deaf Australia (2022) Accessibility & Inclusion toolkit. Available from: https://deafaustralia.org.au/accessibility-inclusion-toolkit/
Deafness Forum Australia – Supporting Better Communication and Care. Available from: https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/resources/supporting-better-communication-care/
Deafness Forum Australia – Training resources for hearing assistance in aged care & hospitals. Available from: https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/resources/training-resources-in-hearing-assistance-in-aged-care-services-and-hospitals/
Dementia Centre (2020) Deafness & Dementia: Interpreting changes in behaviour (includes videos and booklets for staff and consumers). Available from: https://www.dementiacentre.com/resources/knowledge-hub/deafness
Services and support available for people who are blind or have low vision
My Aged Care – People who are visually impaired can access your support plan and other information through your My Aged Care Online Account which is accessed through myGov. Information in large print or braille can also be provided.
Vision Australia’s resource page includes guidance about support available to people with low vision. Further information is available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/helpful-resources. Key resources include:
- Family and Supporters resource guide. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/helpful-resources/carers/carers-our-partners-in-support/download-guide
- Find Services and Support (including specialist programs for older people). Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services
- What aged care services can do for you. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/helpful-resources/individuals/aged-care-services-benefits
The following organisations provide support to people who are vision impaired:
- Vision Australia: https://www.visionaustralia.org/
- Guide Dogs Australia: https://guidedogs.com.au/
- Blind Citizens Australia: https://www.bca.org.au/. Support for over 65s (Advocacy support for people who are blind or vision impaired to access aged care). Available from: https://www.bca.org.au/my-aged-care/
Delivering safe and inclusive services for people who are blind or have low vision
Subheading 5: Delivering safe and inclusive services for people who are blind or have low vision
Vision Australia has published a range of resources that provide practical advice and strategies to support people with low vision. These include:
- Communicating effectively. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/information/family-friends-carers/communicating-effectively
- Tips on communicating to patients with vision loss. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/healthcare-professionals/resources/articles/communication-tips-patients
- Caring for older adults with blindness or low vision. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/Caring%20for%20older%20adults%20with%20blindness%20or%20low%20vision.pdf
- The best assistive technology equipment for patients. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/healthcare-professionals/resources/articles/best-assistive-technology
- Where to start when you are supporting someone who is blind or has low vision. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/community/news/2025-04-22/not-sure-where-start-when-supporting-someone-vision-loss
- Supporting someone in vision loss. Available from: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/helpful-resources/carers/supporting-someone-in-vision-loss
Blind Citizens Australia’s policy webpage includes a range of resources and guidance to support providers develop and implement services that are inclusive for people who are blind and vision impaired (including advice for Health Services & Service Providers). Available from: https://www.bca.org.au/policy/#health
WE C Hope (2017) How to Communicate with People Who are Blind or Vision Impaired. Available from: https://wechope.org/resources/how-to-communicate-with-people-who-are-blind-or-vision-impaired-part-1/
Services and support available for people who are deafblind
Deafblind Australia – https://www.deafblind.org.au/
Deafblind Information Australia. https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au. Key resources include:
- About Deafblindness. Available from: https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/about-deafblindness/
- Identity. Available from: https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/about-deafblindness/identity/
- Deafblind communication. Available from: https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/living-with-deafblindness/deafblind-communication/
- Living with deafblindness. Available from: https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/living-with-deafblindness/
