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Star News Group - Jodie signs - By Cassie Maher
JODIE Boyd says learning sign language was one of the most rewarding things she has ever done.
The new mother said while she had always had a general interest in Auslan (Australian Sign Language), it wasn’t until she was pregnant with daughter Bethany, who has normal hearing, that she decided to learn.
“I’d seen people signing to their babies for simple things like bottle, nappy or hungry and wanted to teach my baby basics so I could communicate with her and she could tell me what she needs or wants,” the Craigieburn resident said.
After completing the course Mrs Boyd joined non-profit organisation Vicdeaf as an Auslan enrolments co-ordinator.
Vicdeaf will begin Community Auslan Classes in Craigieburn for the first time this month, in an effort to encourage residents to learn to communicate with deaf people.
Marc Curtis, manager of Vicdeaf Auslan and Interpreting Services, said while not accredited, the course would help teach people the basics they need to interact with deaf people at work, home or socially.
“In the workplace it’s especially useful because when a hearing organisation hires a deaf person they can feel a bit alienated,” he said. “We’re trying to break down the barriers and make people not be culturally shocked by deaf people.”
Mr Curtis said there was no doubt Craigieburn residents would either know a deaf person or meet a deaf person in the future.
Mrs Boyd said she always received a great reaction from deaf people when she used sign language.
“They’re very happy to know people want to learn sign language and have made an effort to communicate with them.”
She said Auslan was relatively easy to pick up, depending on how much time was dedicated to practise.
“It’s a wonderful course. It opened up my eyes to a whole new language.”
Community Auslan level one classes will run Thursday nights from 26 July to 30 August at Craigieburn Leisure Centre.
Phone 9473 1135 for more details.
JODIE Boyd says learning sign language was one of the most rewarding things she has ever done.
The new mother said while she had always had a general interest in Auslan (Australian Sign Language), it wasn’t until she was pregnant with daughter Bethany, who has normal hearing, that she decided to learn.
“I’d seen people signing to their babies for simple things like bottle, nappy or hungry and wanted to teach my baby basics so I could communicate with her and she could tell me what she needs or wants,” the Craigieburn resident said.
After completing the course Mrs Boyd joined non-profit organisation Vicdeaf as an Auslan enrolments co-ordinator.
Vicdeaf will begin Community Auslan Classes in Craigieburn for the first time this month, in an effort to encourage residents to learn to communicate with deaf people.
Marc Curtis, manager of Vicdeaf Auslan and Interpreting Services, said while not accredited, the course would help teach people the basics they need to interact with deaf people at work, home or socially.
“In the workplace it’s especially useful because when a hearing organisation hires a deaf person they can feel a bit alienated,” he said. “We’re trying to break down the barriers and make people not be culturally shocked by deaf people.”
Mr Curtis said there was no doubt Craigieburn residents would either know a deaf person or meet a deaf person in the future.
Mrs Boyd said she always received a great reaction from deaf people when she used sign language.
“They’re very happy to know people want to learn sign language and have made an effort to communicate with them.”
She said Auslan was relatively easy to pick up, depending on how much time was dedicated to practise.
“It’s a wonderful course. It opened up my eyes to a whole new language.”
Community Auslan level one classes will run Thursday nights from 26 July to 30 August at Craigieburn Leisure Centre.
Phone 9473 1135 for more details.
