The Federal Government is launching a pilot news program – Auslan90 – for the Deaf community, delivered in partnership with Deaf Connect and SBS.
The Auslan90 pilot will include daily 90-second news summaries in Auslan as well as weekly ‘deep dive’ videos on certain news-related topics. It will be released daily at 1pm and provides the day’s top stories in a format designed specifically for Auslan users.
The Government has committed $3.91 million to develop the Auslan Information Resource Hub through to June 2025, which includes the Auslan90 pilot.
Why is Auslan90 needed?
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the pilot formed part of the National Information Program, which seeks to provide vital information to people with disability, their families and carers.
“Our Government is committed to creating a more inclusive and accessible Australia, and this Auslan90 pilot will help to meet the live information needs of the Deaf community, supporting their full participation in the community,” Rishworth explained.
NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said around 27,600 NDIS participants receive support for a hearing impairment.
“It’s important to have innovative activities, such as the Auslan90 pilot, undertaken as part of the National Information Program, to ensure people with profound hearing loss and their families can build their confidence and connect with their communities,” he said.
Creating media inclusivity
Deaf Connect CEO Brett Casey says Auslan90 represents a significant step toward media inclusivity for Deaf Australians.
“We are incredibly proud to launch Auslan90 – Australia’s first daily news service created specifically for the Deaf community. This is more than just delivering the news – it’s about an Auslan-first approach in which accessibility for Deaf Australians is not an afterthought,” he said.
“This agreement with SBS enables us to provide the high-quality, accurate news that all Australians expect, in a format that truly works for Deaf audiences. SBS’s dedication to accessibility, inclusion and multilingual content makes them the ideal partner for Auslan90.”
For more information about the ILC program, visit the Department of Social Services website.