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Media ArticleNational Week of Deaf People – Deaf people celebrate!Media Release - 13 October 2006Deaf people are celebrating! Saturday 14 th October to Friday 20 th October 2006 is National Week of Deaf People and all around the nation people who are Deaf will come together to celebrate their unique community, language and culture. The Week’s theme, "Celebrating the Deaf Australian Community", is in line with the UN international year of community. "Deaf people really do know how to celebrate their lives," said Australian Association of the Deaf (AAD) President Mr Kyle Miers. Most people are not familiar with "real" Deaf people. Most people believe them to be unfortunate, lonely, sad, longing for technology to "fix" them and make them hear. But the reality is very different. The Deaf community is a vibrant and active community of people who share a common language, Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and culture. National Week of Deaf People is Deaf people's opportunity to "showcase" the community, language and culture that they are so proud of. The week will kick off with a national launch at the Brisbane Broncos Leagues Club at 6.30pm on Saturday 14 th October. Mr Andrew Laming MP, Federal Member for Bowman, will officially launch the week. Mr Laming will also present two special awards: the Deaf Australian of the Year Award, which recognises significant contributions to the community by a Deaf person; and the Fair Go Award which is presented to an organisation that has made exceptional efforts to give Deaf people a fair go. "At a time when people’s sense of community is less strong than it used to be, Deaf people are notable for their involvement in their community," AAD President Mr Kyle Miers said. "We want to recognise the contributions that Deaf people make to their community." "Out in the general community, Deaf people usually have to fight to get a fair go." Miers said. "So when organisations make an effort to give them a fair go without them having to keep fighting for it, we think this should be recognised and applauded," Miers said. Around Australia, State Associations/Councils of the Deaf have organised activities for National Week of Deaf People. Activities during the week include open days, arts and crafts shows, theatre performances, comedy nights, car rallies and bbq's, church services, community consultations, workshops and debates, free Auslan lessons, breakfasts, interpreted tours and information sessions, sport events, film screenings showing films made by and about Deaf people, and much more. See our events page for more information.
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