HISTORY

In early times, most deaf people were treated poorly, they were believed to lack intelligence. It was thought deaf people could not learn, a son of King Croesus of Lydia was said to have been denied his inheritance because he was deaf. (W.N. Comstock., 2015)

During the early Western history, people, including children with disabilities were institutionalized. They would be shut in rooms with no care and no education. Some however were raised by their families and in some cases they learned to communicate through the use of signs. (W.N. Comstock., 2015)

Deaf Australia was founded in 1986 by a group of Deaf people. They agreed that they could achieve more as a cohesive group in exclusion from organisations primarily run by hearing people. This began the first modern day national Deaf organisation in Australia. (Deaf Australia Inc, 2013)

In 1903, the Australasian Deaf and Dumb Association (ADDA) was founded. It only drew in crowds of approx 200 people and as such overtime its role weakened. It remained only active in Victoria untill it ceased in the 1920's. (Deaf Australia Inc, 2013)

'In 1932, the Australian Association for the Advancement of the Deaf (AAAD) was founded. AAAD claimed to be the “only free and independent national Association for the Deaf in Australia”. Their motto at this time was: “The AAAD is of the Deaf, by the Deaf, for the Deaf.” This organisation collapsed in the 1930's.' (Deaf Australia Inc, 2013)

Until the establishment of AAD in 1986, there was no organisation for deaf people.

The Deaf people in Australia at this time were beginning to accept that they were a group entitled to their own identity because of their unique language and culture. The Australian Federation of Deaf Societies provided a small grant to Deaf Australia. This helps with travel to establish board meetings etc. No further funding was provided. (Deaf Australia Inc, 2013)

"Over the years, the membership of Deaf Australia has grown and Deaf Australia’s financial position has improved. The Deaf Australia Board now meets several times a year." (Deaf Australia Inc, 2013)