If you are 65 years or older and do not have an NDIS plan, The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s National Sign Language Program (NSLP) has expanded its services to include medical appointments, Starting July 1, 2024.
Interpreting for medical appointments has previously been provided by the National Auslan Booking System (NABS). However, starting from July 1, 2024, individuals aged 65 and above will be required to schedule interpreters through the NSLP.
What is NSLP?
The National Sign Language Program is dedicated to facilitating communication for elderly individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, or hard of hearing. The goal is to help them effectively engage with aged care services, participate in professional and social activities, and attend health and medical appointments that are eligible for a Medicare rebate starting from July 1, 2024.
Who it is for?
You are eligible to access the NSLP if you meet any of the following criteria:
- You are dead, deafblind, or hard of hearing.
- You are 65 years of age or older (50 years or older for First Nations people)
- You are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Your organisation is eligible to participate in the NSLP if you offer aged care services such as:
- care finders
- Regional Assessment Services
- Aged Care Assessment Teams
- Commonwealth Home Support Program
- Home Care Packages
- Residential aged care
- Other aged care services subsidized by the Australian Government
Services covered
Deaf Connect offers a wide range of services available seven days a week, including emergencies and after business hours when necessary. These services include:
- Face-to-face and video remote sign language interpreting
- Sign language services in Auslan, First Nations language, American Sign Language, Internation Sign Language, and Signed English
- Tactile signing and hand-over-hand signing for deafblind individuals
- Live captioning, available either onsite ore remotely.
Deaf Connect provides services 7 days a week, including emergencies and after business hours (if required). They include:
- face-to-face and video remote sign language interpreting
- sign language services include Auslan, First Nations languages, American Sign Language, International Sign Language, and Signed English
- tactile signing and hand-over-hand signing for deafblind people.
- live captioning either onsite or remotely.
Deaf Connect provides accessible communication solutions for individuals with hearing impairments, ensuring they can effectively community in any situation.
Accessing services
To ensure that an interpreter or stenographer (captioning) is available through Deaf Connect, it is recommended to Book services as soon as possible. This will help in accessing the necessary services promptly and efficiently.
For individual clients
As a client, you have the option to schedule your appointment by reaching out to Deaf Connect. There is no requirement for a booking code, but it is necessary to register with Deaf Connect if you have not already done so. Alternatively, you can request your service provider or assessment organisation to arrange for an interpreter or stenographer on your behalf.
For service providers
As a service provider, it is essential to register your organisation on the booking platform before reaching out to contacting Deaf Connect to schedule an appointment for the first time.
Upon registration, you will be provided with a unique booking code that must be used every time you request an interpreting or captioning service. This process ensures efficient communication and seamless coordination between your organisation and Deaf Connect.
Contact
Email: interpreting@deafconnect.org.au
Phone: 1300 773 803
SMS text only: 0476 857 251
Facetime: 0407 647 591
To learn more about the NSLP, please visit the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website. If you have any inquiries regarding this change, feel free to contact homesupportpolicy@health.gov.au