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Vision 2020Deaf Australia has a vision of Australia as a more perfect and equal place; not only for Deaf people but also for all people Australia-wide.Deaf Australia's Vision 2020 is based on the Vision 2020 developed by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) for their work in the international Deaf community. Deaf Australia is the Australian Ordinary (voting) Member of the WFD. In 2020Deaf People have full human rights through recognised sign language (Australian Sign Language – or Auslan), through quality of education, and quality of life as well as through full access and self-determination in an equal world. Governments have incorporated and implemented human rights for all, including those who are linguistic minorities and those who are considered vulnerable. The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities is implemented in Australia, along with other UN Human Rights instruments. Technology has advanced significantly, creating more equal ‘playing fields’. Community and languageDeaf people have human rights, self-determination and political strength. Deaf people are actively involved in all areas of society as equal citizens. There are Deaf people in Parliaments, and in other high decision-making positions. All Deaf people have opportunity for a good social, cultural and family life. Auslan is respected and accepted as part of the diversity of the Australian community. Auslan in education, provision of services, social interactions and participation in society is taken for granted and guaranteed by legislation. Everybody has the opportunity for natural linguistic development, high quality education and life-long learning. Research and documentation of Auslan has significantly advanced, and legislation of the rights of people to use Auslan as their native language has been implemented. Deaf Education is of a High QualityAll deaf education is bi-lingual (Auslan/English) or multi-lingual (Auslan/English/other); and education for Deaf children and Deaf adults is equally important. Deaf people have full access to all higher education, including university and adult education. Schools that offer education for Deaf children are equal in all ways to schools for hearing children. Technological Advances Ensure AccessBecause of technological advances, ensuring full access to information, Deaf people can do and participate more. This means there is more employment equality and more opportunities for advancement. There are more deaf people in professional jobs e.g., teaching, medicine, psychology, etc. Deaf people have mastered the use of information and communication technology, and use this technology creatively to improve their quality of life. Access to information and ease of interaction is possible by visual communication, services supplied in Auslan, relay services and other technologies. The Internet and other information technology allow for communication in Auslan, between two or more individuals anywhere in Australia and the world. The general environment is good for Deaf people, with information that is visual and clear, thus guaranteeing full accessibility. Access and InterpretingLiving conditions are good for Deaf people and nothing hinders participation. Full participation is enabled because all Deaf people have full access to interpreting services, and interpreters are professionally trained and qualified. Government takes responsibility for financing training programs and interpreting costs. In crisis situations, information, help and advice in Auslan is secured, as well as the availability of Auslan interpreters. FamiliesPrograms are provided for families of Deaf children to ensure the home environment fosters and protects the needs of the Deaf child as regards communication, development and family interaction. The UN Programs for the Eradication of Poverty have improved the situation and living conditions of Deaf people and they have become equal with hearing families. Self-Determination and Empowerment are AssumedSelf-determination and empowerment are taken for granted. Partnerships with parents, teachers, doctors and other professionals are strong. All of these groups work together to ensure Deaf people have a good education, and that Deaf people are involved in the education of Deaf children, in policy making and in all decisions that affect them. Deaf people and their concerns are no longer grouped together with ‘generic’ disability groups and issues. Bio-ethicists have worked with Deaf people to ensure that they are accepted as they are, with no attempts to eradicate deafness or Auslan anywhere in Australia. Deaf people with special needs are included in all areas of life, and their needs are met in full. GoalsDeaf Australia's vision for 2020 is that Deaf people will have made significant advancements to equality and quality of life through
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