The 2025 South Queensland Big Camp is marking the International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) with a strong focus on accessibility for Deaf and hard of hearing attendees.
IWDP, held globally from September 22 to 28, promotes awareness of Deaf culture, sign language rights and the challenges faced by the Deaf community.
At Big Camp this week, Adventist Media’s Christian Vision and Hearing Services (CVHS) has coordinated a range of accessibility initiatives, including:
- Auslan translation for both Sabbath programs in the Big Tent, with three Deaf individuals attending on September 20 and one also participating in an Intermediate Auslan workshop yesterday.
- An assistive listening system called ListenWIFI, enabling the hard of hearing to connect via Wi-Fi during Big Tent programs.
- Daily Auslan workshops, run Monday to Wednesday by Just Auslan with a Deaf interpreter. Each day features a Beginners class (2:30–3:30pm) and an Intermediate class (3:45–4:45pm). Sixteen campers joined the first Beginners workshop yesterday, learning the Auslan alphabet, signing their names and practising basic words such as “yes” and “thank you”.
- A CVHS booth, available throughout camp, offering resources and advice for individuals and churches seeking to make their worship services and materials more accessible.
CVHS coordinator Cassie Etwell said the initiatives reflect the organisation’s commitment to breaking down barriers.
“This week, we stand together with the Deaf community and celebrate their beautiful culture and the wonderful people who make up this people group,” she said.
“At South Queensland camp, we have had a strong focus on Deaf and hard of hearing accessibility and education, through Auslan interpretation of the Sabbath programs in the Big Tent, assistive listening in the Big Tent for all programs, and Auslan workshops running Monday through Wednesday. These workshops have been very insightful and impactful for those in attendance, who will now have skills to implement into their disciple making.”
Ms Etwell emphasised the importance of intentional ministry to the Deaf community, noting that less than 2 per cent of the world’s 70 million Deaf people have ever experienced the gospel of Jesus Christ.
CVHS, the South Pacific Division’s ministry to the Deaf, provides interpreting services, captions Hope Sabbath School and partners with groups such as SDA Deaf Church Down Under. More information is available at the CVHS website, and donations to support the ministry can be made via this link.
