Deafblindness is a lot more common than people might think. There are now 288,000 people in Australia who experience this condition and this number is expected to exceed one million by 2050. It’s a remarkable number and one that is estimated to be costing Australia $10 billion in hidden costs.

This year, Able Australia is celebrating its 50th birthday. Starting out in 1967 as a small parents support association for children born without sight or hearing, the organisation has since grown into a national not-for-profit organisation which supports more than 4000 people with multiple disabilities (including deafblindness) and those in need of social or community assistance. 

Every day, Able Australia supports people with deafblindness to remain socially connected to their local community and assist them to live life the way they choose. It’s a myth to believe the general community cannot communicate with deafblind people who can now communicate very effectively with others through mobile devices connected to a portable braille device.

However more support is needed. People with deafblindness have unique communication needs and require a great deal of one-to-one support to interact with the local community. Unfortunately many of these requirements are not covered by the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

This Deafblind Awareness Week, I encourage everyone to contemplate what life would be like without sight or sound and to consider making a donation to support our efforts to deliver a better life experience for the deafblind community.

To find out more call 1300 225 369 or visit www.ableaustralia.org.au.

Conservative voters you are the reason this country (one of the most economic stable countries 2008-9) is in a mess—economic slide.

You voted “no carbon tax Tony” into government. To find carbon emissions dropped 11 per cent under Gillard; whilst under the conservatives they ended up where they were before and much higher from a policy that paid and still does polluters to non-pollute and farmers to plant trees.

You were the ones who put your faith in Malcolm Turnbull to “turn things around”; only to find a “blank card”—a Prime Minister with a “ho-hum” attitude.  A disciple of Donald Trump, where climate change brings no more than a “raised eyebrow” and the authority of other portfolio responsibilities fast tracked to corporations as unqualified gifts from the Australian taxpayer; an invitation from cabinet to exploit at will. So I say to you all…Do not blame me. I had nothing to do with it.

The disrespectful actions of the Saudi soccer team during the one minute’s silence in memory of those killed in the latest terrorist act in Great Britain demands this critique.

Sport is an opportunity to bring together nations and different cultures, allowing for acceptance and understanding to be demonstrated and played out.

The actions of the Saudis has simply given strength to the opposing that complete isolation and the segregation of any form of Islamic culture from mainstream Australian culture is most warranted.

When appearing to disrespect the host country’s hospitality for whatever reason could be viewed as absolute ignorance and insult.

In these most difficult of times any display of disrespectful actions as described must be strongly condemned by the appropriate authorities.

The actions of these soldiers of Islam will not be easily forgotten nor should they be.