Deafblind Victoria

27/05/2026

A video from some of our events team staff Rodney Baskett and Jael Espinal:

Next month, June, will be Deafblind Awareness Month. We have some activities and events that will be happening throughout the month.
We have the window display going up at the front of Ross House during the first week of June.
Wednesday 17 June: At the State Parliament House steps from 11am to 1pm with yarn bombing. As well as a photo shoot with the state government MP.
Wednesday 24 June: DBAW Celebration Day from 11:30 to 4pm at Ross House level 4 with a Deafblind Art Exhibition next door in the Rainbow Room.
Thursday 25 June: Day on the Bay from 10:30 to 2pm at Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron with Deaf Chef Ross teaching mocktail making and Jasper teaching craft. Along with boat and vintage car rides.
Then on Sat 27th June will be DBAW family day with activies for family and friends, from 9am to 4pm again, this will be at Ross House. Hope to see you there!

Next month, June, will be Deafblind Awareness Month. We have some activities and events that will be happening throughout the month.We have the window displa...

21/05/2026

Celebrating Our Volunteers At DBV

We are so excited to be celebrating National Volunteer Week and recognising the wonderful volunteers who help make Deafblind Victoria a welcoming and supportive community.

Volunteers have always been an important part of DBV. They support events and activities, assist in the office, and help with guiding and communication. Many volunteers come to DBV to learn too — developing skills in Auslan, Braille and Deafblind communication while building friendships and learning alongside the Deafblind community.

Below, Rodney welcomes people to volunteer at DBV, followed by volunteers sharing their experiences and what they have learned through their time at DBV. Their stories highlight the welcoming community, the many opportunities to learn, and the difference volunteering can make for both volunteers and the Deafblind community.

Volunteering can also open doors to future opportunities. Many of our volunteers have gone on to find work in the Deafblind sector, including roles at DBV and work as commguides and interpreters.

We are always happy to welcome new volunteers. If you are learning Auslan or have Auslan skills and would like to learn more about Deafblind communication and support, we would love to hear from you.

If you are interested in volunteering or getting involved at DBV, please contact us through our website to learn more: Contact Page

A big thank you to all our past and present volunteers. Your support means so much to the DBV community.

Volunteer videos and transcripts can be found below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlJ_0DSkaSU&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fdeafblindvictoria.com%2F

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7G7zuhUvbM

youtube.com/watch?v=GWgZmtve7o4&source_ve_path=OTY3MTQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fdeafblindvictoria.com%2F

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bapwOHX1p4c?source_ve_path=NzY3NTg&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fdeafblindvictoria.com%2F

As part of National Volunteer Week, Julia shares her experience volunteering at Deafblind Victoria and what she has learned from the Deafblind community over...

14/05/2026

Special announcement:
Deafblind – Safer Access For Everyone (DB-SAFE) Mobility Workshops
You’re invited to a series of four interactive workshops at Deafblind Victoria focused on safe mobility and access.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist Clare O’Sullivan will lead 4 different workshops. Lunch and interpreters will be provided!
Dates and times:
• Thursday 21 May | 11:00am – 12:30pm
Safe Moving – What Deafblind people and communication guides say
• Thursday 21 May | 1:15pm – 3:00pm
Safe Moving – Who can assist? How can they assist?
• Tuesday 26 May | 11:00am – 12:30pm
Safe Moving – What can you do?
• Tuesday 26 May | 1:15pm – 3:00pm
Safe Moving – Fixing neighbourhood and community
Please RSVP by 18th May. Send email to
[email protected]

14/05/2026

New member Paul Tatt shares about joining DBV.
My name’s Paul. I live in country western Victoria and I’m one of the newest members of Deafblind Victoria.

I first learned about the organisation from one of the O&Ms at Vision Australia. Thank you very much! I’ve loved being there ever since.

So, if you’re looking for somewhere for yourself or someone you know, they’ve got plenty of activities.

They do Braille and signing lessons, just to name a couple. There’s stacks to do, stacks to see, and absolutely great people to meet there.

So please come along, say hello, feel it out – and maybe join in.

Thanks very much. Bye!

Video transcript:Good day everybody, My name’s Paul. I live in country western Victoria and I’m one of the newest members of Deafblind Victoria. I first lear...

06/05/2026

This month the Recreation Program was an outing with a picnic and the people involved took a walk over to the Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda (in the park opposite the National Gallery of Victoria) and enjoyed the beautiful Autumn weather. It really was a beautiful and relaxing day for all involved.
Thanks Robert Lokmer for the great photos

06/05/2026

Cafe with Deafblind Camp stories
Cafe this month was a slow and relaxed event with no formal presenters and just a great old fashioned catch up. The Dearblind Victoria members really enjoyed the time to just chat and be together and reflect on the big week that went by where a lot of DBV members went to Able Australia Deafblind camp. It was a great reminder of how good it is to have a relaxed and informal DBV cafe where everyone just has a chance to catch up and chat.

06/05/2026

Yesterday the 29th of April, Paul and Jael from DBV joined in on the International Guide Dogs Day walk that started at Federation Square and trundled on down the river through Melbourne. The walk was organised by Seeing Eye Dogs Australia. Here are some photos and video from the morning.

22/04/2026

To highlight the ways deafblind staff utilise technology in their everyday work at DBV, Jackie and Andrew discuss Jackie’s favourite tech:

Explore 12 magnifier with it’s adjustable colour settings and zoom function
A black and white, large print keyboard that connects to the computer through Bluetooth.
The Roger mic that connects to Jackie’s hearing aids and computer with Bluetooth.
Captions with Zoom meetings
Jackie’s phone magnifier.

transcript below:

Andrew: Hello, I’m Andrew Howard.

Jackie: Hi, my name is Jackie Sciberras.

Andrew: Today we’re talking about technology. Jackie will show us what tech she uses.

Jackie: I have this magnifier. I’ll show you how it works.

[Andrew and Jackie demonstrate how to use the Explore 12 magnifier, changing the colour settings and zooming in and out]

[Jackie holds up a keyboard]

Andrew: This large print keyboard connects to your computer via Bluetooth.

Jackie: I use this microphone that connects to my hearing aid via Bluetooth. I also use captions on my computer when I’m using Zoom. Now on my phone, I have this magnifier.

Andrew: It’s free! I have the same thing on my phone. You can change the color or scan, take a photo, and then you can read it and save it. How do you connect your microphone to your computer? Does it connect to both your hearing aids and computer via Bluetooth?

Jackie: Yes, that’s correct.

Andrew: Thank you so much. It’s been interesting to hear about the tech you use.

2 likes. "Tech Talk 22 - Jackie's favourite tech for work"

22/04/2026

Last week, the DBV craft group, led by Rachel Stock, came together to learn how to crochet granny squares in preparation for Deafblind Awareness Week in June. It was a great session, with everyone enjoying the chance to learn new skills and get creative.

The following day, Kathy Wise filmed a demonstration, sharing her crochet knowledge and showing how to create simple stitches and squares. Kathy has been crocheting for many years and enjoys helping others learn.

Kathy will lead next month’s craft group, making more yarn creations for Deafblind Awareness Week. Everyone is welcome to join and try crochet, knitting, pompom making, or other crafts—no experience needed.

The video and transcript is below, along with photos from the day.

Hello, I am Kathy Wise.

I’m here at DBV. I come here every week or every two weeks. I usually come to craft group, every second Wednesday of the month.

Yesterday, we had a fantastic day at the craft group, and everyone enjoyed learning how to crochet.

I’ll show you, for example, crochet squares like this. You can crochet different squares, scarves, blankets, or anything for Deafblind Awareness Week in June.

Everyone is welcome to come to the craft next month, on the second Wednesday of May. If you need help with crochet, I’ll be doing crochet too.

I’ve been crocheting for many, many years. I learned a long time ago. When I was in school I would crochet a lot.

I will show you how to crochet.

[Kathy demonstrates how to chain stitch and double crochet]

Everyone is welcome to come and learn to crochet, knit, make pompoms, or whatever.

1 like. "Learn Crochet with Kathy Wise | DBV Craft Group"

16/04/2026

Last Friday the 10th of April DBV ran the first walking group that is part of a series of walking groups funded by the Amplify Alliance Australia, Marsh Community Grant. This grant will support Deafblind Victoria to run the program, Healthy Eating and Mindful Movement in Nature.
Feedback from Deafblind members:
Gina: I really enjoyed the activity. I would have loved a longer walk, maybe for a few hours. I hope we can do some longer walks next time
Michael: I loved walking in the group, I enjoyed the walk and the tactile experience of the sculptures
Richard: I really loved the walk and hope we can do more, maybe once a month. If it doesn’t work because of the weather, maybe a social catch up.

Deafblind Victoria will have some more events related to this grant coming up. Like walks at the beach, some chair yoga and healthy eating talks. We will keep you all updated so you can come along to the next walking group