To mark National Week of Deaf People - 15 to 21 October - Ballarat Regional Library Service will host a number of activities, using the sign language of Auslan,

The National Week of Deaf People (NWDP) is a week-long national celebration of Deaf individuals and the Deaf Australian community.

City of Ballarat Portfolio Councillor for People and Communities Mark Harris it was an opportunity for the Deaf to celebrate their community, language, culture and history.

“It also helps to make the community aware of their local, state and national communities and recognise their achievements.”

To mark the awareness week Ballarat Deaf Social Club in conjunction with deafaccess Grampians will host a free introduction to Auslan workshop on Sunday 16 October between 1.30pm and 4pm.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn a range of Auslan signs including the alphabet and numbers, as a way of developing a general understanding of Deaf culture 

National Week of Deaf People will also see the Library Service hold story time in Auslan, where children will be read a story using both sign language and the spoken word.

Auslan Story Time with be held at the Ballarat Library on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October at 10am, and at the Wendouree Library on Thursday  20 October at 10.30am.

For more information and to book into the free Auslan workshop at the Ballarat Library contact the Ballarat Library on 5331 1211 as spaces are limited.