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About DAS
Deaf Aboriginal Services is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated business established by Joanna Agius OAM, a profoundly Deaf Narungga woman. DAS provides a range of direct services, building capacity between Aboriginal and Non- Aboriginal people, services, and organisations. Also, DAS produces its own resources designed to promote Aboriginal culture and our services to the broader community.
Joanna had many years of personal and professional experience living and working with Deaf Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities and has developed a deep understanding of her community and cultural norms. Joanna identified many gaps in services and supports for Deaf Aboriginal people in her years of working. She wanted to develop the tools to build a cultural bridge for Deaf and Aboriginal communities.
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Joanna aims for DAS to facilitate liaison with and develop networks with other support services and mainstream services to obtain the best outcomes for organisations, communities, individuals, and families.
DAS has been very successful at building bridges between Aboriginal people and services and organisations run by non-Aboriginal people. A lot of work is yet to be done, and Joanna is determined to be at the front of this!
DAS has been very successful at building bridges between Aboriginal people and services and organisations run by non-Aboriginal people. A lot of work is yet to be done, and Joanna is determined to be at the front of this!
Profile: Joanna Agius OAM
Joanna Agius OAM is a profoundly Deaf and proud Narungga woman with connections to Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Wirungu nations in South Australia. Joanna is a strong advocate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Aboriginal people in Australia, starting as Aboriginal Liaison Officer in Adelaide.
In 2005, Joanna started teaching Auslan with the late-Barry Priori at South Australia Deaf Society. Joanna then moved to Sydney to teach Auslan and in addition, Joanna coordinated the 'Signing Art' program for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Aboriginal people. Joanna is now back in Adelaide, had obtained her TAE4 and teaches Auslan at TAFE SA. She is currently studying to achieve Diploma of VET (Vocational Education and Training). |
Over the years, Joanna provided ad-hoc advice and support to others wanting to learn more about Deaf Aboriginal people. So, Joanna decided to set up her own business, and in 2020 DAS was born!
In 2020, Joanna was awarded the Order Medal of Australia (OAM) for services to people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and to the Deaf Aboriginal community.
In 2020, Joanna was awarded the Order Medal of Australia (OAM) for services to people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and to the Deaf Aboriginal community.
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