Introduction

The Australian Federation of Deaf Societies (AFDS) was established in 1966 to meet the needs of organisations providing services to the Australian Deaf Community. The most significant service provided by Deaf Societies across Australia are Auslan interpreting services, which have been provided on a professional basis for nearly 40 years.
 
Each state Deaf Society and territory interpreting agency is committed to ensuring that high quality and professional Auslan/English interpreting services are available to facilitate effective communication between deaf and hearing people.
 
Interpreting services have been provided in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote settings. Deaf Societies have also collaborated across state boundaries when interstate services have been required. As a collective, Deaf Societies have therefore served the whole of Australia, including the delivery of services to people in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
 
Commencing in 2008, AFDS members agreed to establish a national interpreting booking system (Sign Language Communications), to streamline the booking process system throughout Australia. This poses a significant benefit to clients, interpreters and deaf persons.
 
This manual is designed for the information of clients of SLC members’ interpreting service(s). This document is a dynamic policy and is updated regularly. The latest version is available from AFDS or your state Deaf Society at all times.
 
Further information can be obtained from AFDS or your relevant state SLC member Interpreting Manager.
 
In this manual, references to an “SLC member” or a “relevant SLC member”, is to the state Deaf Society that is providing the interpreting service through AFDS and the SLC system.
 
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