Workplace colleagues
Do you have a deaf or hard of hearing colleague?
Deafness Awareness Training (DAT)
Customised Deafness Awareness Training for your organisation - delivered by Deaf trainers and certified Auslan interpreters with deep community connections across NSW and Australia.
Why have Deafness Awareness Training?
If you work with, serve, or interact with deaf and hard of hearing people, DAT equips your team with the skills to communicate effectively and inclusively.
Service providers
Do you provide services to deaf and hard of hearing people?
Community activities
Do you or a deaf family member participate in mainstream community events?
Communication skills
Do you have the skills to communicate easily with deaf and hard of hearing people?
You can customise your DAT by choosing the following topics. If you are unsure, ask us and we can suggest topics that match your needs.
Suggested training topics
Choose any topics that suit your organisation.
Who we are
Chevoy Sweeney and Sean Sweeney are directors of Sweeney Interpreting Pty Ltd, providing Auslan interpreting and training across NSW and Australia. With a combined 50 years’ experience as certified interpreters, they work across business, community, education, legal and medical settings.
Chevoy is a Certified Conference Interpreter with over 30 years experience. She has also had extensive experience in teaching and mentoring, having worked in various educational institutions and with RTOs. She holds current TAE qualifications.
Sean grew up in the Deaf community, bringing deep knowledge of Auslan and understanding of the challenges facing deaf people due to discrimination and/or lack of education. He is a Certified Interpreter and specialises in workplace interpreting.
Our presenters
Our pool of DAT presenters - both deaf and hearing - come from varied backgrounds of living and working in deaf and hearing communities. This lived experience enables them to develop strategies to improve communication.
Varied backgrounds
Presenters from both Deaf and hearing communities, with authentic lived experiences.
Best match for you
We match your DAT needs with the most suitable presenter available and close to your area.
Interpreter support
Depending on your booking, Auslan interpreters may be arranged alongside your assigned DAT presenter.
Course duration and size
Workshop options
We offer 1, 2, and 4 hour workshops. From experience, 2 hour workshops suit most people, as they are long enough to provide you with a well rounded information session. We can customise the workshop to meet your specific needs, and can deliver both onsite and online.
Online (Zoom)
Maximum 15- 30 people per session.
Onsite
Maximum 25 people per event suggested.
Contact Sweeney Interpreting regarding fees and charges tailored to your circumstances.
Who should attend?
Line managers
Workplace managers who work with deaf/hard of hearing staff.
Colleagues
Staff who work with deaf/hard of hearing colleagues.
Frontline staff
Staff who meet and communicate with deaf and hard of hearing people.
Community participants
Participants in community activities - sports teams, recreational clubs and clubs.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation fee
For DAT bookings cancelled within 5 business days, a cancellation fee will be charged.
Travel fares
Any prepaid commercial travel fares that cannot be cancelled without penalty will be charged.
Contact Sweeney Interpreting directly to discuss your specific circumstances regarding cancellations and fees.
Basic Auslan classes
Subject to availability, we also offer basic Auslan classes tailored to the language used in your organisation/workplace - helping you communicate more effectively with Deaf or hard of hearing people.
Practical focus
Designed to improve everyday communication with Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
Customised content
Content tailored to your organisation’s specific context and communication needs.
Subject to availability
Contact us to check presenter availability for your area and dates.
Fees
2-hour workshop
$650.00
1-hour workshop
$400.00
4-hour workshop
$1300.00
Travel
Where required: $90.00 per hour
Auslan interpreting
$134.00 per hour, per interpreter
(base rate for Monday to Friday business hours)
Two interpreters are required.
Total: $268.00 per hour (base rate)
GST: All fees listed above exclude GST.
Tailored to your workplace
We would love to talk with you to understand the content you would like to learn. Choose from the suggested topics or ask us to recommend the right combination.
Get in touch
Contact Sweeney Interpreting to discuss fees, charges and a training plan tailored to your organisation’s circumstances.