Signs are looking good for language

By Kath Gannaway
WARBURTON teenager Cody Maxwell would like to see Auslan adopted universally as a second language.
The 14-year-old who was born profoundly deaf has started his ambitious campaign at the Upper Yarra Community House (UYCH) in Yarra Junction.
Cody and his mother Tracey – both fluent in the signing language – are running an introductory course in Auslan and hope to run more.
Cody said his motivation was to be able to communicate more widely, particularly with his peers, but with people of all ages.
He would also like to raise awareness of Auslan.
“There are a lot of deaf kids around here and people don’t know what it (Auslan) is,” he said.
“You see people staring and can hear them whispering, wondering what you are doing when you are signing.”
Cody has excellent vocal language skills and is a confident and articulate ambassador for Auslan users, many of whom are not so self-assured.
Tracey said without hearing aids, including a cochlear implant, Cody has no hearing.
“He has got to where he is with lots of speech therapy and lots of hard work,” she said, proud of Cody’s determination.
He has not let his hearing impairment dictate his life. Motor-bike riding is a passion and he is studying towards a career either in graphics or as a teacher of the deaf.
Cody said Auslan can be difficult to learn but that anyone can master it if they are willing to put in the effort.
Tony Drummond, education and training manager at UYCH, said although the course was a non-accredited course, they offered it as a means of facilitating communication between hearing impaired people in the valley and others.
Tracey said the response had been very good and she and Cody hoped to run another course.
Anyone who would like to learn the basics of Auslan can register their interest with UYCH on 5967 1776.