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October 25, 2003

Deaf SA pleads with Govt for funding

From: ABC Online, Australia - Oct 25, 2003

Deaf South Australia is demanding that the Federal Government provide interim funding for deaf interpreters if it plans to stall the release of its study on hearing impaired services.

In July, Deaf SA was forced to stop funding the service itself because of high costs.

The Federal Government has so far refused to help, saying it needed to complete a study.

Deaf SA chief executive Barry Mackie says his organisation has contacted the new Disability Services Minister, Kay Patterson, to ask her three things.

"Number one is not allow it to fall off the agenda," he said.

"Number two, that it is addressed very quickly.

"And number three, if there is going to be a delay, for some reason, that the Minister must revisit our request for interim funding while the research is completed."

© 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation