Breaking barriers with Auslan interpreting
for St John WA emergency services
24 March 2025
For the first time in Australia, an emergency service is making real-time Auslan interpreting available to the Deaf community. St John WA has partnered with Convo Australia to provide on-the-spot communication access for Deaf and hard of hearing patients and their families.
Using St John WA’s iPads, ambulance crews and healthcare personnel can now connect with experienced, NAATI-certified Auslan interpreters through Convo Australia’s service. This means no more waiting or struggling to communicate in critical moments.
(Source: Channel 9 News Perth, Facebook)
Reducing anxiety in critical situations
Accessing urgent healthcare can be stressful for anyone—but for Deaf people, it often comes with extra anxiety. Booking an interpreter ahead of time isn’t always possible, and communication barriers can make emergency situations even more overwhelming.
Joshua Levitzke-Gray, Convo Australia’s Customer Service Officer, knows the impact firsthand. “Since we started this partnership with St John WA, the difference has been huge. Now, from the ambulance to the hospital triage, Deaf patients can communicate clearly, reducing stress not just for them but for their loved ones too,” he said.
He added, “As a Deaf person, if I witness an accident, I can fully explain what I saw in my language. This kind of access to Auslan can truly save lives.”
A step towards inclusive healthcare
With around one in six Australians experiencing hearing loss, this initiative is a game-changer in making emergency healthcare more inclusive. Since launching in January 2024, St John WA crews have used Convo’s service multiple times, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
This partnership also builds on advocacy efforts led by St John WA Ambulance Paramedic Lauren D’Arcy, who has championed Auslan training for team members and volunteers. It’s all part of a broader mission to ensure pre-hospital care is accessible to everyone.
“Having interpreters allows us to provide culturally safe and appropriate care for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients,” she said.
“We are very proud to be able to support equal access to ambulance care for members of the community who use sign language (Auslan) as their preferred language.”
Become a partner
St John WA and Convo are proving that inclusive healthcare isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality, one emergency call at a time.
Interested in making your healthcare or business more accessible? Get in touch with us to learn more at convoaustralia.com/contact. We’re here to help
Sources
St John WA:
https://news.stjohnwa.com.au/st-john-wa-launches-australia-first-auslan-interpreting-service/
The West Australian:
https://thewest.com.au/news/health/st-john-wa-becomes-first-australian-emergency-service-to-provide-potentially-life-saving-interpreting-services-c-14287667