In this week’s episode, Dr Ramas McRae joins us to recognise International Week of Deaf People and the International Day of Sign Languages. He explores how communication access and inclusion influence the wellbeing of Deaf people, and shares ways speech pathologists can support inclusion and be effective allies.
Dr McRae participates in this conversation using Auslan. We encourage you to access the video version, presented in Auslan and English, also with captions. You can view this at https://youtu.be/UFQsiyhZWm0
Content warning: This episode features topics that some viewers and listeners may find distressing. It includes discussions of exclusionary practices, mental health difficulties, and suicide. If this content brings up difficult feelings for you, please reach out to:
• Lifeline at 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636
• 13 YARN at 13 92 76 (support for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individuals)
Special thanks to Genevieve Cassin for interpretation during this episode.
Resources:
Dr McRae's publications: https://ramasmcrae.com/publications
International Day of Sign Languages: https://www.un.org/en/observances/sign-languages-day
International Week of Deaf People: https://wfdeaf.org/international-week-of-deaf-people-2026/
SPA resources:
Culturally responsive speech pathology practice: https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=1097
Speech Pathology Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and offers our respect to Elders, across all times and places. The Speak Up podcast recognises the central role of yarning and oral storytelling in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, how this translates to knowledge translation, and that colonisation has interrupted these practices of Language and knowledge sharing. The Speak Up podcast acknowledges the need for truth-telling and deep listening, the central role that Language plays in connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Culture, Country, and Community, and the interwoven nature of health, and social and emotional wellbeing. We recognise that the Traditional Owners of the Lands across Australia have been here since time immemorial, and that their sovereignty over this land, was never ceded.
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