The Sign Hear Story

Sign Hear is a Deaf owned organisation founded by Sharon Xabregas that started up in Sydney in 2018 and quickly expanded across NSW and around Australia.

 

Sharon, who was born Deaf and grew up in the Sutherland Shire was eager to enter the workforce after finishing school. However, she soon realised the lack of support and awareness around accessibility and inclusiveness and as a result, she became a passionate advocate for bridging the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities.

 

Sign Hear provides support to families and individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and partners with organisations to ensure they are providing the appropriate level of support to their Deaf and hard of hearing employees. Sharon has more than 18 years of experience in Disability Employment Services and teaching Auslan. Drawing on her experience, she decided to establish Sign Hear, which offers services around Auslan, accessibility in the workplace, Auslan interpreting and job placement assistance and support for the Deaf Community.

 

Sign Hear employs a diverse team of staff who utilise Auslan, including both Deaf and hearing individuals. By hearing a mix of Deaf and hearing staff, Sign Hear promotes inclusiveness in the workplace and creates a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute their unique perspective and experiences. This approach also allows Sign Hear to provide a wider range of services and support to their clients, as their team can cater to different communication needs and preferences.

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