I found I already knew some of the members of the Day Centre because I had been able to assist them when I was at the Met. I was referred to a Support Club. This is a social group for anyone of any age that has both a vision and hearing impairment, particularly if they have been socially isolated from the general community because of the disability. This club is supported by the Association for the Blind, the Deaf Blind Association, the Victorian Deaf Society and the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind. The group meets monthly and has various activities such as bowling.
All members learn to finger spell so they can communicate with the members who are profoundly deaf.
The Agencies, supporting the club, fund professional Interpreters, so the members who are profoundly deaf can be told what is happening during our outings and meetings but just as important, members and staff who have some hearing can communicate with those who can only talk through signing. I am only one of the many volunteers who give their time to the Association for the Blind, working as a clerical assistant to the Audiologists in the Vision Resource Centre. I teach staff members, volunteers and clients how to fingerspell. My husband is very supportive and involves himself in any activity that interests me. I have been a member of the Board of Management of the Deaf Blind Association for the last four years, the first person with a vision and hearing impairment to join the Board.