Tasdeaf Official History

The Society was first founded in 1887. It’s original name was the “Society for the benefit of the Tasmanian Blind” This became “The Tasmanian Institute for the Blind and Deaf”, until the word “Institute” was changed to “Society” and the prefix “Royal” added as from 1st January 1964.

Unlike the mainland states, the Society was responsible for the welfare of both Blind and Deaf adults and the accommodation of Blind and/or Deaf children attending special schools.

Deaf welfare provided general welfare services for any Deaf person who has attended a school or class for Deaf children, this service was free of charge.

The largest welfare need of the congenitally Deaf (born Deaf) is in the area of interpreting into and from Sign Language, other welfare activities include provision for social gatherings, printing of a Magazine for the Deaf, Tasdeaf also acts as an agency for the various aids for the Deaf.

The Tasmanian Deaf Society was formed when the Board of the Royal Tasmanian Society for the Blind and Deaf acted on the recommendations of Arthur Young Management Consultants. The Arthur Young review of Services was released in October 1986 and recommended that two separate organisations to be formed; one for the Blind, one for the Deaf.

The State Government, through the Department of Community Welfare provided the Deaf Society with an initial establishment grant of $20,000 which helped the interim Committee of Management began their services. The then Minister for Community Services, Chris Hurford MP also approved the making of a grant under section 10 of the new Disability Services Act on 5th June 1987.

The Tasmanian Deaf Society was later incorporated on 13th July 1987.

Download the full Tasdeaf Official History Guide here.

Click here to download our Life Members list and a description detailing their contributions throughout Tasdeaf's history.