1. What is Deaf Sports Australia?
Deaf Sports Australia (DSA) is a National Sporting Organisation. It is the peak body for deaf sports in Australia. DSA is a vibrant organisation focussed on facilitating the access of deaf and hard of hearing people to the best sporting opportunities available in Australia.  top
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2. When was DSA established?
DSA was formed after a group of deaf leaders gathered in Adelaide in 1954 for an interstate deaf sports carnival for the purposes of forming a national body to manage interstate sports competitions. This body was named the "Australian Deaf Sports Federation" (ADSF) which was later renamed DSA in 1999. top |
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3. Why was DSA established?
DSA was established initially to manage all aspects of interstate sport competitions for deaf people. DSA now facilitates the access of deaf and hard of hearing people to the best sporting opportunities available in Australia. top |
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4. Where is DSA located?
The DSA office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The address is Level 3, 340 Albert St, East Melbourne VIC 3002. top |
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5. What is the structure of DSA?
DSA is made up of three components: (i) Board of Directors; (ii) Management; and (iii) Members. (i) The board of Directors consist of a President and 6 directors with each director being responsible for one portfolio. The role of the board is to lead DSA in the direction of its vision. (ii) The management team consists of the Executive Officer, Australian Deaflympic Team Coordinator and volunteer Project Officers. The role of management staff is to support and resource the decisions and actions of the board and at the same time, maintain the day-to-day operations of DSA. (iii) DSA has three groups of members: Individual Members (including Life Members), National Deaf Sporting Organisations (NDSOs) and States. DSA has a national and state based sports structure. Currently, there are 12 NDSOs and 5 States affiliated with DSA. In keeping with the DSA vision, people registered as individual DSA members wishing to participate in non-affiliated sports can be included in DSA’s programs. top |
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6. What does DSA do?
DSA is engaged in a wide range of innovative and exciting programs. The current biggest project is coordination of the Australian Deaflympic Team for the Melbourne 2005 Deaflympic Games. DSA runs six programs. top |
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7. How is DSA funded?
 DSA is heavily reliant on funding from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). DSA has a strong, fruitful and sustainable working relationship with the ASC. Of other sources, DSA receives less than 3% of operating revenue from member affiliation fees, and less than 1% from miscellaneous sources, such as donations and sponsorship (see graph). DSA has started a sponsorship program for the first time. top |
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8. Does DSA have obligations and requirements associated with the ASC funding?
Yes. DSA works closely with the ASC to achieve the funding requirements. DSA must spend its funds as per the obligations under the funding agreement (standard for any funding or sponsorship relationship) with the ASC. top |
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9. Is there a hearing criteria / classification?
DSA has a deaf ‘inclusive’ policy, for example, persons with any degree of hearing loss are eligible for membership. It might be noted that for International events sanctioned under the Comité International des Sports des Sourds (CISS), including the Deaflympic Games, deaf athletes need to meet the CISS hearing criteria. This ruling requires a hearing loss of at least 55db in the better ear (three tone frequency average of 500, 1000 and 2000 hertz). top |
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10. I don't do sign language, am I eligible?
Yes. Fluency in sign language is not a prerequisite for DSA membership. Prospective members will simply want to play sport and have fun! top |
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11. Can I wear my hearing aids / cochlear implant while playing sport?
Use of hearing aids/cochlear implants in sport is at the discretion of the athlete, however they cannot be worn, as an athlete, at the Deaflympic Games or other CISS sanctioned International events and some national events. top |
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12. Are there any special rules for deaf sports?
In general there are no modifications to technical rules in deaf sports. Some disciplines may allow for minor adjustments, such as visual aids. Come along to a Deaflympic event to see for yourself! top |
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13. Are there any national deaf sporting events?
DSA oversees coordination of the Australian Deaf Games (ADG) every 3 or 4 years. Deaf Sport Recreation Queensland will host the next ADG in 2008. Additionally, some sports conduct their own national championship. top |
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14. Why isn't deaf sport part of the Paralympic movement?
There are a number of simple and complex suggestions as to why the Deaflympic and Paralympic movements remain separate. Here is just a snapshot of some of those reasons. a. The ‘World Games for the Deaf’ (now Deaflympic Games) started 60 years before the Paralympic Games. b. The deaf community wish to remain independent from other multi-sport events. While DSA enjoys an excellent relationship with the Australian Paralympic Committee and is proud of DSA athletes who have competed at the Paralympic Games, the Deaflympic Games is organised as a stand-alone event. c. Deaf people see themselves as members of a linguistic and cultural minority and do not see themselves as disabled. Deaf athletes are physically able-bodied and can compete in sport without any restrictions, apart from communication barriers that may occur when playing sport with people who can hear. At the Deaflympic Games, no communication barriers exist. Athletes compete and interact with each other freely in sign language without the need for sign language interpreters except where hearing officials are involved. d. There are no unique sports for deaf athletes - they compete on all levels in any sport - the only consideration is to make auditory cues visible. By comparison, most events in the Paralympic Games are adapted according to physical abilities. top |
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15. Is it ok for me to participate in disabled events if offered within my sport?
Many national and state sporting organisations have programs for disabled athletes at school, state and national level. You are encouraged to access those programs to gain racing or competition experience and to forge partnerships with other elite athletes for personal sporting success. top |
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16. How do I join DSA?
Anyone is welcome to be a member of DSA as an individual. The membership form can be downloaded (click below). If you are interested in a particular sport please contact the NDSO direct.
 DSA Individual Membership Form -  PDF Download 49KB
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17. My child is hard of hearing and would like to take up a sport, where and how?
You have two options: 1. Mainstream – you can contact the National Sporting Organisation for the sport your child is interested in and ask them to assist you. For example, if your child wants to play basketball then you would contact Basketball Australia. 2. DSA – you can contact the National Deaf Sporting Organisation or DSA. Via the DSA Building Bridges and Targeted Club Programs, DSA can facilitate access to both the mainstream and DSA options. top |
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18. Where and when will the next Deaflympic Games be held?
The 2007 Winter Deaflympic Games will be held in the USA (Salt Lake City) from 1st-10th February 2007 - http://www.2007deaflympics.com
The 2009 Deaflympic Games will be held in Chinese Taipei (Taipei) from the 5th-15th September 2005 - http://www.2009deaflympics.org top |
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19. Who organised the 20th Deaflympic Games in Melbourne?
DSA is the host organisation for the 20th Deaflympic Games. DSA contracted Melbourne 2005 Deaflympic Games Limited (M2005) to organise the Deaflympic Games. M2005 is a team of deaf and hearing professionals with experience in organising International sporting events. top |
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20. Who organises the Australian Deaflympic Team?
The Australian Deaflympic Team (ADT) is coordinated and managed by DSA. DSA has appointed a paid full-time administrator to coordinate all aspects of the ADT. All other staff working for the ADT are volunteers. For further information relating to the ADT, please see the ADT pages or contact the ADT Coordinator, Brett Hidson direct. top |
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21. I am interested to help DSA as a volunteer, how?
DSA is always looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to help out at DSA as volunteers. The DSA experience may entail being involved in one of the many DSA subcommittees associated with each portfolio, or being actively involved in a program. There are lots of exciting initiatives that would take off with your help! Please send us a completed Volunteer Form - click on link below to download:
DSA Volunteer EOI - PDF Download 50KB top |
