A Department of Agriculture and Food quarantine inspector is putting her newly acquired sign language skills into practice at Perth Domestic Airport.
Rachel Wallace, based with the Detector Dog Unit, completed a basic sign language course earlier this year to enable her to better communicate with passengers who are deaf.
Ms Wallace said she had wanted to learn sign language for some time.
“Working for the department and seeing passengers who are deaf come through the airport and not being able to communicate effectively with them provided the incentive for me to get the course done,” she said.
“I did the beginners course to learn basic communication and what I needed to know to get the quarantine message across.”
Ms Wallace recently had the opportunity to use her new skills after her detector dog responded to an incoming passenger’s bag.
“I was able to quickly establish the young girl was deaf after the dog responded to her bag and I was then able to communicate with her using sign language,” Ms Wallace said.
She said she was concerned that she wouldn’t get it ‘right’ on her first contact.
“I asked the girl whether she was carrying any fruit or vegetables in her bag and I could tell that she understood me which was so exciting as I knew I was doing it right,” she said.
“I was able to get across what I needed to ask and felt brilliant at the end of it.”
Ms Wallace said she used to watch passengers who were deaf at the carousel and thought it would be beneficial to be able to communicate with them - especially if one of the dogs gave an indication on their bags.
“In the past we would provide passengers with brochures to read but I believe being able to communicate with sign language is a more personal and professional approach which the passengers do appreciate,” she said.
This week is Western Australia’s Disability Awareness Week, which runs from 1 to 7 December. The week promotes awareness and understanding of the WA Government’s Count Me In vision, which aspires for all to live in welcoming communities that facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone.
More information on sign language communications is available from the WA Deaf Society website www.wadeaf.org.au
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