Georgia Marsters is among a group, aged 12-24, who will receive FREE AUSLAN training over the next seven weeks, at Belmore Youth Resource Centre.

"This is the definition of inclusiveness and makes me proud to be a resident of this area," the Belmore resident said.

"I think it’s an invaluable course because it teaches teenagers a different way to connect and communicate with those unable to hear."

Georgia has been unofficially learning AUSLAN for four years, ever since she met a few friends who are deaf.

"We mainly talk through text, but I wanted to learn signing, so I asked them to start teaching me bit by bit," Georgia said.

During the course, youth will learn the alphabet, numbers, simple phrases and greetings, and how to sign amounts of money.

Mayor Khal Asfour said it was vital to provide access for people with disability in the area.

"We are committed to improving our communication; better educating our community; making our City more accessible and advocating for people with disability," Mayor Asfour said.

The DIAP sets out practical steps Council needs to take, to promote equal rights and improve opportunities for residents living with disability. Other actions completed since June include:

• Hosting the Zero Barriers Awards, which rewarded local businesses who are inclusive of people with disability;
• Taking part in a sector-wide seminar to help deliver information and support services to families who have a child or children with disability;
• Providing travel training to teach parents the skills to assist their children with disability, in navigating the public transport system independently;
• Opening the City’s first All-Abilities Playground at Bankstown City Gardens;
• Training Children Services staff, to help them provide better services to children with Autism; and
• Opening student placement and work experience roles, specifically for people with disability.

To find out more about the AUSLAN course, call BYRC on 9718 9848, or for more information about the DIAP, visit cb.city/diap