21/09/2026
💙🩵 National Week of Deaf People 💙🩵
This week is a little extra special to our Donald Swimming family.
Our daughter, Penelope, is profoundly deaf and wears cochlear implants, so Deaf awareness and creating inclusive spaces is something very close to our hearts.
Penelope has taught us that communication does not always look or sound the same, and that a little understanding, patience and willingness to communicate differently can make an enormous difference.
At Donald Swimming, we want every child who walks through our gates to feel welcomed, understood and included.
In swimming lessons that might mean using more visual demonstrations, gestures or Auslan signs, making sure a swimmer can see their instructor when instructions are being given, or simply taking the time to learn how that particular child communicates best.
Because being Deaf should never be a barrier to learning to swim, being part of a team, or feeling like you belong.
This National Week of Deaf People, we are celebrating Deaf children and adults, Auslan, Deaf culture and the wonderfully diverse ways we communicate.
And we are especially celebrating our beautiful Penelope. 💙🤟
