Put your hearing privilege to good use

Drisana Levitzke-Gray’s first language is Auslan – Australian sign language. As an ambassador for Deaf Australia, she emphasises the unique expressive nature of sign language.  

As a deaf person, Drisana experiences day-to-day barriers, judgement and discrimination. She points out that people who can hear don’t recognise that it is a form of privilege.  

Drisana does not seek to evoke guilt or to receive personal validation. Instead, she calls on us to be allies for the deaf community, to make the world a fairer, more inclusive place for everyone. 

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx 

About the speaker 

Drisana Levitzke-Gray is a dedicated advocate for the human rights of deaf people. She raises awareness about Auslan (Australian Sign Language), and the right of deaf children in Australia to access Auslan from birth.  

Drisana was the first deaf Auslan user to fulfil her civic duty as a juror, or to deliver a TEDx talk in Auslan. She consistently promotes a positive image of deafness, which states loudly and proudly: It’s OK to be deaf.  

Drisana works as a motivational speaker, and Auslan and accessibility consultant. She is the embodiment of the concept of ‘deaf gain’, not ‘hearing loss’, inspiring the deaf community, and encouraging the wider community to accept diversity.