Frequently Asked Questions
1 . Can I use my NDIS funding to pay for a Key Word Sign workshop?
If your plan is self managed or plan managed, you can use your NDIS funding to pay for Key Word Sign training. This can be a place in a Community Workshop, or your own Private Workshop. Key Word Sign Victoria is not a registered NDIS provider, so if your plan is agency managed, you can not use your NDIS funds. For more information on including a Key Word Sign Workshop in your NDIS plan go to https://kwsa.org.au/ndis/
2. Are signs the same everywhere in the world?
No. Signs are taken from the host country's Deaf community. For example in America they use the signs from American Sign Language (ASL). In England they use British Sign Language (BSL) and of course, in Australia we use Australian Sign Language (Auslan).
3. How can I learn more signs?
You can learn new signs in a number of ways. When you attend a Basic Key Word Sign workshop, you will receive a copy of the "Getting Started with Key Word Sign (Auslan Edition)" book which includes line drawings and a written description for over 100 words that you will learn in the workshop. There are a number of Australian based Key Word Sign resources available on the Key Word Sign Australia website. Some are free to download and some are for purchase. To view videos and resources available on the Key Word Sign Australia website, go to Resources and Shop If you need additional signs you can look them up on the brand new resource developed by Key Word Sign Australia, called KWSCreate. This is a subscription based service that enables you to create personalised communication resources for the individuals you support as well as reviewing signs learned in KWS workshops and learning new signs. Click on the link above to see a video and more information on how it works.
If you still need additional signs you can look them up on: - Auslan Signbank - https://auslan.org.au/about/dictionary/ - Find Sign - https://find.auslan.fyi/ - Spread The Sign - https://www.spreadthesign.com/en.au/search/ - SignHow - https://www.signhow.co/m For more ideas on how to use Key Word Sign, check out the Key Word Sign Australia YouTube Channel. 4. I've done a Basic KWS workshop. Now, what can I do to maintain my signing skills? Great question!! Like many things in life, Key Word Sign is a "use it or lose it" situation. It's just a fact,... if you don't use the signs you learned in your workshop, you will quckly forget them. So the best thing you can do to maintain your signing skills is to use as many signs as you can in everyday interactions,... such as when reading books, playing games, singing songs and in everyday routine activities. We know it can help our motivation when we get together with others who have learned Key Word Sign, to encourage each other to practice and maintain our skills. For this reason, Key Word Sign Victoria is trialing new Sip 'n' Sign Sessions. These sessions are scheduled for an hour, approximately once a month. The sessions will be fun and inclusive of ANYONE who has attended a Basic Key Word Sign Workshop. We will use these sessions to: > Review signs learned in your basic workshop > Work on sign accuracy and fluency > Brainstorm questions about using KWS in your home or workplace For more details, click on the link above. Whether you are a "signing whiz",... or your key word sign skills are on the rusty side, it doesn't matter. We look forward to seeing you at a Sip 'n' Sign Session soon!! ALL ARE WELCOME!
If your plan is self managed or plan managed, you can use your NDIS funding to pay for Key Word Sign training. This can be a place in a Community Workshop, or your own Private Workshop. Key Word Sign Victoria is not a registered NDIS provider, so if your plan is agency managed, you can not use your NDIS funds. For more information on including a Key Word Sign Workshop in your NDIS plan go to https://kwsa.org.au/ndis/
2. Are signs the same everywhere in the world?
No. Signs are taken from the host country's Deaf community. For example in America they use the signs from American Sign Language (ASL). In England they use British Sign Language (BSL) and of course, in Australia we use Australian Sign Language (Auslan).
3. How can I learn more signs?
You can learn new signs in a number of ways. When you attend a Basic Key Word Sign workshop, you will receive a copy of the "Getting Started with Key Word Sign (Auslan Edition)" book which includes line drawings and a written description for over 100 words that you will learn in the workshop. There are a number of Australian based Key Word Sign resources available on the Key Word Sign Australia website. Some are free to download and some are for purchase. To view videos and resources available on the Key Word Sign Australia website, go to Resources and Shop If you need additional signs you can look them up on the brand new resource developed by Key Word Sign Australia, called KWSCreate. This is a subscription based service that enables you to create personalised communication resources for the individuals you support as well as reviewing signs learned in KWS workshops and learning new signs. Click on the link above to see a video and more information on how it works.
If you still need additional signs you can look them up on: - Auslan Signbank - https://auslan.org.au/about/dictionary/ - Find Sign - https://find.auslan.fyi/ - Spread The Sign - https://www.spreadthesign.com/en.au/search/ - SignHow - https://www.signhow.co/m For more ideas on how to use Key Word Sign, check out the Key Word Sign Australia YouTube Channel. 4. I've done a Basic KWS workshop. Now, what can I do to maintain my signing skills? Great question!! Like many things in life, Key Word Sign is a "use it or lose it" situation. It's just a fact,... if you don't use the signs you learned in your workshop, you will quckly forget them. So the best thing you can do to maintain your signing skills is to use as many signs as you can in everyday interactions,... such as when reading books, playing games, singing songs and in everyday routine activities. We know it can help our motivation when we get together with others who have learned Key Word Sign, to encourage each other to practice and maintain our skills. For this reason, Key Word Sign Victoria is trialing new Sip 'n' Sign Sessions. These sessions are scheduled for an hour, approximately once a month. The sessions will be fun and inclusive of ANYONE who has attended a Basic Key Word Sign Workshop. We will use these sessions to: > Review signs learned in your basic workshop > Work on sign accuracy and fluency > Brainstorm questions about using KWS in your home or workplace For more details, click on the link above. Whether you are a "signing whiz",... or your key word sign skills are on the rusty side, it doesn't matter. We look forward to seeing you at a Sip 'n' Sign Session soon!! ALL ARE WELCOME!