About Us Overview

Royal South Australian Deaf Society (Deaf CanDo), established in 1891, is South Australia’s second oldest charitable institution. Since its inception it has provided a range of services to the Deaf community living in South Australia. The Society hosts a well attended Senior Citizens Group, SADRA (Recreation Association), Deaf Church and Womens Guild along with other smaller groups who use it as a centre for meeting and sharing fellowship through Auslan and Deaf Culture.

After some very difficult financial challenges, in 2007 Deaf CanDo underwent major structural changes with the aim to reduce its operating deficit and create a balanced budget while at the same time seeking to meet the many needs of a unique and often disadvantaged community of Deaf and hearing impaired people.

Following discussions between Deaf CanDo and CanDo4Kids the state’s two oldest charities integrated in February 2007 to form CanDo Group Charities under the auspice of Townsend House Incorporated. This structural change has primarily led to the integration of administrative functions therefore resulting in a reduction of costs in management and administration and a stabilisation of Deaf CanDo’s financial situation. In the long term, financial viability of improvement of amenities remains a key goal of the organisation.

Deaf CanDo is pivotal to the 800 strong Deaf Community and a large number of hearing impaired South Australians. In recent years Deaf CanDo has expanded its services to include support of those people who are also hearing impaired. Our Hi Deafness Friendly program managed by the ever enthusiastic Rod McInnes is growing at a rapid rate and has attracted strong interest from other states. Additionally, our Hearing Loss Solutions Audiology Clinics led by our Principal Audiologist Heidi Limareff and assisted by Jena Mayne in South Tce (Adelaide) and Blackwood have helped many South Australians over the past two years. A smaller number of people who are Deafblind are also supported as Deaf CanDo provides the only qualified Deafblind interpreting service to this community.