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Letters

Very Few People Know How to Use Sign Language

By
Seleena

Seleena writes from a prison in WA.

Samantha Gades via Unsplash

To whom it may concern,

My name is Seleena and I am a prisoner in WA. While being incarcerated, I have learnt how many members of the community are Deaf and have a lot of trouble communicating as very few people know how to use sign language.

I am aware of how many Indigenous families have Deaf family members and the embarrassment that comes along with it when people can’t communicate with their family.

I would love to be part of spreading awareness and learning Auslan myself, as I only know the bare essentials. I have at least 10 more years in prison and would like to run some programs with girls willing to learn.

If there is any information or starter packs you could provide I would be very grateful.

Thank you for your time,

Seleena

To whom it may concern,

My name is Seleena and I am a prisoner in WA. While being incarcerated, I have learnt how many members of the community are Deaf and have a lot of trouble communicating as very few people know how to use sign language.

I am aware of how many Indigenous families have Deaf family members and the embarrassment that comes along with it when people can’t communicate with their family.

I would love to be part of spreading awareness and learning Auslan myself, as I only know the bare essentials. I have at least 10 more years in prison and would like to run some programs with girls willing to learn.

If there is any information or starter packs you could provide I would be very grateful.

Thank you for your time,

Seleena

This
letter
was originally printed in the
February 2026
edition of About Time.

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Welcome to About Time

About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

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