Westfield is set to expand its successful Auslan Santa service to Tuggerah this year, with Santa set to sign with children on November 29.
The move follows the successful launch of the service at selected Westfields last year and will allow more deaf and hard-of-hearing families on the Central Coast to share their Christmas wish-list directly with an Auslan-fluent Santa.
Launched as a pilot program in 2022 in collaboration with advocacy body Deaf Australia, Auslan Santa offers children who use Auslan as their primary form of communication the opportunity to meet and sign with Santa.
The bespoke sessions are longer and have helpers and an interpreter on hand to help facilitate.
Group National Community Manager of Scentre, the group which owns and operates Westfield, Pam Wilson said sessions quickly filled up last year.
“The joy and excitement Santa brings should be something all children have the chance to experience and we’re proud to continue our commitment of inclusivity by offering an experience that is more widely accessible,” she said.
Deaf Australia Chief Executive Officer Jen Blyth said last year’s launch was a “truly magical experience”.
“We know our community was thrilled to be able to communicate with Santa for the first time,” she said.
“We are so excited that this experience will be available to even more deaf and hard-of-hearing children throughout Australia and we hope they have their wish lists ready.”
In addition to supporting the expansion of Auslan Santa, Deaf Australia and event service providers, Scene to Believe, are continuing to educate and train all Westfield Santas to better interact with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Auslan Santa followed the success of Sensitive Santa, a tailored experience available for those with sensory challenges, anxiety, disabilities, or families who simply require more time.
Sensitive Santa started as a trial concept in one centre in 2017 before being rolled out to all 42 Westfield centres in 2019 across Australia and New Zealand and remains a national offering.
Bookings are now open for a visit with Auslan Santa at Westfield Tuggerah from 3pm-6pm on Wednesday, November 29.
Book at westfield.com.au
Source:
Westfield