“It was invented because IT didn’t exist, and the most important thing is communicating with other people, so the need for signing was there.”
This is interesting. What do you think, laura_?
I think that technology can never replace person-to-person interaction. Auslan has become a representation of Deaf culture and for many people who have the option of technology, they still choose to sign, because they enjoy it.
I think that while technology will assist many people, there will always be some for who a hearing aid or cochlear implant does nothing. Encouraging people to give up sign language and use assistive technology will only make it more difficult for people who cannot use that technology to communicate.
Later in the article, it talks about investing in communication technology rather than hearing technology and I can see this as being a happy middle ground and something that would be supported and welcomed by the Deaf community.