The Bringing Them Home Report recommended that any monetary reparations be accompanied by the widest possible publicity.201 The Stolen Generations Reparations survey indicates the following statistics from 63 participants who identified as Stolen Generations:
- 26 participants stated that they would prefer to be provided with information about Reparations through an Aboriginal Co-operative.
- 25 participants stated that they would prefer to be contacted directly by mail, phone or email to receive information about Reparations.
- 22 participants stated they would prefer to be provided with information about Reparations from a disability (8), prison (6), justice (4), Stolen Generations, noted as Connecting Home or Bringing Them Home Worker (4), service.
- 19 participants stated they would prefer to be provided with information about Reparations from Facebook.
- 16 participants stated they would prefer to be provided with information about Reparations from community members.
Based on these results and the collective experience of working with Stolen Generations, the following is recommended.
Recommendation 25
The Steering Committee recommends that the publicising and promotion of the Stolen Generations Reparations is age appropriate and broad reaching. It is recommended that any promotions be developed using straightforward language, imagery and accessible video promotion.
To fulfill this recommendation, it is recommended that the promotion go beyond the usual means of social media to ensure that any promotion reaches those who are outside of the Victorian Aboriginal community networks. This includes promotion in mainstream media, information for those who are incarcerated, information for those who may be in mainstream aged care facilities, and those Victoria Stolen Generations who may be living interstate.
It is also recommended that the term Stolen Generations and Reparations are made clear in any promotions using the terminology noted above in this report as a reference point.
It is important to consider all abilities in all promotional and information developed about the Stolen Generations Reparations. As a Deaf Stolen Generations consultation participant stated they were ‘lost and stolen’ as they ‘never understand or get things in our first language, sign language’. An example of a promotional video which includes Auslan, captioning and voiceover, to ensure that all accessibility considerations are included, was completed for the Reparations consultations by Auslan Consultancy. It is recommended that this format be used for Stolen Generations Reparations promotion. Please note that this video is held under intellectual property and cultural rights and is not for further distribution.
It is essential that all online and physical promotion developed uses plain language to be accessible to all, easy English including symbols and imagery to be accessible for those with a lived experience of disability, can be transferred into Auslan, and meets the AAA web content standards. This includes all media announcements, websites, flyers, posters, and promotional outreach sessions. Promotional outreach sessions must include accessibility, disability support workers and Auslan interpreters.
End notes
201 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 1997, Bringing Them Home Report
Updated