Big news in the Bluey-verse and honestly… we’re a bit emotional about this one.
Australia’s favourite blue heeler is about to get even more inclusive, with Auslan (Australian Sign Language) coming to Bluey episodes thanks to one determined dad who just wanted his deaf daughter to experience the show like every other kid.
After more than a year of pushing, and 14,000+ signatures, the ABC has confirmed Auslan-interpreted episodes are officially on the way.
Yep… this is a big deal.
It means deaf and hard-of-hearing kids will soon be able to watch Bluey and Bingo’s adventures in their first language — making family TV time actually feel like family TV time.
One Aussie dad’s campaign just made kids’ TV more inclusive
Melbourne dad James Wright had a pretty confronting moment while watching TV with his kids. His older children were laughing, following along, totally immersed.
His youngest daughter, who is profoundly deaf… wasn’t.
“I just couldn’t look at my three kids and ignore the fact that these great TV shows were only accessible to my two older kids.
It felt really unfair.”
So instead of accepting it, he did something about it.
Wright launched a petition calling on the ABC and Bluey creators to translate episodes into Auslan.
It didn’t just tick along… it took off – racking up more than 14,000 signatures from families across the country.
And now? It’s worked.
Bluey episodes with Auslan are officially coming
The ABC has confirmed Auslan-interpreted kids’ shows will begin rolling out on ABC iview from April 13 (Auslan Day).
For Wright, it’s everything.
“For my daughter, it means she can experience these shows in her first language.”
And this isn’t just a one-show wonder. The ABC plans to expand Auslan versions across more children’s programming over time.
ABC Head of Screen Jennifer Collins said the goal is simple — make content accessible to more families.
We love to see it.
“We’re delighted to bring Auslan to our children’s programming… and create a more accessible, inclusive experience for young Australians.”
Why Auslan is such a big deal
For many Deaf children, subtitles just don’t cut it. Auslan is often their first language and written English their second which can make fast, chatty shows tricky to follow, especially for kids who can’t read yet.
The numbers show why accessibility really matters:
- Around 1 in 1,000 babies in Australia are born with significant hearing loss
- By age five, that rises to more than 3 in every 1,000 kids
- Altogether, over 12,000 Australian children live with permanent hearing loss
That’s a lot of little people who deserve to enjoy the same shows their friends are quoting in the playground.
The good news? Auslan is popping up more and more, and it’s not just on TV:
- Kids’ shows like Play School are teaching simple signs
- Schools are offering more Auslan classes for students and adults
- Concerts, theatre shows and festivals include Auslan interpreters on stage so deaf kids and families can sing, dance and cheer along
And seeing someone really get into signing along with the music is fantastic. It shows kids that there’s more than one way to join the fun and that language comes in all sorts of shapes, sounds and signs.
Did you know? According to the 2021 Census, more than 16,000 Australians now say they use Auslan at home. That’s triple the number from 2001, so interest is definitely on the rise!
Bluey has been leading the way before
If you’ve watched Bluey for more than five minutes, you’ll know it doesn’t shy away from real-life stuff.
In the episode “Turtleboy”, viewers meet Dougie, a deaf pup who communicates with his mum using Auslan at the playground. The moment was widely praised for normalising sign language and including deaf kids in everyday storytelling.
The show has also touched on neurodivergence, with the episode “Army” introducing Jack, a pup who struggles with focus and memory, something many families recognised as ADHD-like traits. Rather than framing it as a problem, the story shows how kids thrive when they find the right environment and supportive friends.
Then there are the storylines that quietly resonate with adults too. In Onesies, Chilli’s sister Brandy is hinted to be dealing with infertility, while a subtle moment in “The Show” has long been interpreted by fans as referencing pregnancy loss.
And in the sweet fan-favourite episode “Camping,” Bluey befriends Jean-Luc, a pup who speaks French, showing kids that friendship doesn’t need perfect communication to work.
It’s these small, thoughtful moments that have helped make Bluey more than just a kids’ show. It’s a show that makes families feel seen.
One parent speaking up has just changed TV for thousands of kids.
And if there’s one lesson we can take from this whole story, it’s that sometimes the biggest wins start with a simple idea, a petition and a dad who just wanted his daughter to feel included during family TV time.
Wackadoo, indeed.
