AFDS believes that people who are Deaf or hearing impaired should enjoy the same political, civil and human rights as other members of the community.

AFDS works with its national partners to ensure people who are Deaf or hearing impaired achieve their full rights and fulfill their responsibilities as Australian citizens.

AFDS does this by:

• providing our member organisations with the opportunity to network and share their expertise and resources as services providers at a national level
• providing a focal point for issues relating to the provision of services to our clients to be raised with the Australian government and with other national organisation in order to influence public policy
• working in partnership with other organisation in the deafness sector in lobbying for the equal rights of people who are Deaf or have a hearing impairment
• providing services and undertaking research funded at a national level

AFDS consults and works closely with Deaf Australia (formerly Australian Association of the Deaf) and the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ASLIA).