New Zealand Sign Language

[Victoria Manning]

New Zealand

The New Zealand Government is currently considering whether to make New
Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) an official language in New Zealand. The
Government's Office for Disability Issues is carrying out background
policy work to inform the Government of options for a NZSL Bill.

NZSL is the preferred language of New Zealand's Deaf community, and a
NZSL Bill proposes to give recognition to Deaf people's linguistic and
cultural rights in New Zealand.

Progress to date:

The Office for Disability Issues has carried out initial consultations
with the Deaf community and government departments. The consultations
with the Deaf community were assisted by a Deaf Advisory Group. The Deaf
community reported they experience serious barriers in almost every
facet of daily life, and particularly when accessing services and
information. This feedback from the Deaf community and feedback from
government departments was reported on to Hon. Ruth Dyson, Minister for
Disability Issues in June 2003. The Minister has now directed the Office
for Disability Issues to prepare a Cabinet paper on the proposed NZSL
Bill and related work to address the problems experienced by Deaf people
in New Zealand. The Office expects to have this paper presented to
Cabinet for their consideration in about August 2003. Upon receiving
direction from Cabinet further work will become clearer.

We would like to gather more international information on recognition of
sign languages in legislations. We are also keen to make contact with
countries that have such legislations; in particularly we are interested
in information on how legal recognition of sign languages is implemented
and monitored; models for funding implementation and ways that sign
languages are promoted.

If you would like to make contact with us the contact person in the
Office for Disability Issues for this work is: Victoria Manning, a Deaf
woman, email: Victoria.Manning001 at msd.govt.nz.

Researching information on the official recognition of sign language in
other countries has been difficult as this information does not seem to
be available in one place, other than the summary provided at
http://www.ea.nl/EUDmail/v.krausneker.htm.

We appreciate this opportunity to join this list and to share
information about these exciting developments in New Zealand!

Victoria Manning


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Victoria Manning
Graduate Policy Analyst
Office for Disability Issues
Fax: 04 918 0075
www.odi.govt.nz

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