New Zealand Sign Language

[Lorraine Leeson]

Victoria,

Just to let you know that the European Union of the Deaf has (on its
website) an update on the status of sign languages in the Member States
of the European Union as of January 2001. This update is a summary of a
seminar hosted to coincide with the launch of the European year of
Languages in 2001 and reported on progress since the "Sign On Europe"
report of 1997. The 2001 update can be found at www.eudnet.org. Go to
the heading "News" and see EUD Update March 2001 (in two parts). This
document has been used by the Council of Europe as a starting point for
discussion of recognitions and/ or protection of sign languages within
their territories which comprises 40+ states.

Also, there is an article by Verena Krausneker that outlines an overview
of the varying kinds of recognition afforded to sign languages in a book
of proceedings from the EUD conference to celebrate its 15th
anniversary. The reference is: Krausneker, V. (2001) Sign Languages of
Europe - Future Chances. In Leeson, L. (ed.): Looking Forward: EUD in
the 3rd Millennium - the Deaf Citizen in the 21st Century.
Gloucestershire, UK: Douglas McLean Publishing.


Hope these might be of help.

Warm wishes

Lorraine


Dr. Lorraine Leeson
Director
Centre for Deaf Studies
83 Waterloo Lane
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland


-----Original Message-----
From: For the discussion of linguistics and signed languages.
[mailto:SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA] On Behalf Of Victoria Manning
Sent: 02 July 2003 05:38
To: SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA
Subject: New Zealand Sign Language

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


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

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