consulted, so far as reasonably practicable, deaf people continue to experience when on matters relating to NZSL. It looked at the using their own language. Barriers restrict deaf community’s priorities and aspirations their quality of life and full enjoyment of for their language when considering how fundamental human rights. These concerns to give effect to the official status of NZSL. were based on evidence drawn from: These priorities have been drawn from various government and non-government a complaints and enquiries the engagements, research and reports. In order Commission received about of importance, they are that: discrimination and language 1 education is available in NZSL barriers that deaf people faced 2 deaf children and their families/whānau b extensive community consultations can access NZSL resources in early carried out by the Commission in childhood 2010 and 2011 3 quality NZSL interpreter services enable c the Convention Coalition’s deaf people to access government independent monitoring report on services and information and to New Zealand’s implementation participate in society of the United Nations Convention 4 a designated strategic body has responsibility for maintaining and promoting NZSL.2 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Disability Convention, also known as UNCRPD or CRPD)4 d reports from disabled people’s 1.3 Methodology organisations (DPOs) such as Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand and The Commission is a Crown entity, research papers on deaf people in independent of the Government. Its New Zealand. functions and powers are set out in section 5 of the Human Rights Act 1993 (HRA). These The Inquiry’s Terms of Reference (see include the authority to inquire generally Appendix 1) were closely informed by the into any matter [that] … involves, or may requirements of the Disability Convention. involve, the infringement of human rights”.3 This includes the importance placed on the deaf community’s priorities for their The Commission began this NZSL Inquiry because of concerns about the barriers 18 language.