in schools alongside steps to increase NZSL
Section 9 of the NZSL Act sets out the
fluency amongst all staff. Training deaf
principles that government departments
people for roles in early intervention teams
should be guided by, so far as reasonably
is another way to help create NZSL learning
practicable. These include that NZSL should
environments.
be used to promote government services
and provide information to the public, and to
Deaf people require NZSL interpreter and
make government services and information
translation services in order to access
accessible to the deaf community.
tertiary education and have the same
range of tertiary courses and providers
While not covered by the NZSL Act,
as other students. Current Equity funding
providing NZSL interpreters has been an
does not recognise the high costs of NZSL
explicit expectation of the health service
services and excludes private training
since well before the NZSL Act. This
establishments. The Commission strongly
includes expectations in the Code of Health
suggests that Equity funding for deaf
and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.
students is reviewed in order to improve
Without access to NZSL interpreters and
deaf students’ enrolment and achievements
resources, it is impossible for many deaf
levels in tertiary education.
people to realise their rights. These are the
rights to effective communication, to be
Both the NZSL Act and the Disability
fully informed, to make an informed choice
Convention highlight the importance of
and give informed consent, and to have
consultation with the deaf community
their cultural needs taken into account.
on matters relating to sign language. The
These expectations are also in the Operating
Commission is concerned that there is no
Policy Framework of the Crown Funding
formalised mechanism for the Ministry of
Agreement with District Health Boards
Education or other government agencies
(DHBs). Yet the Ministry of Health collects
to access such expert, strategic advice and
no monitoring information from DHBs about
guidance on NZSL.
this requirement.
There is no monitoring of the quantity or
Access to NZSL
cost of NZSL interpreter services within or
across government agencies, including DHBs.
NZSL interpreter services help provide
This makes it extremely difficult to know
access to everyday life, recognise deaf
whether the guiding principles of the NZSL
people’s human rights and autonomy, and
Act are being followed, let alone whether
give them the opportunity to achieve their
deaf people’s rights under the Disability
full potential and aspirations.
Convention or domestic laws and policies
10