Zealand formed a national association linguistic research that documented to gain a representative voice for their sign languages, including NZSL, as real community. They began to assert that languages. Sign language is different from insufficient attention to their language spoken languages because it is wholly needs had led to social disadvantage in visual, with its own grammatical structure. education, health, justice and access to It is a common misconception that sign welfare services. Deaf people began to language is somehow more limited than claim their “otherness” in a positive way, spoken languages. NZSL however, like calling for recognition and support of their other sign languages, is comprehensive and minority language status. able to express all communications and 10 ideas. Within signing communities, sign In the 1980s, this shift in focus moved language is the bedrock foundation of Deaf from people burdened by hearing loss to a culture. It has enabled the passing on of vibrant cultural-language group. This was shared values, norms, behaviours, history, supported by international and national humour, art, stories, poetry and traditions. I Am Deaf: LetÕs Talk – 25 Signs to learn at work booklet. © Deaf Aotearoa. 20