human rights set out in the Disability 1.8 Who this report refers to Convention. This NZSL Inquiry focuses on key issues for Between January 2000 and December 2012, current and potential users of NZSL. This the Commission received 396 complaints includes deaf people, hearing people with and enquiries related to discrimination communication difficulties, family/whānau and access issues for deaf people. Before members, friends, and professionals. 40 the passage of the NZSL Act this was an average of 22 complaints or enquiries a year. Since the Act was passed, there 1.8.1 Deaf with a “D” or a “d” has been an average of 38 complaints The capitalised “D” in “Deaf” is used each year. Since January 2000, about internationally to recognise a group of deaf half of these were about the actions of people who use sign language as their first government agencies, most commonly or preferred language. They are members education providers. These complaints of a deaf community and identify with Deaf and enquiries fall under Part 1A of the culture. The small “d” in “deaf”, however, HRA. The remainder related to actions of refers to a description of hearing impairment. individuals, groups and businesses outside It includes people who may or may not government and come under Part 2 of the use sign language or identify with the deaf HRA. Most commonly they were about community. This report uses the small “d” employment issues, with 90 enquiries and because the boundaries between Deaf and complaints received from deaf people deaf people are sometimes not clear. All deaf about employment discrimination. people should have opportunities to use NZSL throughout their lives. A capital “D” Of the 396 complaints and enquiries, 79 has only been used to describe Deaf culture made specific reference to NZSL. Further or in citations or names that use that format. analysis of these is provided in chapter 3 of this report. The number of complaints The owners and originators of sign languages and enquiries has remained consistent are deaf people who identify with Deaf despite the passage of the NZSL Act, with culture. Most of them were deafened prior 44 lodged from 2007 onwards, after NZSL to learning spoken language. They have a became an official language.41 strong visual orientation to the world. In New Zealand, this group are the “native speakers” of NZSL and it is typically their primary language. They have a leadership role around maintaining and promoting NZSL. 28