A New Era in the Right to Sign used in parallel ways to spoken languages. Advancements in hearing technologies They have all the requisite grammatical (such as hearing aids and cochlear implants) properties of a full language, including style can provide some deaf children with and tone.51 access to spoken language. It is important to remember, however, that “hearing The status of sign language users throughout with current implant technology is still history has been closely bound up with not normal and even the best [cochlear] how education systems have responded implant users struggle to hear in some to providing deaf children with access to situations, particularly in background language and education.52 In most countries, noise.”55 For prelingually deaf children, special residential schools for the deaf hearing technologies typically do not have created a critical mass of deaf peers provide complete access to spoken that enables the learning and transmission language in everyday settings, on an equal of sign language between generations.53 basis with hearing people.56 Sign language “Changes to the status of sign languages are can offer these deaf children windows into rarely effected without consideration of its the world and other avenues for learning.57 use in the education of deaf children”.54 Children signing at Titahi Bay School celebrating NZSL Week. © Deaf Aotearoa. 31