Disability Issues Minister, Nicky Wagner says New Zealand can be proud of its achievements in supporting the Deaf community.
New Zealand celebrates the 10th anniversary of the adoption of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as an official language alongside Māori and English. The NZSL Act was passed on April 6, 2006.
Wagner says, "NZSL is central to Deaf culture and identity, and is crucial to Deaf people's ability to communicate and fully participate in society.”
NZSL Funding provided support to projects including increasing NZSL documentation, enabling more children and families to learn NZSL in the home and increasing access to arts and culture.
Te Kāea will talk to one Deaf artist who speaks about the growth of NZSL since language became official.
Abbie Twiss says the deaf culture has come a long way with an increasing number of people learning to communicate through sign.