AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

27 March 2006

Library helps mark major event for Deaf community

Members of the Deaf community and interested members of the public are invited to attend a web cast screening of the third reading debate for the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Bill on Thursday 6 April at the Central City Library.

The third reading is the final debate on the Bill, which is followed by a vote to pass the Bill.
The debate will be broadcast live on the internet from Parliament, Wellington and New Zealand Sign Language interpreters will be interpreting the debate as it happens at the Central City Library.

If the New Zealand Sign Language Bill is passed, it will provide official recognition of Deaf people's language as a unique New Zealand language and gives it status equal to that of spoken languages. The Bill also looks at provisions for New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters in legal proceedings, and on access to language in education, health, employment and public broadcasting.

The Central City Library is pleased to support the New Zealand Sign Language by hosting this significant event.

Details are:
Date: Thursday 6 April
Time: 3pm
Where: Waitemata room, level 3, Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD.

For more information, please go to www.odi.govt.nz/what-we-do/nzsl.html or contact the Deaf Association of New Zealand (DANZ) through their website www.deaf.co.nz.

ENDS

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