NZ Sign Languages Week

Press Release for NZ Sign Languages Week

This week has been significant in the history of New Zealand, with the first ever NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language) Week held during 7-13 May. This is a result of the New Zealand Sign Language Act which became law on 10 April 2006. The Purpose of New Zealand Sign Language Week is "To raise awareness that New Zealand Sign Language is now our third official language and recognised as part of New Zealand’s culture!" Throughout NZ this week there are 50 new taster courses for sign to introduce people to NZSL.

NZSL is the primary means of communication for New Zealand's deaf community, as well as a growing number of people with other disabilities, including cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, speech dyspraxia, and more recently with child with Autism.

NZSL is closely related to British Sign Language, and shares a great deal of the same signs with both BSL and Auslan (Australian Sign Language)

Bilby Publishing is Australia’s leading Sign Language Publisher and is now partnering with New Beginnings to bring NZ a great range of New Zealand Sign Language Resources for Parents, Children and Teachers. With the recent Government endorsement of NZSL, Bilby are converting many of their unique resources to NZSL. One of the most exciting developments for those wanting to learn is Sign Planet.

Sign Planet, is a subscription based website collaborative project between the Auslan Publishing House, Bilby Publishing, and translators throughout New Zealand, The UK and Australia, to improve access to indigenous sign languages to parents, teachers and the wider community in an easily accessible, versatile and functional way. Users are asked to select their language/country on entry, and can then search and print from an extensive, and ever growing bank of both sign language images and clip art.

"Sign Planet has revolutionised the way parents can learn to communicate with their children" - Mark, Speech Therapist

"I have worked in the UK and Australia, and I have never come across anything like this before. It's amazing" Emma, Early Intervention consultant.

New Beginnings is giving away three 6 month subscriptions to Sign Planet. Go to www.newbeginnings.co.nz and enter to WIN and put this amazing resource in the palm of your hand.

ENDS

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