3 September 2013

Deaf community’s chance to flourish

The Government must step up to implement the recommendations from today’s Human Rights Commission report ‘a New Era in the Right to Sign’ the Green Party said.

“This report must not be put on the shelf to accumulate dust; its recommendations have the power to make a real difference for the Deaf community,” said Green Party disability spokesperson Mojo Mathers.

“The report sets out practical and specific recommendations that the Government needs to start working on immediately in order to ensure that the Deaf community achieves educational and health outcomes on parity with their hearing peers.

“We strongly support the recommendation to create a Statutory Board for New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).

“Making NZSL an official language of New Zealand in 2006 was a great first step, but it needs to be supported by a body that can help to care for, and grow the language.

“We welcome the clear expressions of support that came from the Minister of Disability and the Minister of Education today. We hope that the Minister of Health will take up his responsibilities too.”

To download a copy of the report:
http://www.hrc.co.nz/2013/commission-releases-report-of-its-inquiry-into-new-zealand-sign-language

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