Tips for Education Providers

Deaf Education Centres

Deaf Education Centres provide preschool services and schooling for day students (including satellite classes within mainstream schools) and for those staying within the Deaf Education Centre's own residential facilities. 
The Deaf Education Centre also provides regional mainstream and resource services through the Resource Teachers of the Deaf and Specialist Services.   Information and resources are available for sign language and  spoken language, literacy, deaf studies and other, information is available on their websites. Courses are provided for classroom teachers and families.

• Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland services those in the northern part of the North Island.  Find out more at www.kdec.school.nz
• Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch provides services to the remaining parts of the North Island and the whole of the South Island. Find out more at www.vanasch.school.nz

Ministry of Education Special Education Service

The Ministry of Education's Special Education Service has Advisors on Deaf Children working throughout New Zealand. They focus on newly diagnosed deaf children and their families as well as the community of people working around deaf children in schools. You can contact them through your local Ministry of Education office.

If you are wondering about the education of Deaf Children here in New Zealand check out these websites:
Group Special Education www.minedu.govt.nz

NZ Federation of Deaf Children

The NZ Federation of Deaf Children provides a wealth of support for parents of deaf children and their families. There are local parent groups throughout New Zealand. Find out more at www.deafchildren.org.nz

There is a very useful book for parents and children called The Family Book. Advisors on Deaf Children have copies available or you can download one here.  www.deafed.co.nz

NZSL Tool Kit for schools

The two organisations have developed a unique New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Tool Kit for schools, which is designed to encourage the next generation to learn one of the country's unique and official languages.

The NZSL Tool Kit is a comprehensive teaching programme available in two parts. Part One - Introductory was released in 2009 and proved to be an instant hit, with more than 170 education centres introducing it to their students.

Building on the success of this kit, Part Two - Intermediate will be released in time for this year's NZSL Week (2-8 May). Both kits feature a number of 45 minute lessons, following an easy to use and interactive DVD.

For more information, download the PDF Poster below and to register for NZSL Tool Kit, fill in the registration form below