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Upcoming events
Events
Planning your Future – Understanding Legal Documents and Aotearoa Disability Law (Session Two)
Manawatū Deaf Society 55b Totara Road, Awapuni, Palmerston North, New ZealandSession 1 – What is ADL – Auckland Disability Law? Why is it important to have service like this? What kind of service for they offers? What can they do for people with disabilities, Deaf plus more. How much does is cost to use their service? Session 2 – Bring ... Read more
Digital Skills – Sewing Technology – Dunedin
Stitch Witches & Bernina Dunedin 193 Hanover Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin, New ZealandWhat You'll Learn in the Workshop How to use a digital technology sewing machine. Foundation skills for learning and development. Literacy, numeracy, and measurement skills. Understanding how things are made and creating your own projects. What to Bring Please bring your own lunch.
Your Family Journey: Pregnancy and Parenthood – Auckland
Auckland Deaf Society 16 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough, Auckland, New ZealandSupport for Deaf Families During Pregnancy and Early Parenthood Presenters from Te Whatu Ora, Plunket, and Oranga Tamariki will share information about available services, your rights, and support for you and your family's wellbeing. Te Whatu Ora The role of midwives and pregnancy care Support services and preparing for birth ... Read more
Planning for future: Healthy Eating & Healthy ageing – Christchurch
Deaf Society of Canterbury Inc 80 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch, New ZealandWorkshop 1 - Wednesday, 21st October Healthy eating habits Breakfast ideas & tasting Whole foods vs processed foods (activity) Healthy Plate Model Sugar, fibre & wholegrains (activity) Healthy food choices Workshop 2 - Wednesday, 28th October Staying hydrated Managing stress Better sleep Physical activity Mindful eating (activity) Soup or salad ... Read more
Driving Skills – Staying Safe A Refresher Course for Older Drivers – Christchurch
Deaf Society of Canterbury Inc 80 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch, New ZealandWe will be having Charlie from Aged Concerns to talk to you about how to keep you safe on the road and you will have received some resources & certificate. * Have you had your licence for a long time but never refresh your Road Code rules? * Want to ... Read more
Planning for future: Healthy Eating & Healthy ageing – Christchurch
Deaf Society of Canterbury Inc 80 Fitzgerald Ave, Christchurch, New ZealandWorkshop 1 - Wednesday, 21st October Healthy eating habits Breakfast ideas & tasting Whole foods vs processed foods (activity) Healthy Plate Model Sugar, fibre & wholegrains (activity) Healthy food choices Workshop 2 - Wednesday, 28th October Staying hydrated Managing stress Better sleep Physical activity Mindful eating (activity) Soup or salad ... Read more
Digital Skill – Map to Online Business – Auckland (Workshop #1 & 2)
Deaf Aotearoa South Auckland 19B Ronwood Ave, Manukau, New ZealandWant to sell things online? Our Online Business Map can help you get started. Learn about: Starting an online business Selling and shipping products Getting paid online Promoting your business Keeping information safe and secure Please bring: Your own laptop (fully charged and able to connect to the internet) Your ... Read more
Artificial Intelligence – AI
Southland Deaf Club Glengarry Crescent, Invercargill, Southland, New ZealandAI is being used worldwide and is getting more popular. Join us to find out what AI generators are and how people are using them. Focus Areas: Understanding how young people learn and use technology Practical tips for using new tools and methods effectively Please bring your mobile phone for ... Read more
Mental Health First Aid and Gut Health – Northland
NZSL Club Trust - Northland 4 Rust Avenue, Whangārei, Whangarei, New ZealandMorning: Mental Health First Aid Learn how to help someone who is having mental health problems until they can get help from a doctor or emergency service. This training is about mental health first aid, not physical first aid like CPR. Afternoon: Gut Health Learn how to keep your gut ... Read more
Māori Practical Skills Cultural Connection – Bay of Plenty
Ahipoutu Collective 37 Waikari Road Matapihi, Tauranga, New ZealandLearn about 5 areas of Māori practical skills: Practical understanding of Te Reo Māori language and concepts Cultural literacy and confidence building Visual learning and creative expression Identity, belonging, and relationship building Participation, self-expression, and connection Morning tea will be provided. Please bring your own lunch. For more information, please ... Read more
Digital Skills – Internet Security Safety Online – Waikato
Chartwell Cooperating Church 126 Comries Road,, HamiltonLearn how to stay safe online. This workshop will help you protect your personal information, devices, and wellbeing when using the internet. You will learn about: What digital safety is Why digital safety is important How to use digital tools safely Understanding online risks Protecting your personal information and online ... Read more
Breast Cancer Awareness – Wellington
Deaf Aotearoa Lower Hutt Level 2/65 Waterloo Road, Hutt Central, WellingtonJoin us to learn about breast health, breast cancer awareness, and the importance of early detection. Learn about: Knowing what is normal for your breasts and spotting changes How to do a breast self-check using breast models Mammograms and breast screening Breast cancer risk factors and prevention Support available from ... Read more
What we do
Deaf Aotearoa is a national organisation representing the voice of Deaf people, and the national service provider for Deaf people in New Zealand.
Deaf Aotearoa also works closely with Deaf communities, government agencies and other organisations to increase awareness, promote New Zealand Sign Language and strengthen the rights of Deaf people.
Deaf Aotearoa is one of 133 ordinary members of the World Federation of the Deaf and is also the New Zealand representative.
Information in Sign Language
The government has stated that a new and innovative approach is needed to meaningfully improve accessibility in New Zealand.
Here you will find some of the work from Government Agencies and Government Ministries in NZSL, as part of their commitment to ensuring that Disabled people have access to vital information.
Latest NZSL Translations
Our Services
Deaf Aotearoa delivers flexible and responsive services which accommodates the Deaf community’s needs. We provide knowledge, information, resources and skills. With these, Deaf people are able to independently manage events in their own lives.
Deaf Aotearoa works with government agencies, businesses and other organisations to provide information and resources on life for Deaf New Zealanders, the Deaf community and NZSL.
Deaf Aotearoa delivers key services to the Deaf community, in line with the objectives defined in the Strategic Direction.
These services are designed to ensure Deaf people can achieve their goals at any stage in life, from birth onwards.
Adults and Seniors
Hauora
Deaf Aotearoa’s Hauora* service is a nationwide service that understands and responds to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people’s needs.
The Hauora service offers:
- needs assessment and coordination
- applications for assistive equipment
- information and advice.
*Hauora is an holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is a Māori concept that views wellbeing as a combination of physical health, emotional/mental health, being socially healthy, and being spiritually healthy.
Adults and Seniors
Employment
Deaf Aotearoa’s Employment service is a nationwide service focused on getting Deaf and hard-of-hearing people into successful employment.
It includes pre-employment support and in-work support for both the Deaf person and employers.
The Employment service offers support for:
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to get a job
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to remain in their job
- employers to understand more about employing Deaf people, including information on Deaf culture and funding for New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters in the workplace.
Children and Youth
First Signs
A nationwide Deaf Aotearoa service for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children aged 0-5, supporting families and whānau with:
- Learning New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)
- Language development
- Learning about being Deaf/hard-of-hearing in Aotearoa
- Connecting with other families and Deaf role models.
First Signs brings NZSL into the home and family/whānau environments, making learning NZSL fun.
iSign Interpreting Service
iSign enables access and participation for Deaf people by providing professional and confidential New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreting services.
iSign is a nationwide service enabling effective communication between Deaf and hearing people.
iSign matches job requests with available and appropriate interpreters throughout New Zealand.
iSign contracts more than 80 qualified interpreters who are all members of their professional body, ensuring a confidential and professional service.
Funding is available to cover a wide range of interpreting service jobs.
iSign staff can advise on available sources of funding. Funding information is also available on the ‘How it Works/Who Pays?’ page of the iSign website.
