10 February 2024
The Deaf community define themselves as a cultural and linguistic minority, rejecting the notion of disability or impairment. Deaf people are part of a complete culture and language with a different life experience. Because Deafness is not a disability, access rights to Deaf culture and language is more logically advanced through alternative policy portfolios, separate from disability policy.
Recognition of Deafness as a cultural and linguistic group
Deaf Aotearoa affirms that Deaf people consider themselves as a cultural and linguistic group who are not disabled if communication access is provided, primarily through the use of sign language. Deaf Aotearoa also affirms that cultural and linguistic rights are vital for Deaf people to live their best lives.
However, the rights of Deaf people to access their culture and language are currently advanced through disability policy and legislation, and international instruments that reference disability. This historical positioning is because of the (now outdated) medical model of disability which viewed Deafness in audiological terms as a deficit.
NZSL is an official language, on par with Te Reo Māori. Deaf Aotearoa recommends the Government recognises the Deaf community’s language needs and incorporates Deaf cultural viewpoints into policy in the same way as Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Māori are.
Affirmation of the WFD’s position statement
Deaf Aotearoa supports the World Federation of the Deaf’s position paper on this topic – accessed here: https://wfdeafnew.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/LM-and-D-Discussion-Paper-FINAL-included-IS-7-August-2019.pdf An excerpt of this document is as follows:
“Deaf communities around the world have long considered themselves as linguistic and cultural groups, and are characterised by a great diversity of national and regional sign languages around the world. Sign languages are natural, highly complex natural languages with full expressive capacity, with their own grammar, lexicon, humour and associated performance forms. Yet the rights of deaf people around the world are largely assured through disability policy, legislation and international instruments, as distinct from legislation and international instruments that recognise the linguistic and cultural status of deaf people. It has been the experience of many deaf people around the world that sign languages have been seen as inferior to spoken languages, and deaf people are seen through the medical and deficit model”.
Deaf Aotearoa encourages government officials and civil society to view Deaf people through a human rights lens and act accordingly. Considering Deafness through the medical and deficit model is longer acceptable practice.
This means acknowledging and understanding that:
- Deafness is a natural part of human diversity that must be respected and supported
- Deaf people have the same rights as everyone else in society
- Deafness must not be used as an excuse to deny or restrict Deaf people’s rights.
Deaf people are often treated like second class citizens or even as if they have an intellectual disability. Incorporating the above values into government policy and services will make a significant difference to the attitudes towards Deaf people. Government has a crucial role to play in building positive awareness of Deaf people and their culture to end discrimination and bias.
Continuing to access technology and environmental supports via disability policy and support services
This position statement is about emphasising the importance of accessing and growing Deaf culture and language through a non-disability lens.
Deaf Aotearoa acknowledges that Deaf people may require equipment to assist with day to day living, such as hearing aids, hearing assist dogs, visual alarm systems etc, and that this should continue to be provided via existing pathways. We are not suggesting shifting these elements from their current settings.
Duality of approach
Deaf Aotearoa acknowledges the duality of a) considering Deaf culture and language through a human rights lens and b) the provision of technology and environmental supports through traditional disability service delivery pathways.
We affirm that both approaches can co-exist and are not mutually exclusive. In fact, we consider that service delivery, despite existing within disability settings, must also use a human rights approach to achieve the best outcomes for all Deaf people, whether they identify with Deaf culture and language or not.
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