Adult and Community Education (ACE): Empowering Deaf Learners Nationwide
DThis year was one of connection and growth for the Adults and Seniors team, who supported 814 Deaf learners across Aotearoa through 98 ACE workshops from Northland to Invercargill. These workshops offered practical, relevant, and empowering learning opportunities that strengthened confidence, well-being, and community leadership.
The programme covered a diverse range of topics, from car maintenance, Deaf leadership, and Māori-focused learning to healthy eating and age-related subjects such as Wills and how to live Better Later Lives. Each course aimed to build both individual skills and collective resilience, ensuring that learning remained grounded in Deaf experience and accessible communication.
A highlight this year was having Deaf tutors lead several courses, this was an important step toward strengthening Deaf leadership and self-determination. The involvement of Deaf tutors embodies the vision of ACE, learning by Deaf people, for Deaf people, and creates pathways for future Deaf educators and mentors.
Collaboration with ACE Aotearoa continued to grow, with Deaf Aotearoa featured in the ACE Aotearoa Spring 2025 Newsletter. The article, available with NZSL translation, highlights our approach to inclusive adult education and showcases Deaf leadership in lifelong learning.
Workshops that Made an Impact
Car Maintenance – Hawke’s Bay
Learners gained hands-on skills to maintain and repair their vehicles.
Feedback included:
“I really enjoyed learning with the car mechanic. Thank you for this great opportunity.”
“Amazing, I loved it.”
“Good and interesting.”
Living Well – Eating Healthy Pastry – Auckland
A practical, fun session on cooking and nutrition.
Feedback included:
“Very interesting, I’ll make it in future. Love it!”
“Lots of fun, learnt a lot.”
“Great course, will make it at home.”
Planning for Later Life – Nelson
Facilitated by our Adults and Seniors Lead, Victoria Green, this workshop helped participants prepare for retirement and later life.
Feedback included:
“Excellent and very good.”
“Great to learn for the future, prepare for retirement.”
“Keep the workshops coming. Sharing Deaf experiences and learning together is valuable. Thank you.”
The ACE programme continues to grow in strength and participation, connecting Deaf adults across generations through learning, shared experiences, and community pride. We are excited to host more workshops throughout the rest of this year and into the next. To learn more about upcoming workshops, visit our website and check out the ACE Aotearoa Spring 2025 Newsletter which has a feature article highlighting our work.
