Children & Youth Report
It has been a busy and exciting year for the Children and Youth team. We have continued to provide our First Signs service to families across Aotearoa, supporting them to learn and use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) in everyday life and to see the world through their Deaf child’s eyes.
Through ongoing reflection and improvement, we have adapted to meet the diverse needs of families by delivering services in a range of formats, including in-home visits, online sessions, playgroups, and family gatherings. Across all of these, the focus remains the same: empowering families to communicate confidently in NZSL and to nurture a strong sense of Deaf identity from the very beginning.
Advocacy and Representation
This year, our team was privileged to represent Deaf Aotearoa at several key events both nationally and internationally, each closely aligned with our mission to advance the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of Deaf children and their families. These opportunities allowed us to share our expertise and strengthen advocacy for meaningful early access to NZSL and Deaf culture.
We presented at the NZSL Teachers Association (NZSLTA) Conference in Northland, the Eisdell Moore Symposium in Auckland, and the Coalition for Global Hearing Health Conference in Wellington.
A major highlight was Bridget and Natasha presenting at the 24th International Congress of the Education of the Deaf in Rome. The congress opened with a historic acknowledgment of the harm caused by the 1880 Milan Congress, which mandated oralism and excluded sign language from Deaf education. Recognising this history remains central to our advocacy, reminding us of the resilience of the Deaf community and the ongoing importance of restoring and protecting NZSL access for Deaf children.
Our involvement in these events, grounded in history, practice, and lived experience, continues to shape our approach to advocacy and service development. By honouring the lessons of the past and uplifting the voices of today’s families, Deaf Aotearoa remains steadfast in its commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future for Deaf children and youth.
The Power of Connection
Another memorable moment this year was The Power of Connection event hosted by The Hearing House at Parliament. We were honoured to join this celebration of language and connection. Our Manager, Natasha Cloete, delivered a moving speech, and it was inspiring to see young Deaf people share their experiences of growing up Deaf, using cochlear implants, and reflecting on how First Signs supported their early years.
Voices from Families
Families continue to share positive feedback about the impact of the First Signs service:
“We use NZSL during daily routines like mealtimes, getting ready, and reading books. It’s a fun and interactive way to learn.”
“We love having our facilitator visit. Our son is excited to see someone outside the family who uses signs. It helps him feel proud of who he is.”
Looking Ahead
We are proud of what has been achieved this year, but there is still more work to be done. We continue to advocate to end language deprivation and to improve access to education in NZSL. Our complaint to the Ombudsman regarding Deaf education remains ongoing, and we are committed to seeing meaningful progress in this area.
Our work provides families with a bridge to NZSL and the Deaf community, and we are deeply grateful to the families who walk this journey with us. Together, we are shaping a future where every Deaf child can grow up proud, connected, and fluent in their language.
