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.
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.
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.
Youth Services
Deaf Aotearoa’s Youth service develops the potential of Deaf and hard-of-hearing youth as individuals and as a group, by providing:
- a transition programme to guide young people into work or study
- a youth intern programme
- activities to develop strong Deaf identities and leadership skills.
iSign
- 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.