What We Do

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:

  1. needs assessment and coordination
  2. applications for assistive equipment
  3. 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.