Sign for Health: Advancing Accessibility for a Better Deaf Community Inclusion

Deaf Way NZ

Think Human Fund

Mission & History

Founded in 2003, Deaf Way NZ addresses challenges faced by Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in New Zealand. The organization advocates for equal access to services and opportunities, focusing on education, healthcare, and community engagement, while promoting Deaf culture and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Deaf Way NZ’s mission is to improve accessibility and inclusion for Deaf and hard of hearing New Zealanders through education and awareness. By offering interactive courses on NZSL, Deaf culture, and effective use of interpreters, the organization aims to empower the Deaf community and enhance societal participation.

Country Information

New Zealand, with a population of approximately 5.1 million, has over 880,000 individuals affected by hearing loss. Among these, the indigenous Māori people are disproportionately represented, facing higher rates of hearing loss compared to other groups.

The Need

There is a significant social need to address inequities faced by the Deaf and hard of hearing community in New Zealand. Challenges include a lack of awareness and understanding of effective communication, which affects access to health services, education, workplaces, and community support. Issues such as inadequate interpreter booking and misunderstandings regarding English literacy levels exacerbate these problems. The Deaf and hard of hearing community, including Māori Deaf individuals, often experience barriers to accessing essential services and fully participating in society.

The Project We Fund

This project aims to enhance accessibility and inclusion for Deaf and hard of hearing New Zealanders through the following initiatives:
– Online Interactive Courses: Providing free, self-paced online courses on New Zealand Sign Language, Deaf culture, and the effective use of interpreters.
– Empowerment and Advocacy: Equipping the Deaf community with self-advocacy skills to understand and assert their rights.
– Course Development: Collaborating with the Deaf community and organizations to develop and offer additional courses on Deaf culture and global sign languages, available for free on the Deaf Way NZ website.

The Result

Deaf Way NZ will implement analytics to track course completion rates and gather feedback from participants. The feedback functions will collect demographic information, such as employment status, ethnicity, and gender, to better understand the impact of the courses. Progress will be monitored against established targets to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement.

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