I Am Deaf – Let’s Talk

New Zealand Sign Language Week 2-8 May 2011

This year marks the fifth annual New Zealand Sign Language Week.

Organised by Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand, the week promotes NZSL as an official language and raises awareness about the Deaf community and the barriers which stop its members from taking part in society.

 This NZSL Week, Deaf Aotearoa wants all New Zealanders to embrace sign language and be able to recognise simple everyday signs by the end of the week.

• Learn @ Home – helping families to learn specific, practical, everyday signs, particularly those families with Deaf children/young children. 
• Learn @ Work –introducing workplaces to specific signs.  Awareness of NZSL and Deaf culture greatly assists in breaking down barriers, removing stigmas and increasing the ease of access to services and employment for Deaf.
• Learn @ Play –reaching everyday New Zealanders to raise awareness of NZSL.  By educating and increasing access through NZSL to a range of different social situations, Deaf will be able to participate more freely in their mainstream local communities.

There will be a range of national and regional events, school-based activities, free sign language classes and regional/national business awards held throughout NZSL Week.