Whangārei interpreter urges locals to learn sign language

Deaf Aotearoa Whangarei's facilitator Glennis Walkinshaw, sign language tutor and Northland's first newly-qualified deaf teacher Alana Best and sign language interpreter Beryl Harrison.

Sign language is gathering momentum around the country after being cast into the spotlight during the daily Covid updates and a Whangārei interpreter is urging locals to jump on board.

This week marks New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week – postponed from its usual May date, due to Covid, to coincide with International Week of the Deaf and International Day of Sign Language.

With the Northland deaf community comprising around 200, Deaf Aotearoa (former New Zealand Association of the Deaf (NZAD) sign language interpreter Beryl Harrison said the deaf community would appreciate people making an effort to learn basic signs.

"Basic sign language is so easy to learn. Deaf people love it when you make an effort."

She said interest had piqued during lockdown when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Dr Ashley Bloomfield's daily updates were accompanied by a sign language interpreter.

"It's also increasing because of access to tutors and online tutoring."

Part of Deaf Aotearoa's service is to promote and support the use of NZSL, including encouraging the use of interpreters and learning NZSL. And due to newborn screening, deaf and hard-of-hearing children aged 0-5 are now picked up, leading to the development of Deaf Aotearoa's First Signs service bringing support and sign language into the home.

"It is a huge initiative," said Harrison. "It means that they are getting language from the start unlike many of the deaf older generation who were dissuaded from using sign language with many now having low literacy levels as a result."

Jennifer and Ken Brain are presented with Longstanding Service Awards by Deaf Aotearoa chief executive Lachlan Keating

Whangārei's Deaf Aotearoa marked the week by presenting two local esteemed deaf community leaders with Longstanding Service Awards. Chief executive Lachlan Keating and local members of the deaf community paid tribute to husband and wife Jennifer and Ken Brain and said their enormous work was held in high regard around the country.

Ken was born deaf and, 45 years ago was behind the establishment of NZAD, becoming the secretary and later an honorary vice president. He was also one of the first editorial staff of the NZ Deaf News, later becoming editor and employed many deaf people in his upholstery business.

Ken said the times were very different to today with no support for deaf people, including interpreters, sub-titles, official sign language or technology.

His wife Jennifer, also born deaf, and, following many other roles, became CEO of Deaf Aotearoa. She worked as a social worker in an educational establishment for the deaf and hearing impaired, later becoming deaf resource co-ordinator. Her significant achievements included development of NZSL tutor training, the NZSL Dictionary, developing training for sign language interpreters, community leadership and developing Deaf Awareness Week.

Jennifer said her biggest "yahoo" occurred at the end of her career when sign language became an official language of New Zealand in 2006 alongside English and Māori.

Around 20,000 New Zealanders use sign language with the majority of that figure comprising support people for the deaf. Each country has its own sign language with New Zealand incorporating te reo Māori.

Deaf Aotearoa Whangārei facilitator Glennis Walkinshaw said the pandemic was particularly confusing for the deaf community.

"It was general confusion for everyone but, for our deaf community, it was worse, not being able to completely understand and with new rules, they were relying solely on visuals."

She added that part of the culture for deaf people is that they like to hug so not being able to do so during the various Covid-19 restriction levels was hard.

Helpful websites include: www.nzsl.nz, www.learnnzsl.nz, www.nzslsignninja.co.nz and www.firstsigns.co.nz.