Deaf Aotearoa

🚀🎙️ Get ready for an electrifying Episode #2 of 'Kōrero With Jon'! We're beyond excited to welcome Emilo, President of the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, to join Jon for a compelling conversation 🌏🙌 Watch as Emilo shares his incredible journey as WFDYS President, dives into his experiences learning New Zealand Sign Language, and gives us the scoop on whether Aotearoa has the edge over Australia! 🤭🇳🇿🇦🇺 Plus, find out what advice he has for the Deaf community and how he rates the friendliness of Kiwis! 😄💬 Don’t miss out—watch the full episode on Thursday 1st August 2024! #AccessibleVidcast #DeafCommunity #NZSL #JonTaiRakena #KōreroWithJon

During our collaborative efforts between Deaf Aotearoa and DeafHealth, we learned several signs! Can you spot the similarities? 🤟 Stay Informed in ASL: We’ve got you covered! Sign up with your email at https://lnkd.in/e6AAs9bk or follow us on social media for new and current health updates. #ASL #NZSL #Learn . . . #LearnFromDeafPeople #ASL #Deaf #AmericanSignLanguage #SignLanguage #DeafEcosystem #DeafAwareness #DeafCommunity #DeafPride #DeafCulture #DeafWellness #Communication #Health #Access #ASLVideos #DeafHealth [Video Description: The post has an image of one man and one woman sitting on the chair with blue shading overlaid. The middle has a text bubble that reads “Learn NZSL and ASL” in white text with rose background. In the video: The woman signs ASL and the Man signs NZSL. They take turns signing each word to show the differences between the two sign languages. The words shown are: “Deaf can, health, access, commitment, facetime, Deaf Bing/Bubbah, stop taking/quiet, interesting, emergency, where, what, doctor, interpreter, advocacy, help, and community.”

🌟 Are you ready to be a future NZSL hero? Are you Deaf and use NZSL? 🌟 Being a hero is so much more than photoshoots and media interviews—it's about shining a spotlight on NZSL and Deaf Culture! 🎉 If you're passionate and excited about making a difference, we want YOU! 🙌 Submit your expression of interest for 2025-2026 here: https://lnkd.in/gcftBG_a or go to our website nzslweek.org.nz. Deadline is 30 September 2024. Jon Tai-Rakena can't wait to pass the baton to you! Let's make NZSL Week 2025 unforgettable! 💙 #NZSLWeek #FutureNZSLWeekHero #HandsUp #CelebrateNZSL

The Global Centre of Possibility are holding a special fundraising event next month on the 14th August in Auckland. It’s a little bit like dragons den, where three social entrepreneurs (all of them access citizens, and two of whom are legally blind) are pitching their work to a room full of donors. Are you WITH us? Our theme of the night, “WITH”, stands as a beacon of hope and unity, rallying us to support equity for the access community. Discover the power of ‘with’ by joining a generous giving collective in support of Minnie Baragwanath, Chantelle Griffiths and Sean Winterbottom Donate with purpose To attend, all you need to do is donate $100 via Givealittle. Upon arrival, you’ll receive two pledge tokens worth $50 each. Brace yourself for an evening of inspiration where each access innovator will pitch their mission, vision, and impact. And then, the choice is yours – channel your generosity to the idea that resonates with your heart and experience first-hand how the power of 10×10 can drive positive social impact. https://lnkd.in/gZWWZCgE

🔦 Supporter Spotlight 🔦 This November Aria is taking part in the @AucklandMarathon, running for Deaf Aotearoa 🙌 Aria approached us earlier this year to let us know that she will be running in the Auckland Marathon because she wants to help raise awareness and funds for Deaf Aotearoa. Her run and support for Deaf Aotearoa is inspired by her late Grandmother, Elizabeth Maree Carroll, a pioneer in the Deaf Community in New Zealand 💖 Aria is doing incredible with her fundraising, you can check it out here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gKfkzf9Y thank you Aria, your support will help ensure that Deaf people receive full access! Do you want to join Aria? You can take part in the Auckland Marathon and walk/run for Deaf Aotearoa too, sign up here, join the Deaf Aotearoa team and we’ll support you along the way 👉 https://lnkd.in/grgKm8jR You don’t have to do it alone! Rally your friends, your family or your workmates so you can do it together! If you enter before midnight 1 August you’ll get the early bird pricing! Get in quick before the prices rise! Not in Auckland or maybe you’re up for a bit of biking instead? Watch this space, we’ll let you know some other ways you can get active and support Deaf Aotearoa at the same time soon 🤩 #AucklandMarathon #TaketotheStreets #ConquerTheBridge #RunTheCity #DeafAotearoa

😀 Staff Spotlight 👋 Kia ora to Kellie Bowman! TRANSCRIPT: Hi, my name is Kellie Bowman. My sign name is this because 15 years ago, while I was studying at Victoria University, my tutor Mark Berry gave it to me. He chose it because my hair was yellow, but not anymore! I work at Deaf Aotearoa as an HR Manager and have been here for 5 months. I'm based in the Lower Hutt (Wellington) office. I live in Newlands with my 20-year-old son. Before Deaf Aotearoa, I worked at BCITO for 2 years, also in an HR role. On weekends, I enjoy baking and sharing the treats with my parents. I also visit family and friends, go on walks, and on Saturday mornings, I go to the gym and have coffee with my friends. Thank you, bye! #deafaotearoa #nzsl #staffspotlight

Auckland Transport are running a pilot on New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and captioned safety videos at Waitematā/Britomart Train Station and The Downtown Ferry Terminal and are seeking feedback from the Deaf and hard of hearing community. As part of Auckland Transport's mission to enable and deliver an effective, efficient and safe transport system, the feedback received from the pilot is important to determine whether this initiative could be rolled out across the network. Auckland Transport are seeking input from the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Please take a moment to complete the short questionnaire. Your feedback will guide us in advising Auckland Transport on the importance of NZSL and captioned safety messages at transport venues like train stations and ferry terminals. Link to survey: https://lnkd.in/gck9MTyt

Our New Zealand Sign Language Week gang reunited… 🤟🏾 but we missed you Maria Foy! Nice to catch up at MediaWorks NZ for some great filming for Deaf Aotearoa with, Jon Tai-Rakena, Brad Watson and Erica Dawson. We’re excited to see the final product. You all did amazing! #deafaotearoa #filming #media #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #publicrelations #deaf #radio #mediaworks

Victoria Manning, MNZM provides an update from Chicago, USA, on what the World Federation of the Deaf has been doing lately! TRANSCRIPT: Hi NZ, Aotearoa! I'm here in Chicago, America, for the WFD Board meeting. It’s been five days, and we’ve covered a lot. Now, we're done! We discussed various topics, including updates from the WFD Secretary and staff, reports and issues from OMs (Deaf associations that are WFD members), and the recent activities of regional Secretariats. We also reviewed plans for the WFD Secretary and staff for the next four years and talked about the upcoming conference in Kenya in 2025! That's a wrap. I could explain more, but I'll keep it brief! Exciting times ahead... #DeafAotearoa #WFD #Deaf #Leadership #Advocacy #NZSL

Deaf Aotearoa wish to honour Stephanie Āwheto after the news of her passing - Stephanie was a pioneering trilingual interpreter and advocate for the Turi Māori community. This year, she was honoured with the prestigious Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Rotarota award, recognising her lifetime of service. Stephanie's lifelong dedication to bridging communication gaps between NZSL, te reo Māori, and English began with her work alongside the late Patrick Wikiriwhi Thompson. She became Aotearoa New Zealand’s first trilingual interpreter and tirelessly supported Turi Māori, providing access to cultural ceremonies and significant national events. Stephanie also mentored new interpreters, developed Māori sign concepts, and played a crucial role in the relationships between SLIANZ and Māori NZSL interpreters. Her legacy will be remembered and honoured. Kua haere ia ki tōna moenga roa.