This week marks New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. It is also International Week of the Deaf, and was the UN International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September.
Shannon Morris is NZSL-native and a member of the Disability team for Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs.
Our Disability team work hard to ensure our disabled communities receive health information in ways that suit them. Read more about some of the projects the team have been working on to help our staff communicate more effectively with Deaf people.
Accessibility
Shannon has been translating key COVID-19 messages in videos on our website, as well providing other information for the Deaf community.
Interpreters
Team members are encouraging their colleagues to understand the importance of having qualified NZSL interpreters for Deaf people, by having an interpreter booked in person or via New Zealand Video Interpreting Services using iPads based at each hospital.
Resources
Accessing health services can be quite daunting if you are worried about not being able to communicate. The Disability Team has developed these cards for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to use when accessing health services.
These cards support Deaf people to communicate with other people, and make you aware of different ways to communicate with them. They can be downloaded from our website.
Healthline
GP
Afterhours
Hospital ED