“The freedom to sign is our freedom of expression”
The New Zealand Sign Language Act was passed in April 2006, making New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) New Zealand’s third official language. NZSL was celebrated for the first time in 2007 and we are looking forward to another great week this 5th – 11th May 2008.
Our aim for NZSL Week is to focus on language and communication. There are over 24,000 people in New Zealand who use NZSL as their first official language and we want to celebrate this. We want to educate the New Zealand public about NZSL and Deaf culture.
NZSL Week will be launched in the Grand Hall in Parliament on Monday 5th May and NZSL events will take place throughout the country during the week. There will be NZSL Taster classes, Signathons, an Art Auction and awards for NZSL friendly retailers and employers presented at a Gala Dinner on Saturday 10th May 2008.
For full details on what is happening during New Zealand Sign Language Week, check out www.nzsign.co.nz.
We have books, DVDs and videos on New Zealand Sign Language in our library.