Danni Darrah explains the latest news on New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and what this means for its community.
Last Thursday (25th February 2021) saw a huge amount of progress occur in the inclusion of Sign Language for the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in New Zealand. Approximately 6000 people in New Zealand use Sign Language and for a large majority of this number, NZSL is their first language. Deaf consultant, Theresa Cooper, saw that these changes would come about after she realised the lack of accessibility in museums and the consequent inability for the community to engage with the interactive sites of education and knowledge.
Cooper said, “It's my dream to see the sign language community feel safe and be able to visit spaces, and take part in learning as part of their social wellbeing in society. If they can't [engage], what are the galleries here for?"
"be able to visit spaces, and take part in learning as part of their social wellbeing"
The guide has been created to be accessed on a phone or tablet and is entirely free for the user. It has been made in video form to be watched via the website platform or alternatively, individuals can access it on YouTube. Although only a limited number of museums have been currently interpreted into Sign Language, this is step forward to alleviate the frustration of not being able to join in.
This idea of virtual guides makes it easier and far more efficient for everyone to enjoy the day at the museum. Several countries elsewhere, such as Belgium and the United Kingdom, have explored their accessibility options too. Amsterdam now gives face-to-face Sign Language tours and Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) in Exeter have created videos in partnership with Heritage Ability to educate on the history of Roman Exeter!
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