LANGUAGE PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES
#SignPromotion – Seeing NZSL interpretation at government press conferences during the lockdown provided practical access to important information at a critical time, and enhanced the official language status of NZSL. Participants mentioned they noticed a positive change in attitudes towards them and their language from people at the supermarket or at the doctors, for instance. Being able to access live updates directly, rather than relying on others to tell them, gave participants confidence knowing that they were accessing information concurrently with other New Zealanders. It also meant that Deaf people could engage in discussions with hearing family members, friends and workmates, strengthening their respective relationships, rather than being left out or left behind in the rapidly evolving COVID-19 developments. However, many felt that there was very limited attention on the challenges of Deaf people during the pandemic. There were concerns that the interest and focus on NZSL interpreters, while very positive in one sense, also served to cast shade on Deaf people themselves who were largely ignored by the media. This highlights a lack of guidance around when and how NZSL interpreters and other non-Deaf professionals can step into the publicity spotlight appropriately. The Australian Sign Language Interpreters’ Association (ASLIA) has created a ‘Position Statement on Media Interviews on Interpreters’ and Darlene Thornton has created an Auslan Manifesto outlining ways to reflect on and protect the use of Auslan. New Zealand might want to consider developing something similar so that our means of access do not instead become barriers to recognition.
TECHNOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES
#DeafGain – Deaf people were quick to take-up (and adapt to) video conferencing and online video mediums. This became obvious when participating in video conferences where the majority were hearing participants. Deaf picked up on where to look on the screen and to adapt turn-taking techniques online; aspects they are used to navigating in the real world when using NZSL interpreters.
#DeafCulture – To keep the community united whilst going through a humanitarian crisis, Deaf people created and sought creative innovations to stay connected, informed and provide entertainment. People remained committed to Deaf cultural values online and utilised them in different ways through NZSL storytelling, exercising, crocheting, art lessons and blessings. ‘Deaf Positive NZ’, a Facebook group, scheduled regular livestreams with its high membership confirming a much bigger online Deaf community than previously assumed, revealing Deaf people who might otherwise never have made contact with the Deaf community, or others who have lost contact over the years. NZSL was visible and its beauty cherished and celebrated. Anecdotes were shared of a few Deaf Senior Citizens teaching themselves, with the online support of younger Deaf, how to use Zoom. Deaf joined nationwide online Deaf Club sessions, even when they would have not typically attended a face-to-face Friday night Deaf Club gathering. Zoom fatigue was mentioned!
#NZSLOnline – Participants mentioned an apparently huge increase of interest in the public learning NZSL online. This provides opportunities for a large number of people to learn NZSL basics and is of particular value to people living in remote or rural areas where access to live teaching is limited. Online learning during the lockdown was not without its unique challenges and limitations, not least of which is where learners try to mirror their tutor’s signing in a two-dimensional space. In general Deaf participants suggested that ‘face-to-face’ is the preferential mode for NZSL teaching and learning.
#NZSLBroadcasting – NZSL was put into the spotlight. There was increased coverage of NZSL interpreters and the increased access to live (and general) information has definitely been a positive effect of the pandemic.
#DeafConnection – The pandemic encouraged Deaf people from all walks of life to interact with each other and highlighted the rich diversity within our community. Deaf people invited friends to catch up online and remained connected. Deaf Clubs took nationwide initiatives to gather the Deaf community online where there were breakout rooms for Deaf participants to mingle with different people whom they might have rarely associated with previously. The Auckland Catholic Deaf group made their videos available nationally, including mass. The pandemic has been an advantage for those who have advocated for increased advantages of technology for improved accessibility and more cost-effective measures, attending online conferences, gatherings and webinars for new knowledge and broadening their minds.
#Access – With physical distancing rules in place, online services including video interpreting and counselling brought instant support into Deaf households at the click of a button. Tools such as Google Meet and Microsoft Teams enabled live speech to text captions, and began being used by Deaf employees at work meetings.
#LostOpportunity – There was disappointment expressed by participants about the postponement of NZSL Week from early May to late September which was considered a lost opportunity for NZSL to be taught and promoted online, considering most New Zealanders were at home and actively online during lockdown.
#DeafEducation was an issue that many participants hold close to their heart, as do the Deaf community in general. Deaf education’s initiative to showcase NZSL online during lockdown was applauded. It needs to be accessible via mainstream television as many people could not access Kordia TV. Many felt that despite the online initiatives, it still remains vital for deaf children to be educated together, face-to-face. Some felt that Deaf education institutions placed more value on parents’ views than the Deaf community, in relation to the Deaf education sector, when both should be valued equally. Many wanted stronger links between Deaf education and the Deaf community, and more face-to-face forums.
Opportunities – Recommendations:
The 2020 COVID nationwide lockdown gave us an opportunity to discover online learning and how NZSL can positively be promoted and preserved. We can continue this by:
- Sharing information online through forums, live streams and webinars, for instance, which gives opportunities for our community to learn and grow together. There are great opportunities for Deaf teaching other Deaf people their identity, Deaf Studies, Deafhood and Deaf cultural awareness within our communities.
- Online access services are beneficial in many ways and can be perceived as cost effective, however they should not automatically replace face-to-face services. Deaf people should be empowered to decide when and how online services replace live options.
- Prior to the pandemic some Deaf people struggled to convince employers to grant them video conferencing capacity, impairing their ability to access online resources and colleagues. The pandemic has altered this need for all staff, and levels of online access enjoyed by Deaf employees should be maintained (or improved if found lacking). In fact, due to having extensive experience, Deaf people can take the lead in teaching hearing people how to effectively facilitate online video conferences.
- Online teaching of NZSL should be supported as a viable means of reaching more learners of our language. While it is hard to fully replace the cultural experience of face to face learning of NZSL, the far wider potential audience for online learning boosted by the lockdowns, should not be dismissed, but rather examined for how it can be delivered positively and culturally.
NZSL was thrust into the spotlight with NZSL interpreters on TV and increased access to live information. This is an opportunity to:
- Promote and preserve NZSL and allow intergenerational transmission by making NZSL more visible in mainstream broadcast and online media, outside of education initiatives and NZSL Week.
- Ensure those with a media spotlight use it in agreed and considered ways to elevate Deaf people and enable them to be more visible in society.
- Working with the community to develop opportunities in the media. Create positive employment opportunities for Deaf i.e. using Deaf interpreters and representing Deaf people on television.
NZ Deaf Community: What do we want in a Post-COVID World? Working towards a stronger and kinder Deaf community. 