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The 2020 COVID-19 lockdown provided space to openly discuss, as the title of this document suggests, “New Zealand Deaf Community: What do we want in a Post-COVID World? Working towards a stronger and kinder Deaf community.”

Discussions were held with a diverse range of Deaf community members over the duration of the lockdown. The purpose of these discussions was to try and capture opportunities for learning from a time when the Deaf community, along with everyone else, was experiencing a moment of great challenge. While such moments are always difficult, they also present an opportunity, a ‘stress-test’ to see where things are working well and where they might need to be handled differently.

Participants reported that these discussions helped them feel validated in appreciating that they were not alone in their thoughts and goals for the New Zealand Deaf community. We valued those discussions and the participants’ time and willingness to contribute. We value the trust placed in us and the processes of developing recommendations for a stronger and kinder Deaf community in New Zealand. 

This document draws on those discussions. We have highlighted topics that were recurring themes throughout the sessions. For ease of reading they have been grouped into three main categories: Access, Leadership and Opportunities.

It is our hope that individuals, groups and organisations will embrace and continue this discussion towards achieving balance and wellbeing for the New Zealand Deaf community.

New Zealand Deaf can come together. 

New Zealand Deaf can support each other. 

New Zealand Deaf have shown that we are resilient. 

New Zealand Deaf can and must work towards a stronger and kinder Deaf community.

Acknowledgements

We are Pākehā Deaf women. 
We are between 30 – 50 years old. 
Three of us have grown up in Tāmaki Makaurau.
We have grown up with access to sign language.

We want to acknowledge that these factors may colour and/or influence the contents of this report. We have aimed to pass on the views of the participants in the discussion to the best of our ability. It is important not to target or criticise the people that were involved in this discussion. This was a time and a space for people to have an honest discussion at the present point in time.

We want to acknowledge Deaf leaders – past, present and future.

If it was not for the Deaf people and leaders before us, their struggles and collective experience which gave birth to and nurtured our unique language, NZSL, we would not be having these discussions. We remember you. To current Deaf leaders fighting for a better tomorrow, you have our support. To emerging and future Deaf leaders, we believe in you.

Released February 2021.