2022 NZSL Community Grant fund recipients

Eight NZSL community projects have been approved for grants from the NZSL Fund, totalling $213,661.50. A wide range of community groups, from Deaf clubs and parent groups, will complete projects that:

• promote opportunities for Deaf children and adults to learn and use NZSL together
• document NZSL through archiving or video recordings.

Successful projects

Auckland Parent of Deaf Children biennial camp - $50,000

The 2023 APODC Family Camp will provide an NZSL interactive learning experience for approximately 35 families and whanau from across Auckland. Camp promotes inclusivity, engagement, community connection and provides our whanau with the opportunity to meet new friends, learn and share and for our children to come together in a unique environment specially created to meet their needs.

NZSL teaching in Southland by the Southland Deaf Community Inc - $15,000

Teaching the Invercargill and Southland community about Deaf culture, identity and NZSL.

Wellington Deaf Society (WDS) Digitisation Project - $38,550

Digitise Wellington Deaf Society materials such as club newsletters, board minutes/reports, newspapers articles, photographs, to other significant written documentation dated from 1940s onwards including filming members memories of some events.

A Taste of NZSL: Deaf Wellbeing Society - $32,000

A series of films exploring the different and unique lives of Deaf New Zealanders.  These will provide the opportunity for all Deaf to learn more about themselves, to gain greater confidence, to be proud of their identity and culture, and history.

Deaf Wellbeing Society believe the preparing of a meal is a universal practice that is filled with celebration and love. It is the perfect time to bring together different Deaf people to learn about each other while preparing a feast to share.  

Deaf Wellbeing Drop-In Centre: Deaf Wellbeing Society - $32,469

Provide a space that allows the Auckland Deaf community to experience and express themselves artistically in a safe environment.

NZSL Advisory Group: Kara Technologies Ltd - $10,000

An advisory group will be set up to guide Kara Tech in their development of signing Avatars.  The group will ensure that developments meet the needs Deaf Community and NZSL users’ needs without comprising culture or/and language. 

Manawatu Deaf Society events:  Manawatu Deaf Society - $20,000

Celebrating the club’s 60th anniversary and to bring the young and the old Deaf together to celebrate a milestone. At the same time, hearing stories from the older members so that they can be documented to keep for the next 40 years to show at the 100^th year celebrations.

Wellington NZSL Youth Development Programme: Wellington Deaf Society - $15,642.50

Bring Deaf youth and other NZSL youth together from across Wellington in social and skill building events/activities to develop NZSL skills, competency, and confidence amongst Deaf and hearing youth.