The New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006 urges government departments and agencies to increase the accessibility of their services to deaf people through the use of New Zealand Sign Language.

Development and implementation of a New Zealand Sign Language interpreting policy can be useful for a department, so that there is consistent awareness of a deaf person's right to have an interpreter during meetings (whether staff or the public) throughout all levels of the organisation. It should also make clear responsibility for booking and paying for the interpreters.

Budgeting (including a budget for interpreting services) will be a crucial part of departmental policies around sign language interpreting.

Departments are expected to cover any costs from their baseline budgets as part of their general responsibilities to ensure the public can access and use their service. Interpreters should not be viewed as special add ons.

We suggest that you first check whether your department or agency has New Zealand Sign Language and/or interpreting policies in place. There may be a general interpreters and translators' policy, for example, that may be adapted to incorporate the specific needs of sign language interpreting.