Adams Paul: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — First Reading 
Adams Paul: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:618;Page:13783] 
PAUL ADAMS (United Future) 
: 
 I rise on behalf of United Future to speak in the first reading debate of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill a bill that directly affects the lives of 28000 New Zealanders who use this language and facilitates for them communication and participation in the daily rigours of life. Eight percent of the adult population in New Zealand is affected by some level of hearing impairment making it the third most common disability amongst adults. Most of us take for granted our good hearing and the ease with which we can access the benefits of information services employment recreation education and even the most basic human rights unhindered. 
The Deaf community and the Deaf Association of New Zealand have been seeking official recognition for their language for 20 years. The fundamental aim of the disability strategy is to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in society. It is fitting that this House officially recognise this language and that we congratulate those who have worked hard to assemble the first New Zealand Sign Language dictionary. In addition to a huge group of dedicated contributors and advisers I particularly wish to commend the editorial team who have made huge efforts to see this work come to fruition—general editor Graeme Kennedy; consulting editors David and Rachel McKee; graphic artist Shaun Fahey; technical editor David Moskovitz; and compilation editors Pat Dugdale and Richard Arnold who is the nephew of my United Future colleague Gordon Copeland. 
Why does this House need to officially recognise this language? To begin with whenever society mandates the participation of its citizens in some aspect of our life together—like attendance in court proceedings—we must make that participation equitable for everyone. To date court appearances have been at times a nightmare for the hearing impaired. It has not been uncommon for folk to be denied interpreters and there have been cases where disorderly conduct charges have been laid because the use of New Zealand Sign Language was misinterpreted as some sort of aggressive behaviour. 
One of the most exciting aspects about the fact that we have a distinctly New Zealand Sign Language is that it dovetails beautifully into the existing official Maori and English spoken languages. It has been developed so that it includes signs that express concepts from Maori culture and increases the likelihood of people being able to use New Zealand Sign Language at hui marae events and tangi. It has been tailor-made to express clearly many aspects of Kiwi mannerisms including our Kiwi sense of humour. There are many misconceptions about sign language that hopefully over time we will see disappear as its use becomes better integrated into every aspect of community life. 
Sign languages are not universal nor is Braille the universal written language of the blind. Braille is merely a coded version of the English language. Sign languages must of necessity relate directly to the language or languages spoken in the community. Sign languages are not sophisticated charades or mimes but are detailed visual languages capable of communicating a wide range of ideas and serving a wide range of purposes. 
United Future is very happy to support the first reading of this bill and looks forward to the select committee process and in particular to the addressing of the ongoing implications for the funding—and other resource issues—that will be required if this is to be seriously implemented.