Deaf are helped

Deaf are helped

The Wellington field office for the deaf was established 12 months ago to provide help and support for profoundly deaf, born-deaf and other hearing-impaired people.

Its services include supplying information and counselling, advising and interpreting for deaf people in all kinds of situations.

The Field Officer, Mrs Pat Dugdale, is deaf herself and able to communicate with those of the deaf who have speech problems, while the Assistant Field Officer, Ms Heather Thomson, has normal hearing. Together they provide liaison between the deaf and the agencies and services, such as the Department of Labour and the Housing Corporation, where some deaf people might be unable to make themselves understood.

The Field Office is also playing its part in other developments of interest to deaf people, such as the spread of total communication and the growing importance of the Wellington Deaf Society.

For information about these, or any other matters or problems connected with deafness, please ring Heather on 736-921, or write to the Field Officer for the Deaf, Box 837, Wellington. The office, Room 328, Third Floor, D.I.C. Building, Lambton Quay, is open from 9 to 5 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 to 1.30 on Fridays.

Can you help?

NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Tony Walton on Building a More Accessible Deaf Aotearoa

Tony reflects on his involvement with the New Zealand Association of the Deaf (now Deaf Aotearoa). In 1989, during the World Deaf Games, New Zealand had only two or three qualified NZSL interpreters – a serious shortage. NZDSA was strongly sign-based, while the NZAD board leaned more oral. After the Games, Tony joined NZAD as a delegate to learn how it worked, eventually becoming President. His focus was on Deaf youth, leading to the creation of Friends of Young Deaf (FYD), better Māori engagement and involvement with more NZSL interpreters. One key goal was to have 13 interpreters nationwide, giving every major town and city access. Interpreter pay and access were limited back then – very different from today.

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Hunt

John Hunt’s experience working as the First Deaf Field Officer for the NZ Association for the Deaf

John talks about his experiences working as the first Deaf Field Officer for the Deaf Association – two and half years – and the infamous ‘Deaf nod.’

NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

From New Lynn to Avondale: A Necessary Move

Tony served as President of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf from 1999 to 2003. At the time, the focus was on supporting Deaf youth – not relocating. But when asbestos was discovered in the ceiling of the New Lynn building, with removal costs estimated at $600,000, a major decision had to be made. With support from a funder willing to underwrite the risk, the building was sold and a new location was secured. The Avondale office officially opened in November 1999.

Heather Stewart (Thompson)

Heather Stewart (Thompson)

Pat Dugdale

Relevant Links

Wellington Deaf Society

Taonga source:

Karori News

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, A1982-019

Bibliographic source:

Karori News, 8 July 1982

Copyright status:

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Note:

This item has been transcribed and/or OCR post-corrected. It also has been compressed and/or edited.

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