Good signs

Ben Lowrey, 16, John Witcall, 8, and Roy McKee, 12, at a camp for deaf children where sign language was the communication method of choice. The Wellington Association for Deaf Children camp at the Silverstream Retreat at the weekend let families immerse themselves in “deaf culture”. Organiser Tricia Laing said parents took part in sign language lessons and children did activities surrounded by others for whom signing is their first language.

Parents of deaf children often struggled to pay for themselves and their children to learn sign language as it was not government-funded, she said. “The Government neglects to ensure all deaf children have a language so the parents are taking the responsibility. But it’s very hard work.”

The 75 campers had a fantastic time. It was “a real treat” for deaf children to be with others. “It was difficult getting them to sleep during the night because they wanted to spend 24 hours talking to each other. It’s fantastic for them to be able to communicate in their preferred language.”