HomePublicationsNFD Communicate: October 1994

NFD Communicate: October 1994

Some of the items featured in the October 1994 (Vol. 8, No. 3) issue of ‘NFD Communicate’:

  • Are people interested in establishing and participating in a Family Support Group for Deaf Plus people?
  • Liz Powell, Deputy Principal of Kelston upon returning from her visit to North Rocks (Sydney) recommends that a bilingual-bicultural group is set up at Kelston for students in the 4-6 year range, to be set up within a year. 
  • A transcript of Hilary McCormack’s speech to AIT sign language interpreters course graduates – ‘Please don’t fly before you can walk’. A total of 8 students graduated.  
  • Taranaki advertises for a qualified interpreter, saying that one was needed quite frequently and having to call for one from Palmerston North was not good enough. 
  • Deaf meet with Dr Marita Danek (Director of the Rehabilitative Counselling for the Deaf Programme at Gallaudet University) at Kelston Deaf Education Centre, with it being strongly agreed that counselling services for Deaf people are badly needed in New Zealand.
  • Confusion reigns over the use of TTY, TDD, TT – which all mean the same thing! It is agreed to use the term, ‘TTY’ or ‘Textphone’.
  • Deaf Association requests people not to call them ‘DANZ’.
  • NZDSA has a new logo and a new National Sports Administrator.
  • Deaf Organisations
  • TV/Media
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: 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.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

From Supporter to Secretary: Shona McGhie’s NZDSA Story

Shona McGhie shares how she became involved with the NZ Deaf Sports Association after attending the 1981 World Deaf Games in Köln as a supporter. Inspired, she accepted an invitation from Norman to observe an NZDSA executive meeting. They were looking for a new secretary, as Margaret Coutts had joined the organising committee for the 1989 Games. Shona was nervous but took on the role. She worked with basic green-and-black screen computers, fax machines, and letters. It was a demanding period, especially with the 1989 World Deaf Games ahead. Shona stayed in the role until 1996.
Taonga source:
National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, NFDC1994-8-3-MJN
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