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Arash Tayebi’s idea to develop sign language avatar technology is personal. And while Kara Technologies is still in the pilot stage, Tayebi hopes the technology will become easier to access as 24/7 teachers or in emergencies.

Deaf and hearing-impaired Kiwis are about to get a lot more choice in what they watch on television thanks to closed captioning being introduced on 10 new channels.

Deaf Bridal Couple – Mr and Mrs N.G. Norris after their marriage in the Ruawai Methodist Church. Both are totally deaf.

A production this month of the play Children of a Lesser God in Auckland will feature two deaf actors, Bryan Williams and Sheila Gibbons. And the starring role will be played, for the second time, by Gloss actress Miranda Harcourt.

"There's still a lot of barriers for deaf people in this country," says Erica, who lost her hearing when she was six months old. "We face all sorts of challenges that hearing people take for granted, such as finding interpreters to help us with schoolwork or meetings at work."

Many obstacles, including their deafness, are getting in the way of a planned study to the United States and Britain for Angela and Shelia.

People who can hear as well as see 'Reasonable Doubts' (TV3, 9.50pm Saturdays) might be surprised to learn that Deaf New Zealanders can understand deaf lawyer Tessa Kaufman’s sign language little better than they can. ASL, used by Deaf actor Marlee Matlin, is a foreign language here. My Deaf friends give it the thumbs up. But the failure of television in New Zealand to provide anything in NZSL is described as “a running sore” by Hilary McCormack.

Cushla and Brian talk about their lives – being Deaf, their experiences at school, employment, and communication.

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania may be the best-known Far North face learning NZSL, but he’s in growing company.

Rachel Noble and Donna Allen, both 17 and profoundly deaf, talk about their experiences in education.