biography
Profile
Jennifer Brain (QSM)
Jennifer received the Queens Service Medal in 2007 for services to the New Zealand Deaf Community. She was well known for her leadership with the New Zealand Association for the Deaf. Jennifer became the first Deaf Leadership Tutor promoting community and Deaf youth leadership, before becoming the first Deaf Chief Executive Officer in 1999. Through her work, Jennifer was ahead of her time with the strategic planning of many Deaf community projects including Deaf awareness and Deaf leadership.
1987
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times
Getting the deaf off their hands
Auckland film-maker Ann Andrews has embarked on a project that Television New Zealand initially regarded as unpalatable last year She is making a film about deaf people. Anne is allowing the deaf to use their first language – sign language.
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Letter to the Editor: Deaf not dumb
Remember – deaf not dumb! That's the message Sarah Cameron, a fifth former, sends to the Editor of The Evening Post.
1990
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Getting the best from a less-than-perfect body
Some make a fuss, dress up and do it because its fashionable. Others do it for the sport and for the good of their bodies. Peter Barker, who is deaf, is one of the others.
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Split over how to teach deaf worries parent
Parents of deaf children would be saddened to hear that educationists oppose teaching deaf pupils the technique of "total communication", a parent has stated in a letter to the Post.
1987
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Communicating from a silent world
Jenny Griffiths, the mother of two profoundly deaf children, talks about communicating with them in Total Communication.
1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf man misses out on winning a car, claims discrimination
Holmes investigates the case of Wallace Williams, an Auckland Deaf man claiming he is being discriminated against. He won a contest at Hunters Plaza in Auckland for a car but was unable to claim the prize at the time because he could not hear the announcement that he was the winner.
1984
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Mudpools replace ice
Avalanche-free mudpools and geysers have replaced snow and ice for the seven deaf-mute Japanese climbers pulled off Mt Cook on Friday.
1989
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Deaf ‘denied basic rights’ in courts
A fight has begun against a justice system which some deaf people regard as denying them basic human rights.
1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Listener
Communication
Whakatane teacher Ruth Gerzon looks at some of the problems facing the deaf, in particular the controversy on how they should be taught.
1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1994
NZSL Stories
1994
article – Taonga source: City Voice
In the mainstream
Theresa Newson and Maria Griffiths are completely deaf. They are also students at St Catherine's College, Kilbirnie. Their mothers looked at several schools in the Wellington region because they wanted their daughters to stay at home rather than go to Van Asch.
1980
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Helen Keller: The great made her their heroine
To mark the centenary of the birth of Helen Keller on June 27, 1880, Pat Dugale has written about unusual experiences in her life.
1966-67
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1966-67 (Vol. 4, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
New Zealand Police Commissioner considers Deaf access to justice
Two weeks after 'The Remand of Ivan Curry' screens on TV1, Police Commissioner John Jamieson meets with Jennifer Brain to work out better procedures for dealing with Deaf people in custody.
1996-97
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Summer 1996/97
NZSL Stories
2023
video – Taonga source: Speak Up Kōrerotia
Speak Up Kōrerotia – Deaf Education in Aotearoa
This special NZSL Week show looks at the history and progression of deaf education in Aotearoa over time, from the oral method of communication taught for decades to the current use and teaching of NZSL. We interview Kay Drew (former teacher at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch, and a CODA - child of deaf adults) and Sara Pivac Alexander (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University)
1981
article – Taonga source: Central Leader
Deaf singers in song
For the last 15 months, the Independent Theatre of the Deaf has performed in venues all over Auckland as the Deaf Sign Singers.
NZSL Stories
1992
video – Taonga source: Sue Williams
The Remand of Ivan Curry
A documentary outlining the case of Ivan Curry who, in 1988, was arrested and tried for the murder of his baby nephew. The documentary explores the case and in particular the plight of Ivan Curry who was remanded without bail for 15 months awaiting trial, as well as the difficulty Deaf people face navigating the justice system.
2018
article – Taonga source: Stuff
An ‘inspirational’ deaf teacher is teaching sign language to hearing toddlers
One deaf teacher in south Auckland has inspired several toddlers and their parents to learn sign language.
1979
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
‘Speaking’ shown on ‘The South Tonight’
Total Communication is promoted on ‘The South Tonight’ by MOACOM, a newly formed influential group.
1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Letter to the Editor: Deaf Demand
The Wellington Association for Deaf Children writes to the editor covering Total Communication, the difficulties in the school system, the need for an interpreting training programme, and the need for deaf people to make their own decisions.
NZSL Stories
1974
article – Taonga source: Eastern Suburbs News
Successful integration of the deaf depends on community attitudes
If a New Zealand-born person doesn’t speak good English, people are likely to assume such a person is unintelligent. Such an assumption is wrong when the person is born deaf.
1988
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
They’re naturals for the part
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.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Deaf defendant no legal right to interpreter
The deaf defendant in the aborted Wanganui murder trial has no legal right to an interpreter, through the Justice Department says it is providing one.
1991
article – Taonga source: The Chronicle
Coping with deafness in a hearing world
Cushla and Brian talk about their lives – being Deaf, their experiences at school, employment, and communication.
1998
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
‘Inside Out’ interviews Hilary McCormack: Deaf education, advocacy and technology
An ‘Inside Out’ interview with Hilary McCormack where she talks about the advent of NZSL in Deaf education, advocacy and changing technology in the New Zealand Deaf community.
1968
article – Taonga source: Patreena Bryan
A life few people know
Few people with normal hearing stop to consider the daily frustrations faced by the deaf.
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf Awareness Week 1996
Deaf Awareness Week 1996 begins, with a spotlight on Des Barton, who finds the latest technology in hearing aids a great improvement. Angela Sew Hoy highlights that the week is aiming to raise awareness about Deaf people, their language and culture.
1983
article – Taonga source: NZPA
Fears for deaf climbers
Seven Japanese climbers, members of the Tokyo Deaf and Mute Climbing Society, flew on to Mt Cook yesterday, ignoring warnings of avalanche danger near their base camp.