In Palmerston North, a group of Deaf locals were recruited to perform a song in sign language at their local Telethon, and Joan Bailey was right there, all ready to record it! All original footage by Joan with a prelude to the Manwatu Deaf’s Telethon performance also showing a number of Manawatu Deaf people at their workplace: Lindsay Jones (welder), Suzanne Hanson (seamstress), Jackie Davidson (data entry clerk), Russell McNab (spraypainter) and David Sinclair (joiner).
At the Auckland Telethon, the popular Sign Singers led by Dulcie McKie were the opening act of 1981 Telethon, which was the International Year of the Disabled. The event raised over $5 million for charities.