This project focuses on sharing findings from the Deaf Seniors' survey with the community and facilitating further discussions around their needs, access, and barriers. It includes the development of NZSL resources and age-related information and aims to build and maintain relationships with aged care services and organisations.
Organisation: Deaf Aotearoa
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Deaf Seniors published survey findings on their website, and shared them:
- with staff
- with Deaf Clubs and Deaf seniors' groups
- on social media.
Face-to-face focus groups were held in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Palmerston North, with a total of 125 Deaf seniors to discuss the results of the survey findings and valuable further discussions.
Aged-related workshops were held for 46 Deaf seniors in:
- Whangarei (Advanced Care Plan)
- Levin (EPOA/Wills and Advanced Care Plan)
- Hawkes Bay (Medical Alerts)
- Invercargill (Dementia, EPOA/Wills and Advanced Care Plan).
Based on Deaf seniors’ feedback, they set up a page on the Deaf Aotearoa website, which includes:
- age-related information
- aged organisations and services
- Deaf seniors' survey findings
- Deaf seniors' news
- Adult Community Education (ACE) workshops
- Adults & Seniors service information and referral forms.
This will be ongoing work.
Deaf Seniors web page on the Deaf Aotearoa website external
Deaf Aotearoa has observed positive changes, including increased awareness of age-related topics, services, and organisations, as well as greater access to information and Deaf equipment in the home. Deaf seniors appreciated the four age-related workshops delivered in different locations, as well as Adult Community Education (ACE) workshops held across the country. These initiatives have also helped bring Deaf seniors together, fostering opportunities to reconnect and socialise. Deaf Aotearoa remains committed to supporting Deaf seniors.
Quotes from Deaf seniors about the age-related workshops
“Good!”
“Need more Power of Attorney – important for the future.”
“Alana’s talk was perfect (good).”
“Need more workshops for Deaf seniors.”
“Future sign videos would be good for Deaf people to understand in sign language.”
Overall, Deaf seniors found the workshops valuable and expressed a desire for more learning opportunities on age-related topics in the future. Special thanks to Joy Chambers (Team Leader), Joyce Stokell (Deaf Seniors Lead), the Adults & Seniors staff, and most importantly, the Deaf seniors – without whom this project would not have been possible.
Deaf seniors’ discussion in Auckland
Hawkes' Bay workshop on medical alerts for Deaf seniors
Whangārei workshop on advanced care plan for Deaf seniors