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Developing action plans to deliver on the strategy
The Board, Te Rōpū Kaitiaki (the Board’s Turi Māori advisory group), and officials from the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha will take the actions set out in this strategy and turn them into action plans. This will involve working with government agencies and key stakeholders to identify clear accountabilities for action.
This will also involve sequencing these actions to:
- identify the short-term practical changes that could happen now, while also planning for progress on longer-term actions
- manage the progression of actions against work programme priorities for government agencies and community organisations
- factor in the availability of funding to support initiatives.
The actions in this strategy are ambitious. Many will stretch well beyond the timeframe of this strategy. However, work to start delivering these actions will lay the foundations for change. This work needs to start if the change needed is going to be achieved.
The Board recognises the importance of engaging directly with the Deaf community, Turi Māori and NZSL users, as well as from the Deaf and NZSL workforce, from Deaf and NZSL organisations (including Deaf clubs), from businesses, from iwi and hapū, and from the wider public.
The Board must also maintain its strong relationship and consult with Deaf Aotearoa as the recognised disabled persons organisation for Deaf people in New Zealand.
Reporting on progress
The Board reports annually to the Minister for Disability Issues on its work. Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha officials will also support the Minister to report regularly to Cabinet on progress on delivering the NZSL Strategy. This will need to include regular reviewing and monitoring, collaborating with government departments, and with key NZSL stakeholders.
Regular reporting from government departments would also ensure departments are focusing on NZSL, and acting in accordance with the principles of the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006. The Board and the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha will work with government agencies on the requirement for them to report on NZSL use and service availability within their annual reports.