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This priority is about developing and building an evidence-based profile of Deaf people and NZSL users so resources can be more effectively targeted at opportunities and challenges for Deaf people and NZSL users.
It is important there is good information on NZSL and the experiences of NZSL users. This will help support and enable better outcomes for Deaf people and NZSL users, and ensure NZSL remains a strong, vibrant, living language.
There is minimal data about the experiences and outcomes of Deaf people and NZSL users available, which makes it difficult to ensure resources are targeted at the right issues, and that the experiences, barriers, and challenges faced by Deaf people and NZSL users are well understood. It also makes it difficult to understand how experiences and barriers differ amongst diverse groups of NZSL users, including Turi Māori, Deaf Pacific people, ethnic communities, rainbow, Deaf+, deafblind people, and non-speaking people.
This priority area also involves the development of an indicator framework to monitor and measure this strategy’s progress and outcomes for NZSL and NZSL users. Data from individuals, communities, families and whānau will need to be gathered in a mana enhancing way and acknowledging that NZSL users, communities and stakeholders possess invaluable insights into strengths, challenges, and needs. Having good data and information on NZSL usage and need will also be important for government agencies when developing policy.
Actions proposed for this priority area
- Develop an indicator framework / dashboard for measuring and reporting on progress on outcomes for NZSL and NZSL users, with a focus on measures that record quantity (for instance, number of Deaf people and NZSL users in New Zealand), as well as quality (such as quality of access), and disaggregate data where possible and appropriate
- Map Deaf peoples’ and NZSL users’ touchpoints across the public service (including education and health services) to identify gaps, challenges, and unmet needs
- Improve NZSL documentation as part of understanding NZSL user journeys and experiences, and encourage agencies, organisations and businesses to develop NZSL guidelines that reflect their particular operating environment
- Explore opportunities presented by technology in an ethical and appropriate way, including identifying barriers or concerns that would need to be addressed, and develop guidelines relating its use