About us

We’re a nationwide booking organisation who provide New Zealand Sign Language and English interpreters. As a charitable organisation we keep the community at the heart of what we do. Any profit we make we look for ways to put back into supporting the community.

At iSign, we like to provide an easy, friendly but most importantly, professional booking service. As a team we are dedicated to and passionate about delivering an excellent service. We go to great lengths and take great care to find the best interpreter to match each specific communication need.

Professional Association
Membership References

Member of SLIANZ, Strong relationship with Deaf Aotearoa, Member of Volunteering Auckland

Quality Assurance/Accreditation

Manager holds postgraduate interpreting qualification. Preference to use SLIANZ registered interpreters. In areas where interpreters are unavailable we endeavor to transport interpreters to the location. Staff are Deaf Awareness trained and users of NZSL.

How are we Deaf friendly?

As an NZSL interpreting service, staff are aware the importance of communication.

Our website is accessible in NZSL

Staff can be contacted using Deaf-friendly means (relay, Skype, text, fax…)

Staff all use NZSL and are Deaf Awareness trained

Quality Assurance/Accreditation

Voted Corporate Events Guide Peoples Choice Award for 2010

How are we Deaf friendly?

Has Bed Shaker alarm clock.
Fax.
Internet access.
Flashing fire alarm.
Text.
email.
Has own car for hire as well as free bicycles for guests.

About us

KiwiAble is the brand of the  Inclusive Communities Role at the Christchurch City Council. KiwiAble aims to:

- increase opportunities for sport Recreation & Leisure for disabled people in Christchurch

- reduce barriers to participation for disabled people

How are we Deaf friendly?

KiwiAble has been in Christchurch for over 15 years.  It is overseen by the Inclusive Communities Coordinator at the Christchurch City Council.

Based on the principles of inclusion, KiwiAble is committed to adopting an approach that supports participation and access for disabled people.

KiwiAble has two main areas:

- the KiwiAble Leisure Card – a scheme that is FREE to join which provides discounted recreational opportunities to over 30 facilities for disabled people.

- the KiwiAble Recreation Network- a network of disability community agencies, organisations and individuals that have an interest in recreation, sport and leisure.

Want more information? Contact Rachel

About us

LifeLinks are contracted to provide needs assessment and service coordination for people with an intellectual, physical and/or sensory disability; plus, needs assessment and service coordination to people with mental health and/or addiction issues if referred by a specialist mental health service.
 
The process of assessment is client-focused, non-clinical, utilising a strength-based, social/community model.
 
Self referral is acceptable under disability or via any support agency or medical professional.

Professional Association
Membership References

Members of : NZIM, CECC (Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce), Institute of Directors, EEO Trust, Nasca (Needs Assessment Service Coordination Association)

How are we Deaf friendly?

LifeLinks utilises interpreters and communicators on an as needed basis from Deaf Aotearoa.

About us

Magnet is an initiative of Deaf Aotearoa for Deaf and hard of hearing youth in New Zealand.



Our purpose is to grow, inspire and develop positive Deaf identify and Leadership. We work closely with other youth and Deaf-related organisations to make mainstream youth programmes more accessible to those with a hearing impairement.

Quality Assurance/Accreditation

Ursula Thyne was on the Vodafone World of Difference Programme in 2013. She received a Local Heros Award in 2014. Magnet is a semi-finalist for Community of the Year for the New Zealander of the Year awards 2014.

How are we Deaf friendly?

Our staff can use both New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and/or spoken English.

We acknowledge the Treaty of Waitangi in the work we provide.

We provide a Transition Programme for students in their last year of school.

All staff and volunteers working under Magnet will have completed the Youth Work Qualification or are currently undergoing training.

About us

There is still a place where guests are greeted at the car, where every guest is catered to with pride and where meals turn into events.

Built in 1885 this exquisite hotel maintains its historical look and charm, but has been carefully renovated throughout. The hotel boasts 12 magnificent suites, each individually decorated from modern contemporary style to old fashioned elegance.

Mangapapa’s restaurant serves a Degustation menu daily. With a choice of 6 or 9 courses, with or without matching wines, we guarantee a memorable dining experience.

Together with the pool, spa retreat, tennis court, three-hole golf course and fully equipped conference facilities, this sophisticated homestead offers the ultimate experience.

How are we Deaf friendly?

Mangapapa Petit Hotel offers many different avenues by which prospective guests may contact us directly which do not require the ability to hear. For example, we have our own website which enables individuals to contact us via our enquiries page. We are also registered on various booking sites such as Booking.com. Our hotel is also equipped with fax facilities, direct email and we are text accessible. We also offer printed material in every room and throughout the hotel, including the restaurant. Any required information that is not readily available as printed material can be provided in print by our very willing staff.

While guests are staying on the premises each of our rooms offers T.V. with Teletext, Freeview and subtitles.

Finally every room has internet access. If the guest does not have their own computer we have a guest office with a computer which is connected to the internet enabling use of NZ Relay services.

About us

The Ministry of Education is the Government's leading Advisor on Educational system, shaping the direction for Education agencies and providers, contributing the Government goals for Education.

Professional Association
Membership References

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry.aspx

How are we Deaf friendly?

Special Education as part of the Ministry of Education - they provide support for the community, teachers and schools.

Special Education can provide resources and support for children with special needs, such as Early Intervention support, Speech Language Theraphy, Adviser on Deaf Children and funding.

Information can be found on:-

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/SpecialEducation.aspx

Ministry of Education has offices in the main centre's around New Zealand:-

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/AboutThisSite/ContactUs.aspx

About us

Mojo Mathers is New Zealand first profoundly deaf Member of Parliament.

She is the Green Party spokesperson for Disability issues, Animal Welfare, Food, Consumer Affairs, Civil Defence and Natural Health.

The Green Party website has NZSL translation video clip of some of our core policies, campaigns and maiden speeches here - https://www.greens.org.nz/nzsl

The Green Party Disability summary states that people living with impairments have:-

• access to education in an appropriate form
• access to and information on citizen rights adn are involved in decision-making affecting them
• services that are responsive, flexible, assesable and culturally appropriate
• barriers to their active participation in society removed

How are we Deaf friendly?

Mojo is Deaf.

The Green Party website has NZSL translation video clips of some of our core policies, campaigns and maiden speeches here - https://www.greens.org.nz/nzsl

About us

Advocates assist people with making sure their rights are respected. They help consumers to resolve complaints about health or disability services.  An advocate is on the side of consumers. This means the advocate will:



- listen to your concerns

- give you information about your rights

- help you to explore the options available, including ways to make a complaint

- support you in the actions you decide to take to resolve your concerns

- give you practical support, such as helping to write a letter or accompanying you to a resolution meeting with the provider

- give you guidance and information on self-advocacy

How are we Deaf friendly?

Although they will be responding to enquiries and assisting consumers to resolve complaints, the most significant part of the role of the Deaf advocates will be networking and providing education sessions.



The education sessions for health and disability providers will focus on such areas as understanding Deaf culture, communicating effectively with Deaf consumers and dealing respectfully with them. The  Code of Rights will provide  the framework for meeting the rights of the Deaf community using these services.



As well as education about their rights, self advocacy sessions will be provided to Deaf consumers to enable them to develop skills to advocate on their own behalf when matters of concern are outside the advocate's jurisdiction.  The advocate is able to act as a mentor and sounding board for a consumer advocating for themselves.

About us

NZDRFU promotes Deaf and hearing impaired players with an ultimate goal to win through pride, passion and motivation.

Every year since 1990, three regional teams compete at the NZ Deaf Rugby Championships. The three Deaf Rugby Unions take turns hosting the championships. Since 1994 the winning team has been awarded the NZDRFU Rugby Shield each year.

Objectives

• NZDRFU promotes the participation of Deaf and hearing impaired players in rugby activities.
• NZDRFU fosters Deaf international or inter-zone matches.
• NZDRFU acts as a central advisory, consultative and co-ordinating body related to rugby events, games and activities for Deaf and hearing impaired players.

Contact persons

• National Secretary: Kirsten Sutherland (secretary@nzdrfu.org.nz)
• International Secretary: Lyneen Allen (deafblacks.secretary@nzdrfu.org.nz)

Professional Association
Membership References

Associate member of the New Zealand Rugby Union since 1995.