Deaf youth hui offers insights for all

By Education Gazette editors

Issue: Volume 94, Number 6

Posted: 20 April 2015

Reference #: 1H9cqt

New Zealand’s Deaf youth have unique learning experiences that offer valuable insights for all involved in their education.

That’s why in August last year, the Ministry of Education brought together Deaf youth aged 12 years and over from around New Zealand for a National Deaf Youth Hui.

Held in Auckland, the hui created a supportive environment in which the attendees could share what worked for them in education and learning, while providing advice for and connecting with their Deaf peers.

One of its key aims was to look at how Deaf students, schools and the Ministry could better work together to make education a more positive experience for everyone. The Ministry has since used the insights gained to inform its New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) project work which includes the NZSL@School(external link) initiative.

A series of short videos were created after the hui. They include stories from the school experiences of some of the hui participants, and useful guidance and tips for Deaf youth and others involved in their education.

The last video in the series, You to Me; Me to You – Youth(external link), has now been completed. This encourages Deaf youth to ‘make sure you grab the opportunities available to you before it’s too late’ and ‘step forward and stand up for what you need’. It promotes the importance of Deaf youth being prepared and proactive in their own education, and of connecting with other Deaf youth.

Reflecting on the series of videos, Brian Coffey from the Ministry of Education’s NZSL team says that “no two students are the same, or learn in the same way, but the sharing of the story of the hui and the stories of the Deaf youth involved can help to create positive learning experiences for others. So take a look and see what helps these inspirational New Zealand Deaf youth confidently say ‘I am Deaf and I am proud.’”

Update: Video footage from the hui is being used to inform content in the hearing impairment guide on the Inclusive Education(external link) website but, apart from You to Me; Me to You, the footage is not publicly available (as reported in the print edition of this article).”