New direction for sign language with ebook first

Ebooks are now available for students who use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), the first digital resources of this kind to be used in New Zealand schools.

The six new ebooks are the result of collaboration between Deaf Aotearoa and the Ministry of Education, and were launched this week by Education Minister Hekia Parata to mark NZSL Week. More ebooks are planned for the future.

“The aim of the ebooks is to give deaf children the opportunity to read and strengthen their literacy skills, using the very same texts as their hearing peers,” Parata says.

“This is an important step towards making our schools more inclusive and welcoming to deaf children.”

The ebooks are NZSL translations of the iconic Ready to Read series, published by the Ministry of Education since the 1960s.

Parata says that the Ministry’s focus is providing children who use NZSL the resources and support they need to participate, learn and succeed.

“These resources are a great example of what can be achieved by government agencies and community organisations working together to generate the best outcome for students, parents and communities,” Parata says.