MOH would like 
to understand the information that families receive on New Zealand Sign Language after their child is identified as deaf or hard of hearing.
The New Zealand Sign Language Board was established by Cabinet in 2014. The New Zealand Sign Language Board Action Plan 2016 – 2018 guides the board and government agencies in progressing priorities for New Zealand Sign Language.
One of the priorities in the New Zealand Sign Language Action Plan is to promote New Zealand Sign Language in the home. The Ministries of Health and Education are responsible for actions to achieve outcomes in this priority area.
Specifically, the Ministry of Health is to ‘Scope options to ensure information provided to parents of deaf children is timely, relevant, independent and appropriate. Include examining referral pathways and information that is currently provided through audiologists and other relevant professionals’.
You can access the survey for parents by clicking on the following the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L2PGM2B
The survey information will be used to guide government agencies and the New Zealand Sign Language Board in how best to promote New Zealand Sign Language in the home.
The survey will close on Sunday, 14 May.
A summary of responses will be available by 31 May at http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disability-services
