About us

Canterbury West Coast branch

Support and services we can offer you:

- Supported lifestyles services
- Transition services
- Employment and vocational services
- Supported (independent) living services
- Mobility parking
- Total mobility (taxi vouchers)
- Disability awareness and education
- Community development

The main office is in Christchurch and there are satellite offices in Kaikoura, Rangiora, Ashburton, Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. We employ over 60 people in full and part-time positions and provide support and services to around 1,000 people and families.

How are we Deaf friendly?

We currently employ 5 Staff who are Deaf/ hearing impaired, we have access to NZSL interpreters if needed and have staff who are currently training in NZSL.

About us

CPIT provides quality tertiary education to thousands of students each year across a variety of different fields.

We pride ourselves on our hands-on, skill-based programmes that prepare students for the real world. CPIT has a range of support services which assist students to achieve their study goals.

CPIT's unique approach to applied education and strong partnerships with industry enhance career opportunities for graduates.

How are we Deaf friendly?

Over the years, a number of Deaf students have successfully studied and achieved their qualification at CPIT.

Students' needs are assessed on an individual basis in relation to course requirements and support (including NZSL interpreters) will be provided within the available resources at the time.

Deaf people who are interested in studying at CPIT should make sure they contact CPIT early to check out the availability of appropriate support.

Course Information - info@cpit.ac.nz
Information abour support, including NZSL support - contact Christine.

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

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

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

Introducing New Zealand Sign Language to hearing babies and children.



Through singing a selection of children's favourite songs and nursery rhymes, set to funky music and supported with NZSL you will:



- Have great fun whilst you teach your baby how to effectively communicate with you, before they can even talk!
...

- Enjoy the benefits of less frustration as you and your child are able to understand each other!



- Enjoy a great music class with the added benefit of learning New Zealand's 3rd official language.



- Using signs actually increases the rate of verbal development and at the same time, dramatically enhances the parent/child bond.



- Talking Hands provides a structured activity with funky music that helps babies and pre-schoolers to develop mentally, emotionally and verbally.



PHONE 021 44 10 64 for more information.

How are we Deaf friendly?

Talking Hands is designed for hearing babies  however, Talking Hands is ideal for parents who want to support their hearing children in the hearing world as in combines both signs and music! This marrying the hearing world with the deaf world.

About us

TalkLink is a specialist assessment service that aims to identify assistive technology options to help with speaking, writing, learning and controlling the environment. The service also prepares funding applications (where applicable) for clients to be provided with their own equipment and to provide training in the use of the equipment.

Anybody who has a disability and has difficulty communicating through speaking, writing, learning and/or controlling their environment can use the service.

We are a national organisation with offices in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

Professional Association
Membership References

Assistive Technology Alliance of NZ (ATANZ), New Zealand Speech Language Therapy Association, Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand

Quality Assurance/Accreditation

Equipment Modification Service Accreditation in the area of Communication Assistive Technology – Level 1 and 2

How are we Deaf friendly?

We are Deaf friendly in that we aim to present information in visual ways.

We are connected to the Deaf community by having a Deaf staff member who is an invaluable member of the team. She provides us with training on NZSL and advice in how to best engage with Deaf clients and the community.

Our therapists use some NZSL and Makaton sign during their work and as part of their recommendations to clients and teams.

We work with a variety of clients who are Deaf or have varying degrees of hearing impairments as well as other co-occurring conditions such as vision, speech, motor and cognitive impairments.

About us

The Purpose of Van Asch Deaf Education Centre is to provide high quality educational programmes and special related services which meets the needs of Deaf, hearing loss students and their families and communities.

To enhance learning outcomes for children who are Deaf or with hearing loss we:

• Provide specialist teaching and support services
• Develop communication skills and language
• Provide equitable access to learning
• Provide for successful learning

The Centre also provides residential facilities to cater for students whose overall personal, social and educational needs cannot be met in their home area.

It also provides a range of on-campus programmes, from pre-school through secondary, and makes full use of the wide range of resources that are avavaible both in the local district and greater Christchurch area.

Professional Association
Membership References

Ministry of Education

Quality Assurance/Accreditation

Education Review Office reports - http://www.vanasch.school.nz/ero-reports.php

How are we Deaf friendly?

We currently employ 8 staff who are Deaf, we have access to NZSL interpreters if needed and have staff learning NZSL. We also provide information and resources on NZSL.

Our website features helpful information for families of Deaf children and Deaf Professionals.

About us

The Deaf Studies Research Unit (DSRU) at Victoria University of Wellington produces sign language research, including NZSL dictionaries and other publications. First and second year NZSL courses are taught as part of the BA degree. Postgraduate students may also conduct research for MA and PhD degrees. The Certificates in Deaf Studies: Teaching NZSL is a foundation level programme designed to train Deaf people as NZSL teachers.

Professional Association
Membership References

DSRU staff members are active members of SLIANZ and NZSLTA.

How are we Deaf friendly?

Deaf Studies research and teaching is focused on learning and teaching about NZSL and the Deaf community. Courses are taught in NZSL, by Deaf teachers, and are accessible to Deaf people.

Research from the Deaf Studies Research Unit promotes understanding of NZSL and the Deaf community and supports teaching of NZSL in society.

Research projects involve coloration with the Deaf community. Staff from DSRC contribute advice and information to community and government sector organisations.

About us

Workbridge is a nation-wide professional employment agency for people with all types of disability, illness or injury, the impact of which is likely to last for more than six months, and create a barrier to obtaining employment.

Workbridge also works with members of the Deaf community. In addition to providing employment services, Workbridge administers government Support Funds on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development. Support Funds are available to help cover additional costs a person with a disability may have in the workplace or in training.

Workbridge services are free for both jobseekers and employers.

Professional Association
Membership References

Career Development Associate of New Zealand

How are we Deaf friendly?

Assist Deaf jobseekers with pre-employment preparation, job search activities, and once in a job we will keep in contact to make sure everything is going well.

Administer government Support Funds to help cover the cost of NZSL interpreters, and other related costs in the workplace or training environment.