Our Vision
Our vision is for the Deaf and hearing communities in Canterbury and ideally, the rest of New Zealand, to communicate more easily together.
At Sign Equity, our goal is to teach basic NZSL and Deaf Culture to as many people in Christchurch and Canterbury (or wherever NZSL is needed) as possible. We would like the Deaf community and other NZSL users to have access to their language when communicating with others.
Director Julie Fraser
A society where everybody in New Zealand can communicate their basic requirements for everyday needs!
Julie explains more about how Sign Equity works in this video.
In New Zealand
Across New Zealand, 1 in 10 people will have some form of hearing loss and many are enquiring about NZSL in order to support themselves with clearer communication.
The 2023 Census states there are 24,678 NZSL users in the country, up from 22,986 in 2018 and 20,235 in 2013.
New Zealand Sign language is the primary language of the New Zealand Deaf Community and is also used by other people who are unable to use their voice or simply prefer to communicate in NZSL.
Communication is one of the most basic human rights and is being overlooked by a huge part of the New Zealand community.
Don't be part of the gap.
Who Can Learn NZSL?
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Tell me about your tailored, skill-based courses.Sign Equity's unique courses are highly customisable, ranging from introductory courses to comprehensive extension sessions. On offer: Introductory Course: A foundation in NZSL and Deaf culture over 6 hours, split into convenient 30 or 60-minute sessions. Tailored Course: Customised to meet specific learning goals, also totalling 6 hours and offered in flexible session lengths. Extension Courses: Building on introductory knowledge, available in two progressive stages, each also spanning 6 hours and adaptable to session preferences. Sample Sessions: Short 1 to 2-hour sessions for a quick overview or refresher. Tailored Workshops: In-depth learning experiences spread over 8 hours across 3 days. Visual Delivery in Conferences: Offering a concise hour-long presentation tailored for corporate settings. Ask us which would be best for you.
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How is your approach to learning NZSL different?What sets Sign Equity apart is our commitment to delivering unique program materials, session notes, and reinforcement strategies tailored exclusively for our clients. By bringing NZSL education directly to clients through our mobile service, Sign Equity ensures convenience and accessibility, allowing sessions to be conducted at times and locations that suit the learners best.
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Who do you teach?Anyone! Adults - 18 years and older Children - (2 to 6 years - hearing only) and up to 17 years Non-verbal Adults and Children Professionals Staff Community Educational Centres Medical Centres ... and more
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Do you teach set words and phrases?No, we work out a course of NZSL that's going to work best for you, your business or your community group. All our programmes, session notes and reinforcement activities are unique to us at Sign Equity.
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What about enrolment and pricing?As each course is designed to meet your specific needs, pricing varies based on the number of participants and the tailored nature of the program. We encourage all prospective learners to contact us directly to discuss your requirements and receive detailed information on course offerings and pricing. You will be able to choose when, where and how often you are taught.
Proud Winners
We were thrilled to be honoured at the 2020 Access Alliance People's Choice Awards! Taking home both Best Social Inclusion and the Supreme Accessibility Award for Business solidified our commitment to breaking down communication barriers. This recognition fuels our passion to empower businesses and the Deaf community to connect.
Please support the Access Alliance with #AccessMatters & #AccessLawNow
"Every New Zealander should be able to fully participate in society, have the opportunity to learn, to get a job, and to take part in community and social life.
Without government action to ensure all businesses, buildings, and services are accessible, one in four of us continue to be excluded from accessing or fully participating in parts of life that other Kiwis take for granted."
- ACCESS ALLIANCE NZ