The New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006 is an act of the
New Zealand Parliament
The New Zealand Parliament () is the unicameral legislature of New Zealand, consisting of the Monarchy of New Zealand, Sovereign and the New Zealand House of Representatives. The King is usually represented by his Governor-General of New Zeal ...
recognising
New Zealand Sign Language
New Zealand Sign Language or NZSL () is the main language of the deaf community in New Zealand. It became an official language of New Zealand in April 2006 under the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006. The purpose of the act was to create rights ...
(NZSL) as New Zealand's third official language.
Background
Historically, NZSL users have been subject to social deprivation due to the lack of recognition
In April 2006, the New Zealand Government announced that New Zealand Sign Language would become New Zealand's third official language following English and Maori, which would allow the ability to use and access NZSL in legal proceedings, including in court.
Impact
Five years after the bill passed, many public services were still inaccessible in NZSL.
Recognising NZSL as an official language of New Zealand,
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited () is the flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 20 domestic and 28 international destinations in 18 countries, primarily within the Pacific Rim. The airline h ...
released updates to its in-flight videos making them accessible in NZSL.
Further developments
In 2015, the NZSL Board was set up to give practical effect to the legislation.
In 2022, the government held a consultation on amendments to the act.
See also
*
British Sign Language Act 2022
*
Accessible Canada Act
The ''Accessible Canada Act'' (ACA; ) is a Canada-wide accessibility act that applies to the federal public sector, Crown corporations, and all federally-regulated organizations, building on the ''Canadian Human Rights Act'', and focuses on the ...
*
Irish Sign Language Act 2017
The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 ( Act No. 13 of 2017; previously Bill No. 40 of 2017) is an Act of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) which gives Irish Sign Language official legal status.
Background
Broadly, before the bill was passed there w ...
References
{{Reflist, 30em
Statutes of New Zealand
2006 in New Zealand law
New Zealand language legislation
Legal recognition of sign languages