Library marks major event for deaf community

Broadcast of the New Zealand Sign Language bill

Thursday, 6 April at 5pm

Waitemata room, level 3, Central City Library

The third reading of the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) bill will take place in Parliament on Thursday 6 April. NZSL interpreters will interpret the debate, which will be broadcast live on the internet.

Members of the deaf community and interested members of the public are invited to attend a screening of the broadcast at the Central City Library.

The third reading is the final debate on the bill, which will be followed by a vote to pass the bill. If the New Zealand Sign Language bill is passed, it will provide official recognition of New Zealand Sign as a unique New Zealand language and give it status equal to that of English and Māori. The bill also contains provisions for the use of NZSL in legal proceedings, and encourages government departments to make their services and information accessible to the deaf community.

Auckland City Libraries is joining with the Deaf Association of New Zealand (Auckland office) and Auckland City Council's Disability Issues Advisory Group to offer this screening of the web cast.

Auckland City is committed to creating a 100% accessible Auckland. This year's focus is on accessible information.