November 2007 Newsletter: vol.1, iss.4

Volume 1 Issue 4 November 2007 www.discoveringdeafworlds.com

Van Asch Education Centre:

127 years and still going strong!

On Oct. 29, Evelyn (a New Zealand interpreter and child of deaf adults) picked us up outside Charlie B’s hostel in Christchurch, New Zealand, and gave us a coastal tour of the South Pacific ocean that led to Van Asch Education Centre in Sumner. We arrived at the school with our video camera in hand and were treated with a hearty New Zealand welcome by all of the students and staff at a morning day assembly. There was a gloomy air in the room, with many still mourning the New Zealand All Blacks’ recent loss in the Rugby World Cup (buggers!)

After the gasp of recognizing Christy from television (yes, even people on the other side of the world saw Christy on Survivor!), we were given an opportunity to explain the Discovering Deaf Worlds project and thank Van Asch for being the first school we visit on our tour. Working with our lack of fluency in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), we explained our intentions to meet and film Deaf peo-

What is DDW? Dave Justice and Christy Smith are traveling the world to learn and share stories of empowerment, inspiration, and connection between international Deaf communities.

Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is an opportunity to give deaf people worldwide a voice. For more information, photos, video logs, and newsletter stories, visit www. discoveringdeafworlds.com.

Christy with a group of van asch students in Sumner, NZ ple from all walks of life, documenting their stories and international sign languages. It had only been five days since our first attempt to communicate in NZSL, so needless to say, there were many laughs Van Asch, continued on page 2

A Personal Message Thanks for your patience, as we battle the elements of technology and limited Internet access while backpacking around the world. If you want to see more regular updates, pictures and stories, check out our blog www.discoveringdeafworlds.com/blogspot. E-mails or blog responses are welcome too! We love hearing your supportive and encouraging comments on this journey.

Christy and Dave November 2007

Van Asch, continued from front page

signers, oralists, hard of hearing people, cochlear implants, and deaf-blind at our expense! Van Asch people (Helen Keller also assistant principal Marie once visited the school back O’Brien then invited us to in 1948). help distribute awards to Van Asch is also one of many of the students for two government-funded deaf their recent accomplishschools in New Zealand, the ments before our campus second being Kelston Deaf tour and interviews began.

Education Centre in AuckDave and Christy on Van Asch has been filled land, which we will visit the Van Asch Campus with so much history since later this month. The school its establishment in 1880 now has approximately 50

by Englishman Gerrit Van Asch. It is even believed to be the first government- students (25 pre-school/25 secondary) and 14 teachers funded deaf school in the world, though this is not (4 Deaf ). With a total staff of nearly 60, several itinerofficially documented. The school has physically sur- ant teachers also work with mainstream deaf education vived earthquakes and fires, and culturally survived programs in surrounding areas.

The school has been instrumental in creating and deaf education clashes between oral (lipreading and speaking) and signed methods of communication. distributing sign language and educational resources Although the roots of Van Asch are deeply embed- to all of New Zealand, as well as overseas. They have ded in oralism, there was a shift in the 1970s to ac- also created several videos for sign language instruction and entertainment such as deaf jokes, storytellcommodate both communication styles.

Van Asch is now a recognized bilingual deaf ing, and so on.

To learn more about Van Asch, visit their website school, and is proud to not discriminate against any at www.vanasch.school.nz. form of communication, accepting all students: deaf,

On Dec. 3, Dave and Christy will continue their journey from Auckland, NZ, to Sydney, Australia!

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Artwork by Yolanda Mosher, Portland, OR, 2007

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Discovering Deaf Worlds

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Did You Know...

• • • • • • • • • •

There are 12 Deaf associations of New Zealand (DANZ) chapters spread throughout the country.

New Zealand Sign Language was recognized by law as an official language on April 5, 2006.

In the town of Christchurch, there are approximately 500 Deaf people who use sign language, and only five qualified interpreters.

There is one established interpreting program in the country, located in Auckland There is a biannual NZ Deaf film festival.

Mt. Cook, the tallest peak NZ is the second closest country to Antarctica, at 3,755 meters in New Zealand next to Argentina, South America.

Only three glaciers in the world feed rain forests and two are found in New Zealand, in Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier.

There are 40 million sheep and 70 million possums in New Zealand, but only 4 million people.

Kia Ora means “good health, “good luck,” and “hello” in the native language of the Maori people.

20% of New Zealand is covered in national parks, with two-thirds of the South Island being mountainous.

No known wildlife that preys on humans live in New Zealand; hypothermia is the main threat to playing in the outdoors.

Shout -Outs!

Shout Shout-Outs!

-Outs!

add your logo or banner to the DDW website!

Hands waving to Canterbury Deaf Society for your warm welcome, patience in teaching us NZ Sign Language, and assistance in connecting with the NZ Deaf community!

Thanks to Richard & Bonnie Hughes for encouraging us to do something unpredictably extravagant!

Contact info@discoveringdeafworlds.com for more information, options, and pricing.

Nadz… We “fancy” you! Although your road rage hatred for the 70 million possums in this country is bitter, your love for the country and your passengers is “sweeeet aaaas!”

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November 2007

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Ralph P. DeStephano Australian Sign Language Alphabet In each issue, DDW will print the fingerspelled alphabet of a visited country.

For more information on Australian Sign Language, visit www.auslan.org.au/index.cfm?skinname=content&page=6

Discovering Deaf Worlds

DANZ: Making New Zealand Accessible to the Deaf community

Christy Interviews Joyce Ferguson, DANZ Community Relations Officer.

While traveling the South Island of New Zealand, we had the opportunity to visit two of twelve Deaf Associations in New Zealand (DANZ) in Christchurch and Dunedin, and intend to visit two more in the North Island. With government funding, DANZ provides services such as community education on deaf awareness, social events, and networking; resources including sign language classes, referrals to support groups, and addressing individuals needs, as well as assistance for equipment compensation (hearing aids, vibrating alarm clocks, visual doorbells and fire alarms), interpreter requests, and advocacy for deaf rights and communication accessibility.

DANZ is on the rise and strives to make a positive impact on the deaf community. Those who walk through the doors at DANZ, leave with a boost of selfconfidence and pride in who they are. For example in Christchurch, employment consultants Della Buzzard and Ruth Coburn have recently advocated to find jobs for 20 deaf people in just three months time! Community Relations Officer Joyce Ferguson brings strength to the association, and is currently developing a “Women Returning to Work” program.

The powerful work DANZ provides, however, comes with the restraints of limited funding and a need for more qualified interpreters. In both cities, for instance, the average ratio of interpreters to deaf people is 1 to 100 (Christchurch: 500 Deaf people, five interpreters; Dunedin: 200 Deaf people, two interpreters). And government-regulated funding, we all know, is like pulling teeth to spend money. Raising the bar starts with appropriate funding. Recently hired powerhorse fundraiser Lois Scott of Dunedin intends to do just that!

New to the Deaf community and DANZ, Lois is rolling up her sleeves to get the funding needed to provide quality services and to get more Deaf people involved.

DANZ resembles a combination of American vocational rehabilitation and state associations. For more information on DANZ, visit www.deaf.co.nz.

International Travel Tidbits of the Month How do you get around in New Zealand (NZ)? The country is flooded with transportation options for tourists and backpackers. You can buy a car often for less than $1,000 and sell it back after your trip.

You can also rent a car top/van, take the Intercity public bus (or book $1 rides online with the Naked Bus Company – clothing optional!), or ride a train through the Arthur Pass mountains, and it’s is even safe to hitch a ride. We recommend the hop on/off bus options with Stray Travel, Kiwi Experience, or Magic Bus to meet fellow travelers and visit places off the beaten track with flexibility. $13 for a sandwich?! NZ can be very pricey in dining options. The average soup and salad lunch will cost you at least $13NZ, dinner on average $20NZ, coffee $5NZ. Portions are more reasonably sized than the typically excessive American meal. Treat yourself to a bowl of weet-bix cereal, possum pie, or vegemite and cheese sandwich. Shopping at any local grocery store will save you heaps of money that you can later spend on a canyon swing or bungee jump instead.

November 2007