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New Zealand Sign Language Week
TE WIKI O TE REO TURI, 5 - 11 MAY 2025
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week is an annual event that celebrates one of New Zealand’s official languages and serves as a platform to dismantle barriers, dispel misconceptions, and foster greater inclusion.
For the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, we know all too well the barriers people can face – in our community, it comes in the form of inequitable healthcare and poor housing, to name a few.
So this year (and for many more to come), we want to support Deaf Aotearoa to elevate awareness and appreciation of this language.
Clear communication is essential in managing respiratory health, especially in emergencies when quick action is needed. By knowing some key signs related to respiratory diseases, we can help ensure that more people can share vital health information with confidence –regardless of the language they use to communicate.
Raising awareness during NZSL Week also supports the Foundation’s goal of making essential health information accessible to as many people as possible, ensuring that no one is left without the knowledge and resources they need to manage their respiratory health.
