Celebration of New Zealand Sign Language highlights need for inclusion
By: Catherine Groenestein
Taranaki Daily News: 5am, May 06, 2024
Chris and Chanelle Waite of Stratford are part of Taranaki’s small deaf community and use sign language as their first language, even with their three children, all of whom are hearing.
LISA BURD/TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
A Taranaki couple who have both been deaf since childhood don’t see it as a disability, and they’d like others to do the same.
This week is New Zealand Sign Language week, an annual celebration of the country’s third official language, which aims to dismantle barriers and foster inclusion for deaf people.
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is the first language of Stratford couple Chris and Chanelle Waite, both of whom have been deaf since childhood.
“It’s just that the ears don’t work,” Chris said. “It’s not a disability, but more a different culture.”
The couple use NZSL at home and arrange interpreters to assist at some meetings and appointments with hearing people.
This interview was done with the assistance of an interpreter from Interpreting Services Ltd at Fonterra’s Whareroa site, where Chris works as a milk tanker driver.
Chris works as a tanker driver for Fonterra, covering Taranaki, Manawatu and Waikato.
LISA BURD/TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
He loves his job, which takes him all around Taranaki and sometimes to Manawatu and Waikato.
“I enjoy truck driving, I love working for Fonterra. I’ve been here 3½ years. It’s awesome to be able to drive and look at the view — fabulous,” he said.
Chris, who is one of about 170 drivers, communicates with his dispatcher and colleagues using text messages.
Chanelle is a photographer and advocate for the deaf community.
LISA BURD/TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
Whareroa depot manager Brent (Hoppy) Hopkins said because Chris was the first deaf tanker operator to be employed by Fonterra, there was some initial apprehension.
“We did a risk assessment and were able to tick all the boxes. It’s worked well, it hasn’t even been an issue” he said.
“It shows there shouldn’t be any roadblocks.”
Chris’ wife, Chanelle, who has struggled to find a job, has started a business as a photographer.
She is also an advocate for and influencer in the deaf community, with two social media platforms, one on TikTok and one on Facebook – both handles @signwithchaz
“[Getting employment’s] the biggest barrier for deaf people in New Zealand,” she said.
“It’s frustrating. I understand that in some workplaces there are health and safety things going on, but there are other ways to do things if you have a deaf person in your workplace.
“It would be good to see more accessibility for the deaf community, both in breaking down barriers and in the workplace.”
In Taranaki the deaf community was quite small, and not everyone uses sign language, she said.
Chris grew up in Stratford and Chanelle in New Plymouth, but they knew each other from attending Keep In Touch days, which are get-togethers organised by teachers of the deaf for students in mainstream classes and schools.
After leaving school they lost touch, but a few years later Chanelle was in Christchurch one day shopping with a friend, and noticed someone drive past and flash their car lights at her, which she thought odd.
“I crossed over to the other side of the road,” Chanelle said.
“Then I saw the person signing my name through the window, and said to my friend: ‘He knows my name’.”
Then, she recognised Chris, and they arranged to meet up.
“The rest is history, and here we are,” she said.
The couple have three sons, Noah, 14, Lance, 13, and Josh, 9, all of whom are hearing, but have sign as their first language, Chris said.
“Their first words were in sign. Then they started to have spoken language from family members as they grew up and went to school.”
Chanelle’s advice for people who want to learn NZSL or to communicate with deaf individuals was to keep it simple.
“Start by learning basic signs and the alphabet. Practice using the language with others, perhaps by attending a class or joining a group.”
- Taranaki Daily News