Day 182 - ODT - Invercargill 'struggling' without sign language interpreter

Invercargill 'struggling' without sign language interpreter

ODT: Tuesday, 17 September 2024

Deaf community advocates Phillipa and Roger Strong presented to Invercargill City Council as part of its equity and access policy for Tākata Whaikaha (disabled people). PHOTO: ODT

Invercargill’s deaf community has signalled a desperate need for a sign language interpreter, two years since the last person left the role.

The hole has been felt by the Southland city’s deaf community during that time, with one person saying they were seriously ill in hospital with no interpreter available.

Advocates for the deaf and disabled expressed their frustration with Invercargill City Council as part of a consultation for its disability policy.

Southland Deaf Community secretary Phillippa Strong told a hearing panel today that a full-time interpreter would open the door for people to attend events, appointments, shows and concerts.

“Deaf people should be treated equally. Deaf people have rights,” she said.

The Southland Deaf Community was made up of about 13 to 15 members, but Strong said she knew of about 80 children in Invercargill who were deaf.

Her husband, Roger Strong, is the chair of Southland Deaf Community and communicates through sign language.

He told those gathered it was “very frustrating” trying to get by without interpreters.

“It’s hard, very hard, even to communicate with my own wife."

Jamie Randhawa said she recently experienced a situation at an emergency department where an interpreter was not available. PHOTO: ODT

Also presenting to the panel was Jamie Randhawa, who proudly identified as both deaf and disabled.

Randhawa works as a sign language educator at the Southern Institute of Technology, and said a recent experience at an emergency department left her upset after it was revealed no interpreter would be available.

“It was very disappointing and disheartening and I was very ill at the time. It was not good enough.”

Tracy Peters represented a number of disability groups at the hearing.

She encouraged the council to appoint a staff member to the role of advocate for people with disabilities.

Peters detailed a recent incident of discrimination she experienced in the city in which a shop owner locked the door so she wouldn't be able to enter in a wheelchair.

It wasn’t until a customer in the shop found Peters in the street several minutes later, and explained what had happened, that she realised she had been marginalised.

“When you’re dealing with disability, it’s tough.”

Deaf Aotearoa chief executive Lachlan Keating said it had been about two years since Invercargill had been home to a permanent interpreter, but the gaps were sometimes plugged by video calls or people flying in.

A lack of an interpreter made appointments with doctors, social service providers and government agencies difficult, he said.

There were about 120 interpreters nationwide, and about 95% were female.

In order to gain the qualification, people needed to study for a three-year degree.

Upcoming recommendations to council would include a request for the mayor to set up a disability portfolio, and the development of an action plan for disability inclusion.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Last Updated 18/09/2024

Resources

• Southland Deaf Community

• https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/invercargill-struggling-without-sign-language-interpreter

Day 177 - Southland Times - ‘We will fight for our rights back,’ disability advocate says

‘We will fight for our rights back,’ disability advocate says

By: Louisa Steyl

The Southland Times: 12:22 pm, 12 September 2024

Disabled United Invercargill chair Mike Peters says any changes to disability funding need to be an open discussion with the impacted community. (File photo)

Kavinda Herath / Southland Times

In an ongoing effort to fight funding cuts, Disabled United Invercargill and The Southland Deaf Community are hosting a forum on Saturday.

The groups have invited the Labour Party’s MP for Invercargill Ingrid Leary, who supports Invercargill issues since the former Invercargill MP Liz Craig left parliament, and Labour spokesperson for disability issues Priyanca Radhakrishnan to hear more about how they can help the cause.

People with disabilities have been mobilising all over New Zealand after a series of cuts to Whaikaha - the Ministry of Disabled People and the services it can fund.

“We will fight for our rights back,” Disabled United Invercargill chair Mike Peters said, adding, “We’ll work with anyone who wants to work with us.”

In March, the ministry announced, in a Facebook post, that it would be limiting how people with disabilities were able to spend their funding.

Invercargill’s National MP and former minister of disabilities Penny Simmonds defended the decision at the time, saying funding was set to run out in “days”.

Simmonds referred to the move as a funding pause, but was then stripped of the portfolio and the ministry was reviewed, before new Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston announced a restructure in August.

The disability forum at Invercargill Library from 2pm on Saturday would be a chance to hear from the Labour Party and build public support, Peters said, adding that everyone was welcome.

Leary pointed out that while people with disabilities were “leading the fight”, allies from the wider community were important.

“There’s strength in numbers. It’s by working together that we make the biggest difference.”

Members of Southland's disability community picketed outside former Disabilities Minister Penny Simmonds's office in Invercargill in June. (File photo)

Kavinda Herath / Southland Times

Leary had been impressed by how motivated and organised Disabled United New Zealand were, she said.

“[They] are a small, but dynamic group who are doing advocacy work, not just for Southland, but for all of New Zealand.”

But recognising how numbers of people with disabilities in Southland and Otago, Leary said it was important to make sure the region wasn’t forgotten about.

She hoped that building a relationship with Radhakrishnan would allow DUNZ to shape future policy.

But the meeting would also serve “to show that we value the important work they’re doing and that we can carry their work back to Wellington to show the horrendous impact these cuts are having on people and their families,” Leary said.

The meeting will be held upstairs at the library and doors will open at 1.30pm.

- The Southland Times

Last Updated 12/09/2024

RESOURCES

• https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350412648/we-will-fight-our-rights-back-disability-advocate-says

• Disabled United Invercargill

• Southland Deaf Community

• https://www.stuff.co.nz/society/350400559/carers-were-already-struggling-and-then-came-disability-funding-cuts

• https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350379391/watch-disabled-community-heartbroken-slamming-disability-services-restructure

• https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350229398/disability-community-protest-funding-halt-outside-ministers-office

• https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350223159/disability-advocates-protest-funding-changes

• https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350383326/we-have-stop-being-people-things-are-done

Day 156 - Invercargill disabled get organised

By: Mike Peters

DUNZ-Invercargill Branch Committee Chair

DUNZ: 22/08/2024

The DUNZ-Invercargill Branch Committee met today. 

Members

Vic West (Deaf-Blind) has joined the committee.

Another 5 people have signed up to DUNZ-Invercargill.

Sign of the week

The committee are all going to start learning some sign language at each meeting, taught by Roger Strong (Southland Deaf Community President)

Protest

A protest will be held on Wednesday, 4 September, from 10 am to 12 noon on the corner of Tay St and Ellis Rd, Invercargill. Melissa Corbin, Southland Outreach Campaign Organiser, will lead the protest's organization.

The date and time were chosen to support the protest being organised in Christchurch simultaneously.

Support workers

The Branch will seek to work closely with the support worker unions (E Tu, PSA, NZNO) campaigns to unionise the workforce and win pay equity. That means DUNZ-Invercargill will raise support for their campaigns from the disabled community.

Last Updated 22/08/2024

RESOURCES

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Day 91 - Southland Deaf Community - We need interpreters

We need interpreters

By: Philippa Strong

Southland Deaf Community: 18/06/2024

On behalf of the Southland Deaf Community, I want to bring this to your attention: We badly need Sign Language Interpreters. We have none here in Invercargill or the Southland area, which I find a disgrace.

One of our members is in the hospital quite frequently, and without an interpreter, it is tough. The closest place for an interpreter to travel is Dunedin, about a 2- 3 hour drive one way. Getting an Interpreter for when the Doctors do their rounds isn’t always satisfactory as they never know when they will be seeing the person.

We have been given the option of using NZ Relay, which is unsatisfactory for our Deaf Community. Our Members are older and do not have access to modern IT technology.

Another example myself has been seeing a lot of specialists and being in and out of the hospital and even getting an interpreter as my husband, who is profoundly deaf to be able to attend the appointments has been difficult as we sometimes haven’t been able to get an interpreter which means I have to try and listen what the doctor is saying and having my husband Roger tapping me on the shoulder and asking me what the doctor is saying. I am not an interpreter or fluent in sign language, so as you can see,  we need interpreters in Invercargill.

We shouldn’t have to pay for Interpreters. It should all be government-funded as it is a health disability, and funding for Interpreters only covers some things, not all. As funding cuts are going to be taking place, this is going to be very difficult for the Deaf. The Southland Deaf Community will fight for this, so I want your support. They have not asked to be Deaf, the same way the Blind haven’t asked to be Blind; people haven’t asked to have disabilities.

Philippa Strong
Treasurer/Secretary
Southland Deaf Community

Last Updated 18/06/2024

RESOURCES

• Southland Deaf Community

• Protest Letter ver 1 (PDF)

Day 60 - PSA - Disabled Workers Celebrate End Of Minimum Wage Discrimination

Disabled Workers Celebrate End Of Minimum Wage Discrimination

Friday, 19 May 2023, 2:57 pm

Press Release: PSA

The PSA’s Deaf and Disabled Network is today celebrating the end to one form of discrimination of disabled people in the workplace following Budget 2023.

The Minimum Wage Exemption is being axed and replaced with a wage supplement. Currently disabled people can be paid as little as $2 an hour. Ensuring that disabled people have the same access to the minimum wage protection as others eliminates a form of legalised discrimination and puts more money in the pockets of disabled people.

"The current system legalises discrimination against disabled workers, tells disabled people they are worth less than other workers, and contributes to high rates of poverty for disabled people," said Glenn Walker, co-convener of the PSA Deaf and Disabled Network.

"Ending the exemption ensures that disabled people have access to work and also the rights of every other worker."

Workplace discrimination and lack of access to work are a significant contributor to high rates of poverty among disabled people. Working aged disabled people have an average income of $662 a week compared to $1,125 for non-disabled people.

Thes announcement impacts 800 workers who will have their wages lifted to the minimum wage and follows decades of advocacy by disabled workers, the union movement, and disabled people’s organisations.

Paul Brown, a founding member of the Deaf and Disabled Network, celebrated the achievement.

"One of our goals when we set up the Deaf and Disabled Network was to end the Minimum Wage Exemption Scheme. Advocacy’s a long game sometimes. And sometimes we don’t win, but when we don’t fight, we never win!"

Last Updated 24/05/2024

RESOURCES

• Scoop Press Release

Day 52 - Southland Times - Deaf community calls for sign language interpreter

Deaf community calls for sign language interpreter

By: Louise Steyl

The Southland Times: Saturday 11 May 2024

Southland Deaf Community chairperson Roger Strong and secretary Philippa Strong say there are plenty of instances where people with hearing disabilities require a sign language interpreter.

KAVINDA HERATH / SOUTHLAND TIMES

Imagine being admitted to hospital and you can't hear or understand what the doctors and nurses are saying to you.

That's been the reality for Southland's deaf community who have been without a dedicated sign language interpreter for the past three years.

The Southland Deaf Community organisation is calling for a new interpreter for the region as relying on translators to travel from Dunedin is impractical.

But Deaf Aotearoa say there aren't enough people in the area who require the service to warrant employing someone full time.

To communicate during this interview, Southland Deaf Community president Roger Strong used a transcribing app on a phone belonging to his wife, secretary Phillipa Strong, but it meant looking at the screen and not being able to fully engage in the conversation.

But an interview is just one example of when he would need an interpreter.

There's doctor's appointments, and Winz visits; while some members have pointed out how good it would be to participate in community events or theatre shows. “We really need interpreters in Invercargill,” Philippa said.

Using the example of a doctor’s appointment, she pointed out that sometimes she could get a same day appointment for Roger, but often they had to wait until an interpreter could travel from Dunedin.

“It’s a real nightmare,” she said.

When someone wasn’t available, they would be asked to use the government-funded relay service that converts speech to text and visa versa, using a computer or smart phone.

“But a lot of our members are older and they aren’t up to date with technology. They would rather have face-to-face contact,” Phillipa said.

She conceded that the organisation wasn’t large, but believed more people would use the service if they knew it was available.

Deaf Aotearoa chief executive Lachlan Keating said a lack of interpreters was an issue many smaller towns and regions in New Zealand was facing.

“It’s not a situation we are happy with. We can understand the community finds it frustrating,” he said.

Deaf Aotearoa had been discussing the challenge with its funders but its contracts were limited and it was difficult to keep someone in full time work in small communities, Keating said.

In some regions, communities had been able to co-ordinate with agencies to have interpreters fly in an do a three-day block of appointments with ACC, for example, he said, “but deaf people can’t be expected to set their lives around the availability of interpreters”.

Keating called on businesses and services to be proactive themselves and book interpreters as soon as they’d set an appointment with someone from the deaf community.

“The more notice, the more likely we are to match interpreters,” he said.

This was particularly true when people had a preferred interpreter or needed someone who understood particular jargon or fields.

The Strongs have thrown their weight behind Disabled United NZ who have been protesting a pause to disability funding announced in March.

“Money needs to be spent on people with disabilities to make it a safer environment,” Roger said.

“Everyday living will be more difficult with these cuts. It’s hard enough as it is.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated the former interpreter had died. This is not the case. (Amended 10.30am, Sunday April 12, 2024)

Last Updated 12/5/2024

RESOURCES

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Day 47 - Taranaki Daily News - Celebration of New Zealand Sign Language highlights need for inclusion

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

Day 38 - DUNZ - National Meeting of DUNZ on Zoom

National Meeting of DUNZ on Zoom

DUNZ: 27 April 2024

Summary

In the wake of recent developments, a national meeting of DUNZ members using Zoom is being organised over the next 2 weeks using different time slots.

Background

The March 18 announcement of changes to how we can use our funding evoked outrage within the disabled community.

• Successful protests have been held in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

• Public meetings have been held in Auckland, Nelson, Palmerston North, Porirua, etc.

• Many people and groups made statements

• Local protest groups are being established.

• Most of the news and events are recorded on the DUNZ website.

Ways to Communicate

To reach the broadest possible audience, DUNZ uses everything that works.

• Email messages

• Google Groups

• Google Meetup

• Meetings and protests

• Printed posters

• Text Messages

• Website

• WhatsApp

• YouTube

• Zoho

• Zoom

Facebook

Most disabled people don't use Facebook. It's also a barrier for many blind people, older people and those without access to technology.

Zoom

Zoom is the best option for a meeting at the moment. The Zoom Free Basic Plan can host a meeting.

• 100 people

• 40 minutes

• Automatic meeting captions in English

• Screen sharing

• 3 whiteboards

• Chat

• Video can be recorded, downloaded and shared on YouTube and Facebook later on

• Participation using a web browser.

DUNZ Membership Growing

Over the last few weeks, people from the disabled community have been joining DUNZ using the online join form.

• This includes the majority of the local leaders who organised the recent protests.

• Those starting up in Palmerston North and Tauranga.

• 40 people have indicated they want to volunteer with a local group or national team somehow.

• 20 indicated they may be able to volunteer in the future.

• DUNZ members who only want the weekly email newsletter to be informed.

Invite

This Zoom meeting is for those who have offered to help. The invite will be sent.

• DUNZ members who ticked the "Yes, I want to volunteer" box.

• The email address provided when joining.

• The invite will give the different time slots available.

• Each meeting will have the same agenda.

• People can then register for the time slot that suits them.

Format

Mike Peters will give a 10-minute summary, including visual slides for the deaf community.

• The attack on our rights

• How do we fight this and win?

• How could DUNZ be structured?

• Jobs for DUNZ volunteers

• Open discussion

Date and Time

The Zoom meeting will be repeated at these times on different days to ensure all members have a chance to participate.

• Friday, 3 May, 1:00 pm - 1:40 pm

• Saturday, 4 May, 7:00 pm - 7:40 pm

• Sunday, 5 May, 10:00 am - 10:40 am

• Monday, 6 May, 1:00 pm - 1:40 pm

• Monday, 6 May, 7:00 pm - 7:40 pm

• Wednesday, 8 May, 10:00 am - 10:40 am

Further, longer meetings can be held to discuss details for volunteers in national teams or local group committees.

Blind Citizens NZ

An additional meeting with members of Blind Citizens NZ (BCNZ) could be held using Zoom, which is very accessible.

Deaf Community

An additional meeting with members of the Deaf Community could be held using their preferred communication system.

Other Meetings

• More Zoom meetings can be held if required.

• One-on-one can also be held.

• Migrant Communities using a second language interpreter

Last Updated 28/04/2024

RESOURCES

• Zoom

• Zoom on Wikipedia

• Join DUNZ

• Our History

• The Plan

• What We Fight For

• Our People

Day 36 - Southland Deaf Community Leader Speaks Out

Southland Deaf Community Leader Speaks Out

By Roger Strong

YouTube: 25/04/2024

Roger Strong, President of Southland Deaf Community, uses video to explain how Invercargill needs a sign language interpreter , and the impact of the recent funding cuts. His wife Philippa Strong, provides his voice in the first segment, and then Roger uses NZ Sign Language. Subtitles by YouTube

Last Updated 26/04/2024

RESOURCES

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Day 8 - Southland Deaf Community - hear my voice

On behalf of the Executive and Members of the Southland Deaf Community I would like you to hear my voice.

Members of The Southland Deaf Community all have a disability, one way or another. 

We all rely on funding to support us with interpreters, GP's, and Appointments. 

We also rely on having someone to take us to these appointments if we are unable to get an interpreter. 

There aren't any interpreters based here in Invercargill, which makes it very difficult for the Southland Deaf Community.

It's okay to say to use Zoom or NZ Relay, but as many of our members are older, they need to be up to Modern Technology.

The cutbacks affect ourselves & whanau.

Many Thanks

Philippa Strong
Treasurer/Secretary

Resources

• https://southlanddeafcommunity.co.nz/

Day 2 - PSA - Deaf and Disability Committee

PSA

20 March 2024

It’s time for disability support to be well and reliably resourced.

We call on Penny Simmonds, the Minister for Disability Issues, to bridge the funding gaps in the Budget in May.

Disability support and intervention requires long term funding solutions appropriate to address the individual needs of those who seek it so that all disabled people can thrive.

The PSA’s Deaf and Disability Committee is outraged this Government is overseeing drastic cuts and restrictions to essential support for disabled whānau. With over a million New Zealanders living with some form of disability, ongoing funding deficiencies in the disability sector have caused untold hurt to our most vulnerable. These latest cuts have come out of the blue without conversation with our communities, even though they have the power to reshape many of our lives.

What we choose to fund is about what we choose to value. Successive governments have severely underfunded services, equipment, and programs that remove barriers for disabled people to participate fully in our communities and direct our lives. This underfunding has contributed to Whaikaha this week changing policies without warning or engagement. The decision to prioritise support and impose restrictions on spending parameters was undertaken without consulting families, carers, and those living with disabilities. This move will leave disabled kiwis cut off from the financial and social support needed to enable lives of dignity and autonomy.

We call on Penny Simmonds, the Minister for Disability Issues, to bridge the funding gaps in the Budget in May. The situation this week where thousands of families have been thrown into turmoil by inadequate resourcing is unacceptable, and unnecessary. It’s time for disability support to be well and reliably resourced.

The Deaf and Disability Committee supports the kaupapa of Whaikaha and believes that they are the right organisation to administer support for people living with disability. It is imperative that significant changes are made to ensure Whaikaha is resourced to provide demand-driven support for the needs of this ever-growing community.

We ask Minister Simmonds: How do you intend to bridge the funding gap? How are you going to ensure the needs of the disabled community are addressed in the upcoming budget?

Kia kaha,

PSA Deaf and Disability Committee

RESOURCES

• https://www.psa.org.nz/our-voice/deaf-and-disabled-members-network/

Background - NZ Herald - Focus: Student seeks support for petition to have hearing aid batteries funded for life

Focus: Student seeks support for petition to have hearing aid batteries funded for life

By: Cheree Kinnear

NZ Herald: 5am, 22/02/2024

Felix Shaw is calling on support for a petition he hopes to take to Parliament to have hearing aid batteries fully funded for over 18-year-olds. Video / NZ Herald ...

Green Bay High School student Felix Shaw wants support for a petition which he hopes to take to Parliament to have hearing aid batteries fully funded for adults. The 16-year-old, who was born deaf, sat down with NZ Herald Focus reporter Chereè Kinnear to discuss why he wants things to change so hearing becomes something everyone can afford.

Felix Shaw has been deaf his whole life.

The 16-year-old can hear thanks to implants and his $7500 hearing aids, which have been fully funded.

But in two years, he’ll have to take over the costs himself, including paying for hearing aid batteries.

“I discovered last year that when I turn 18, I’m going to have to pay $7.50 a week just so I can hear,” Shaw told Focus.

“Once I started to get my head around the numbers, I thought, ‘This is actually a problem that’s not only affecting me, but is going to affect loads of people’.”

The Green Bay High School student presented a speech to his class on the topic before deciding to take action by setting up a petition.

“I put it up and I didn’t think it would get much support, but I got over 1000 signatures within a short time and everyone was sharing it online, and the support was overwhelming.”

The petition, “Stop people born deaf having to pay for hearing aid batteries once they turn 18,″ has just under 2000 signatures and has turned heads in Parliament.

Felix Shaw was left shocked when he discovered he would have to fund his own hearing aid batteries once he turned 18. Photo / Cameron Pitney

Shaw met with Labour MP Deborah Russell last year, who encouraged him to take the matter to Wellington.

“The dream would be to present the petition on the steps of Parliament,” Shaw said.

“But more realistically, I would meet with a politician and it would be a formal handover, and then the politician would take it down to Parliament then it would get read out in the house.”

National Foundation for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Foundation (NFDHH) chief executive Natasha Gallardo said the petition “highlighted an issue felt by many”.

“We receive a lot of feedback from our community on that particular issue,” she said.

“We try to provide cost-effective batteries through the NFDHH as an option for our community, but it’s definitely something that is felt across the board.”

Around one million Kiwis live with hearing loss, and that figure is set to double by 2050.

There are a range of hearing aid options - some, like Felix’s are battery-powered, while others are rechargeable.

Most need to be replaced every five years.

“Consideration given to a subsidy for consumables, particularly for low-income earners, would be appropriate,” Gallardo said. “You can be fitted with glasses for $150 and that’s it. But you can spend up to $10,000 for premium hearing aids.

“On top of that, depending on what type of hearing aid you have, you’ve got the consumables like hearing aid batteries that are an ongoing cost.”

Shaw hopes his petition will bring change so hearing becomes something everyone can afford.

Last Updated 17/08/2024

Resources

• https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/focus-student-seeks-support-for-petition-to-have-hearing-aid-batteries-funded-for-life/Q6K75U72QFASVNBVNSUTBAOVSE/

• https://greenbayhigh.school.nz/news/term-2-2024/felix-takes-on-parliament

• Step by step guide PDF (Google Drive)

• Change.org petition