Image credit: © 2023, Radio New Zealand.
Merge NZ is proud to share the success of our recent collaboration with Hato Hone St John in Christchurch, where we delivered New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) training tailored to the health sector. Over a six-week period, 56 ambulance staff members dedicated themselves to learning NZSL, totalling an impressive 27 hours of training.
The goal of this initiative was to equip Hato Hone St John ambulance staff with the skills needed to better communicate with Deaf patients, and improve the overall care they provide. The customised NZSL for Health Professionals training focused on essential health-related NZSL vocabulary, phrases, and communication strategies that can be used in medical settings, helping to bridge the gap between hearing and Deaf individuals during critical moments.
Our qualified and experienced NZSL teacher, Janice Howard (pictured), led the course. Janice, who is culturally Deaf, brought not only her deep understanding of NZSL, but also firsthand insight into the communication needs of the Deaf community. Her expertise made the course both practical and highly engaging for participants.
Janice has been teaching with passion over the past few weeks, ensuring that each session was interactive and tailored to the specific needs of the health professionals. The feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about applying what they’ve learned in their day-to-day work.
56 participants, committed to six weeks of learning, are now equipped with the confidence to use NZSL in their roles. This achievement represents a significant step forward in ensuring that Deaf individuals receive equitable and accessible service in emergency situations.
"The course was initially offered to staff as part of their cultural competency requirement under the Continued Professional Development (CPD) component of registration. From the outset, it became evident that the knowledge gained extended far beyond fulfilling this requirement, significantly enhancing the quality of care provided to the Deaf community. Personally, I have applied the skills learned from the course to establish rapport and effectively communicate with a number of deaf patients - a connection that would not have been possible before. Equitable access to healthcare is vital, and this represents a meaningful step forward in supporting the Christchurch community". Aaron Turner, Critical Care Paramedic
As Merge NZ continues to expand its NZSL courses across various sectors, we look forward to working with more organisations like Hato Hone St John, promoting inclusion and accessibility through the power of sign language.
Together, we are making New Zealand a more inclusive place for everyone, one sign at a time.
For further training in your organisation, please visit our website or contact:
Merge NZ by email: info@mergenz.co.nz
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