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Story: Disability and disability organisations

Celebrating the Sign Language Act 2006

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Celebrating the Sign Language Act 2006

In 2002 the government set up an Office for Disability Issues and introduced policies that took greater account of the needs of disabled people. This included making New Zealand sign language an official language, and in 2006 the New Zealand Sign Language Act became law. Here supporters celebrate the passing of the measure on the steps of Parliament.

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Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education New Zealand

by Royce Flynn

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How to cite this page

Martin Sullivan, Disability and disability organisations – Ideas about disability care, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/29173/celebrating-the-sign-language-act-2006 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Martin Sullivan, published 30 March 2011.