Virtual Deaf Space and Immersion Hui

Over four days, the students exchanged their identity and others’ misperceptions about them and compared Deaf culture with other cultures. We toured the Sumner campus and museum and visited the Christchurch deaf club to learn more about Deaf history and Deaf spaces. They thoroughly enjoyed activities like the bus stop queue, creating a digital Deaf history timeline and performing an impromptu Deaf classroom scene in the past and present.

 Fun social evenings included ten-pin bowling and games at Christchurch deaf club and residence. The Immersion Hui ended with a panel of Deaf leaders who shared their Deafhood journey, education, careers, successes, and advocacy experiences and answered students’ questions. Before we parted ways, the students gave moving speeches of thanks to residential staff, interpreters and teachers, Nirvana Graham, Thora Huebner, Cha’nel Kaa-Luke and me.

We felt goosebumps as we observed how the deaf students connected, grew more confident, shared stories and aspirations, discovered Deafhood, deaf identity, cultures, Deaf community, advocacy and their rights, and were inspired by Deaf leaders. Some have gone on to advocate, like Hope with her captioning standards petition and Noelani teaching NZSL to ski groups.

Student feedback:
“It was nice talking about Deaf culture, Deafhood and everything like that. I’m the only Deaf person at school, so I can’t talk about things like that. I think it’s important for me to communicate with Deaf people about their Deafhood journey, life and everything like that because hearing people wouldn’t relate to that, so I can express myself and communicate in NZSL. I felt alone on the journey because I’m surrounded by hearing people. It’s nice to connect with Deaf people here – Deaf or hard of hearing – and be able to communicate in NZSL and have conversations where I don’t miss out on anything.” Lucy, Year 11