Deaf New Zealanders on a flight from Auckland to Wellington have — for the first time — been given flight-safety instructions in their own language.
The “world-first” marked the start of New Zealand Sign Language week and also signalled a new chapter in the national carrier’s journey in embracing sign.
Jon Tai-Rakena, who’s Deaf and relies on NZSL to communicate, flies often. He said its usually an isolating experience.
“This flight demonstrates a level of inclusion that makes Deaf people feel seen and welcomed onboard.”
The five flight attendants operating the service all had at least a basic knowledge of NZSL and used it during passenger announcements and while distributing the onboard refreshments.
Everyone on board was encouraged to give the language a go, with illustration cards featuring signs for popular inflight items like “water”, “cookie” and “lolly” placed on seats.
Air New Zealand’s Ed Collett, who’s leading the airline’s disability approach, said they’re been working hard to enable more employees to use NZSL.
“Last year we worked with Deaf Aotearoa to create an NZSL training module for our people, giving them the opportunity to learn 30 travel-related signs,” he said.
“It’s been hugely popular, with around 400 Air New Zealanders completing it. Customers can look out for crew wearing the special NZSL Supporter lapel pin, which indicates the wearer has started their NZSL journey.”
Twenty-three thousand people use sign language in New Zealand, and for 4600 people it is their main form of communication.
Featuring sign in airline safety messaging has been a point of contention in recent times.
Advocacy group Deaf Action New Zealand originally wrote to Air New Zealand in 2018 to request NZSL be included in their videos.
The group went on to petition the Civil Aviation Authority to change its rules and enforce use of sign language.
Last year the Ombudsman ruled the regulatory body’s decision not to include it was “unreasonable”.
At the time, 1News asked Air New Zealand if their approach would change, as a result of the Ombudsman’s position.
The airline simply referred back to the CAA rules: “Air New Zealand’s onboard safety briefs and safety videos must meet mandatory Civil Aviation Authority requirements. We’ll continue to ensure these are met.”
Today, Collett said the company was doing more work around how it integrates NZSL.
“It’s one of the things we’re looking at, how we can roll it out more widely and authentically.
“So there’s a bit of work underway within the company to look at where we can use it for media, for branding, for safety videos for everything,” he said.
Deaf Aotearoa’s chief executive Lachlan Keating said it was pleasing to see the airline taking the first step in its journey, with the world-first NZSL led flight.
“We’ve begun discussions with Air New Zealand about having sign language in their in-flight video and increased accessibility, this is a step in the right direction but certainly we would agree that there’s long way to go.”
Tai-Rakena has high hopes for the future.
“I hope there will be more NZSL in the sky and on the ground as Kiwis start to adopt more of our beautiful language,” he said.
“It’s my first language, and if I don’t have people to talk to, how do I access the world?”
‘It’s very useful’ – Air NZ staffer
Flight attendant Todd Sims said he learnt sign language because of his partner, who is profoundly Deaf.
“We’ve been together for about seven years. When we started dating, I didnt have any sign language experience or knowledge but he was very patient and taught me how to sign.”
He’s now able to use the skill on the job, but said he’s still got a lot to learn.
“I’m not exactly fluent, but I’ve come a long way.”
Another Air NZ staffer Janna Cachola-Bird said she learnt sign during lockdown.
“I’ve always been really passionate about sign language, and I’ve noticed since I’ve been working at Air New Zealand I’ve been using it maybe every other day,” she said.
She said that’s led to her wanting to learn even more.
“It’s very useful,” she told 1News.
“There’s been times where I’ve had a passenger who was late for their flight, or had been cancelled during a disrupt, and just being able to communicate to them, that, hey your flight is delayed or your flight’s been cancelled,” Cachola-Bird said.
She found it easier to learn than English.
