Ending sign language service during Question Time a 'huge mistake', advocates say

Parliament is stopping New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpretation of Question Time, a move which Deaf Action NZ calls "disappointing". 

Parliament today decided to cease interpretation of Question Time, where MPs ask Ministers questions relating to their portfolios, after concerns resources were being stretched. 

Clerk of the House of Representatives David Wilson said it was a joint decision with Deaf Aotearoa, "and we've been told that having interpreters at Parliament every day that the House sits is putting a lot of pressure on the services they offer in other areas like at the doctor, in schools or when getting legal advice". 

However, Deaf Action NZ chairperson Kim Robinson told 1 NEWS the removal of the interpreters was a "huge mistake". 

"The New Zealand deaf community deserves better access within Government than this. NZSL is an official language and is the only means of access for many people in the community."

He said the work could be done remotely via a livestream that could "fit the current Parliament TV picture in picture format". 

"It shows that there has been no engagement with the community in related to access to the value of the service or to consider alternative means of provision."

Acting Clerk of the House of Representatives Suze Jones said an open tender was launched for a provider to interpret Question Time. 

"Unfortunately, we did not receive any tenders from suppliers who could do the work on an ongoing basis at this time. iSign did provide excellent services for several months, but after discussion with Deaf Aotearoa on the impact this was having on community needs, we decided to end the service for now.

"The tender specified that interpreters should work from our Wellington Parliament TV studio. Parliament TV is a live service. The interpreters (Te Reo and NZSL) get fed a sound live-feed from the Parliament Chamber (as opposed to the TV feed, which would be available to people off-site).

"This enables the delay from the MPs speaking in the Chamber to when the NZSL interpretation goes up on the TV to be short enough to be comprehensible. We do not consider that the delay from remote interpretation to be acceptable with the current technologies."

She said they were open to exploring this "to see how we can make Parliament as accessible as possible to everyone". 

Mr Wilson said NZSL interpretation would return to Question Time during New Zealand Sign Language Week, Budget Day for the Budget Statement and during stages of the Election Access Fund Bill.

"We know some people in the deaf community really liked the NZSL interpretation for oral questions so it's a careful balancing act," Mr Wilson said.

"For deaf people fluent in English Parliament TV is also fully captioned."

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