Sign For Change
See it. Sign it. Change it.
Sign for Change invites people across Aotearoa to learn 30 everyday New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) signs in 30 days and help raise awareness of one of our three official languages.
Whether at home, in the classroom, at preschool, at work or in the community, using even a few everyday signs can help make NZSL more visible and inclusion more practical.
Learn 30 NZSL signs in 30 days and help make everyday life more inclusive
- Learn 30 everyday NZSL signs in 30 days
- Help raise awareness of NZSL across Aotearoa
- Free to take part
- No previous NZSL experience needed
- Join as an individual, school, preschool or workplace
Registration ensures that you receive the relevant resources and that the videos are emailed to you once the campaign starts.
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Why this matters
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is one of Aotearoa's three official languages.
For the Deaf community, NZSL is much more than a way to communicate. It is language, identity, culture and connection.
Yet many New Zealanders know very little about NZSL or the important place it holds in our country's identity.
Sign for Change is about changing that.
By learning 30 everyday NZSL signs, you can help raise awareness of New Zealand Sign Language, celebrate Deaf culture, and encourage more people to recognise and value one of Aotearoa's official languages.
Every sign learned helps make NZSL more visible across our homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
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Get Involved in Sign for Change
Whether you're taking part as an individual, whānau, school, preschool, workplace or community group, Sign for Change offers plenty of ways to celebrate New Zealand Sign Language and help raise awareness across Aotearoa.
Sign for Change is free to take part in. If you'd like to further support the work of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation, you can choose to make an optional donation or fundraise.
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Learn
Learn 30 everyday NZSL signs through short videos presented by a Deaf signer and discover one of Aotearoa's official languages.
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Give
Make an optional donation to support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation's wider work in advocacy, education, awareness and community programmes.
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Fundraise
Want to do more? Fundraise as part of Sign for Change and help support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation's ongoing work for Deaf and hard of hearing New Zealanders.
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Schools & Preschools
Schools and early learning centres can take part by introducing tamariki and rangatahi to simple everyday NZSL signs through short weekly videos.
It’s a fun way to raise awareness of New Zealand Sign Language, celebrate one of Aotearoa’s official languages, and help young people discover more about Deaf culture and community.
Register your school or preschool
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Workplaces
Workplaces can take part by learning NZSL as a team, booking an NZSL or Deaf awareness workshop, or hosting an optional fundraiser in support of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation.
It’s a meaningful way to raise awareness of NZSL and celebrate one of Aotearoa’s official languages in your workplace.
Get your workplace involved
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Individuals & Communities
You don’t need any previous NZSL experience to take part. Learn 30 everyday signs, share the campaign with friends and whānau, or encourage others in your community to discover New Zealand Sign Language.
Every sign learned helps raise awareness and celebrate NZSL across Aotearoa.
Start your NZSL journey
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Register Today to Join Sign for Change
Registering will ensure you receive the relevant Sign for Change resources
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How Sign for Change works
Learn 30 everyday NZSL signs in 30 days.
Each week, you’ll receive a link to short NZSL videos introduced by a Deaf signer.
Each video introduces one sign, gives you time to practise, and shows the sign in context.
You can learn one sign a day, or go at a pace that works for you.
Share what you’re learning at home, at work, at school or in your community, and invite others to take part.
Why join?
By taking part, you can:
- Learn 30 everyday NZSL signs
- Raise awareness of NZSL as one of Aotearoa’s official languages
- Celebrate Deaf culture and community
- Share your learning with friends, whānau, classmates or colleagues
Make sure to register to receive the Sign for Change resources.
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