See it. Sign it. Change it.
Schools, workplaces, whānau and communities across Aotearoa are celebrating New Zealand Sign Language through Sign for Change.
This resource page contains everything you need to take part in Sign for Change and help raise awareness of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), one of Aotearoa's three official languages.
Access your daily NZSL videos, downloadable resources, campaign materials and digital supporter badge that we invite you to share with your network.
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How Sign for Change works
Each week, you'll receive a link to short NZSL videos presented by a Deaf signer.
Each video introduces a new everyday sign, gives you time to practise, and shows you how the sign is used.
You can learn one sign a day or go at a pace that works for you.
Try using each new sign with your friends, whānau, classmates or colleagues as you continue discovering New Zealand Sign Language.
Every sign you learn helps raise awareness of NZSL and celebrates one of Aotearoa New Zealand's three official languages.
Let's get started!
Support our work
If you'd like to further support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation, you can make an optional donation.
Your generosity helps us continue our work in advocacy, education, awareness and community programmes that support Deaf and hard of hearing New Zealanders across Aotearoa.
Sign for Change is free to take part in, and donations are entirely optional.
You can donate via the form opposite or through online banking.
Online Bank Transfer
- Account Name: The National Foundation for the Deaf Incorporated
- Account Number: 12-3011-0519936-51
- Reference:Your name
- Code:Your name or Supporter ID
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30 Days of NZSL
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Week 1: Getting Started
Welcome to Sign for Change!
This week, you'll begin discovering New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), one of Aotearoa New Zealand's three official languages.
Let's start by learning a few everyday signs.
Week 2: Connection
This week's theme is Connection.
Connection begins with learning.
This week, you'll discover everyday NZSL signs that you can practise and share with your friends, whānau, classmates or colleagues.
Day 9: How are you? Day 13: Talk
Week 3: Everyday NZSL
This week’s theme is Everyday NZSL.
New Zealand Sign Language is used every day—in homes, schools, workplaces and communities across Aotearoa.
This week, you'll learn everyday signs that you can practise and share with your friends, whānau, classmates or colleagues.
Week 4: Celebrating NZSL
This week's theme is Celebrating NZSL.
Over the past few weeks, you've discovered everyday New Zealand Sign Language signs and learned more about one of Aotearoa New Zealand's three official languages.
This week, we'll finish by learning signs that celebrate connection, community and New Zealand Sign Language.
Bonus Content - Directional/Inflecting signs
In NZSL, some signs are directional/inflecting, meaning the direction of movement shows who is doing the action and who is receiving it. HELP and GIVE are great examples. The starting and ending points indicate who is giving what to whom.
This bonus content allows us to explore the richness and grammar of NZSL a bit further.
Keep Learning NZSL
If Sign for Change sparked your interest in NZSL, here are two ways to keep building your knowledge and confidence of NZSL.
- Explore Learn NZSL, an online resource designed to help you learn NZSL at your own pace.
- Use the NZSL Dictionary to look up signs, explore their meanings and continue expanding your vocabulary.
Download campaign resources
Help share your participation in Sign for Change. Download ready-to-use posters for preschools, schools and workplaces, plus the Sign for Change logo to use across your own channels.
Share Your Sign for Change Supporter Badge
You can download the Sign for Change supporter badge and share it with whānau, on your website, or on social media to amplify your commitment to learning 30 NZSL signs in 30 days.
When sharing online, please use #SignForChange so we can celebrate your participation and help grow the movement across Aotearoa.
Share Your Signs
Share the signs you're learning and encourage your friends, whānau and colleagues to discover New Zealand Sign Language too. Together we can help raise awareness of NZSL across Aotearoa.
When sharing online, please use #SignForChange so we can celebrate your participation.
Support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation
If you'd like to do more during Sign for Change, you can choose to fundraise in support of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Foundation.
Every dollar raised helps us continue our wider work supporting Deaf and hard of hearing New Zealanders through advocacy, education and community programmes.
