SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand

SignDNA is the home of Aotearoa New Zealand’s visual Deaf history. A place to celebrate how far NZSL has come; a taonga for the NZSL & Deaf community.

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

Those taonga items have been provided by Manawatu Deaf Society, the Margaret Coutts collection, and Auckland Deaf Society. We look forward to adding more images in this section in the next few months. Keep an eye out for them and your club/group's collection! 3/3

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

SignDNA is really excited to launch a brand new section to the archive: IMAGES. This section will contain lots of photos, slides and other pictures further developing the archive and the breadth of information it contains. 1/3

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

We are passionate about film and video but there are many other items that enrich the archive and give abroad understanding of Deaf history and culture. This new section - https://t.co/OwaIhVrVNC – is being launched with over 100 team photos. 2/3

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

Pop over to the PUBLICATIONS section on SignDNA! All the old issues of 'Ephpheta' from the 1970s and 1980s are now on the archive! The newsletter was originally called the 'Catholic Deaf Newsletter'. It is now called the Deaf Southern Star' #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

VIDEO | 1985: It’s not often we get to see four New Zealanders on the Deaflympics podium at the same time, and that is what we get in this video! It's most certainly time to break out the champagne when the team gets back to their base with speeches #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

VIDEO | 1985. A peek at the action happening in the locker room of the New Zealand Deaf Men's Basketball team, playing at the 1985 Los Angeles World Deaf Games. The team plays a much better second half! Full clip at https://t.co/ZquLwq1wNy #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

Full clips available at https://t.co/2cutVpQvXl

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

We've got an epic video of two New Zealanders competing in the cycling individual time trial event at the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles 1985. The gold goes to John Ooteman! Dressed in jandals, he takes to the podium, supported by a crew of New Zealand supporters #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

39 years ago this month, New Zealand sent a team of 30-athletes to the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles (1985). Here's a wee clip of the team marching on Dominion Road with farewell speeches. Full clip at https://t.co/1w02u88uPy #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

It's Pride Month, and we have a cool clip from 2001 where Queer Nation meets a sporty deaf lesbian with nimble fingers! Lorraine talks about her identity, involvement with deaf sports, performing and access. View video at https://t.co/CgsqXricOJ #DeafHistory #NZSL

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

SignDNA has added over 300 newspaper articles related to the NZ Deaf community to the archive. Go on and have a look! https://t.co/3SOrmIz6Ed. We still have more to add and there are many more missing. If you have any old 'Deaf-related' articles at home, please get in touch!

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

You might have noticed a new purple icon on SignDNA's main page. This means an item leads to an external site. This helps us to collaborate with other archives and makes it easier for you to find what you are looking for. Enjoy exploring Deaf history with SignDNA!

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

Wellington Deaf Society has recently released a new History section on its website after two years of digitising its materials! It’s been a privilege for SignDNA to be able to provide its expertise & support. Enjoy exploring WDS’s materials at https://t.co/lt3MIzbSfJ #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

New Zealand is known for its innovative spirit; its 'no.8 wire' mentality. We were the first to introduce a light system for the 1989 World Deaf Games @deaflympics in the athletics & swimming races, created by a Christchurch hearing man! https://t.co/x9FayY6Kwn #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

40 years ago, Japanese deaf climbers were ordered off Mt Cook by the then Prime Minister, Muldoon. Would the removal of ‘handicapped’ climbers be acceptable today? Most certainly not! Sir Edmund Hillary complained saying that he supported the deaf climbers https://t.co/tQi1grGc8y

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

@Deaf_Aotearoa We’re at @SignDNA

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

@Deaf_Aotearoa We’re at @SignDNA too!

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

#OnThisDay - 4 April 1964: The Governor-General and his wife visits Kelston School for the Deaf (now Ko Taku Reo). They were entertained by swimming and gymnastics display by its deaf pupils. View videos at https://t.co/hGfw2xacl1 #NZSL #DeafHistory

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

#OnThisDay - 5 March 1996. The census included two questions on disability; the first time that disability issues was covered in a New Zealand census. A ‘signed video’ was produced for Deaf people in preparation for the census. Source: https://t.co/XoI9lYfdD9 #DeafHistory #NZSL

[SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand @SignDNA]

#OnThisDay - 28 February 1981. The launch of ‘News Review’! A weekly news programme for the Deaf was screened on TV2, with combined NZ and overseas news of the week. Saturday evenings, 6 – 6.15pm with captions. Source: NZ Deaf News 1981 (Vol 18, No 1): https://t.co/xHaEP76gML