Being deaf no barrier for graduate

This year’s New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week—which runs until 18 May—is extra special for Mark Berry, a native signer, as it coincides with his graduation from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Arts.

Mark Berry

“It is very special for me to graduate during a week where my first language is being celebrated. My studies were conducted in NZSL thanks to a team of NZSL interpreters employed by Victoria,” says Mark.

Mark’s family is also deaf and the main form of communication in his home is NZSL, which he credits for his success.

“I am very fortunate to have my parents who are deaf and my deaf siblings because we all were able to give each other strong foundations in language. From that, I am able to do anything, whatever I wanted to do, and now I have completed one of my dreams.”

Mark is currently working as an intern at the Ministry of Education, assisting with sign language initiatives.

In September, he is planning to take part in an international deaf youth leadership training programme called Frontrunners—a nine month course based in Denmark. Along with his peers, Mark will be studying through international sign, a form of contact language, where the group will come up with sign for each concept on the spot.

One of the course modules involves participants choosing a country to work with to support and empower the local deaf community. Mark hopes to go to Vanuatu during his project.

This year marks the eighth annual New Zealand Sign Language week, led by Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand, focusing on raising the profile of NZSL and celebrating one of the country’s official languages.

Watch a video of Mark here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3KbWf4p_Gw