Bridging the gap between the hearing and Deaf worlds with New Zealand Sign Language
Who we are
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Your Partners in NZSL Accessibility
A Deaf-led team providing expert translation, interpreting, and consultancy services from the heart of Wellington.
At Signability, we believe that true accessibility goes beyond just “providing an option”—it’s about creating meaningful, culturally accurate connections. As a Deaf-led business, we provide the linguistic expertise and technical tools needed to make your information accessible to the New Zealand Deaf community.
Whether you are a government agency, a private business, or a community organisation, we help you lead the way in inclusion through our three core service pillars:
NZSL
Translation
We transform English text and media into high-quality NZSL video. Our Wellington-based studio is equipped to handle everything from emergency public announcements to educational resources and corporate web content, ensuring your message is clear, professional, and culturally appropriate.
NZSL Interpreting
Our qualified interpreters provide a bridge for real-time communication. From board meetings and conferences to one-on-one consultations, we ensure that every participant has an equal seat at the table with accurate, fluent, and reliable interpreting services.
Deaf Consultancy
Accessibility starts with a strategy. We provide expert consultancy to help organisations understand Deaf culture, navigate accessibility requirements, and implement best practices. We don’t just fix problems; we help you build a more inclusive future from the ground up.
FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions?
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is a sophisticated, visual-gestural language and the primary language of New Zealand’s Deaf community. Far from being a signed version of English, NZSL is a distinct linguistic system with its own intricate grammar, syntax, and cultural heritage. It is fully capable of expressing complex, nuanced, and abstract ideas with the same precision as any other global language.
The New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006 officially recognises NZSL as an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand, alongside Te Reo Māori and English. For government agencies and businesses, this Act provides a framework for ensuring that the Deaf community can access information and services on an equal basis with all other New Zealanders.
NZSL Interpreting happens in real-time (live), where an interpreter facilitates a conversation between two different languages as it happens.
NZSL Translation is a production process where a pre-recorded video or written English text is carefully translated into a high-quality NZSL video for later viewing.