Students who are deaf or hard of hearing can request one or more of these exam assistants:
- Signer
- Signing Supervisor
- Reader
- Writer/Typist
How a Signer can support a deaf of hard of hearing student
As well as signing to the student during an assessment, a Signer will be able to:
- communicate any assessment instructions
- respond to general questions
- communicate any emergency instructions.
When a student is using a Signer, the student will have separate accommodation.
On this page
Writing support during assessments
Some deaf or hard of hearing students will find writing difficult, particularly those students who use New Zealand Sign Language as their preferred language.
For these students, NZQA can allow the student to have a Signer during assessments.
What a Signer does during an assessment
The student will sign the answers to the Signer.
The Signer can:
- either write the answers signed by the student
- or speak the answers so a Writer/Typist can write or type the answers. This option needs two exam assistants: the Signer and the Writer/Typist.
Exam assistants need to make sure they accurately translate the student’s sign production into its English equivalent to ensure authenticity.
Support for spelling during an assessment
A student might choose to write for themselves, as this best supports their thinking process.
However, if spelling is a barrier for them, they may request fingerspelling support (the representation of individual letters using the NZSL alphabet).
Reading support during assessments
Many deaf or hard of hearing students are capable readers in English or Te Reo Māori. They may not need help to read assessment questions.
If the student does need support with reading, NZQA can allow them to have a Signer.
If the student needs the full text translated into NZSL, they may need two exam assistants: the Reader and the Signer.
Criteria for having a Signer
The student must:
- use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as their first or most accessible language
- have a lower reading age than their hearing peers, so will need help to read assessment questions.
How the Signer can support the student
The Signer can use a combination of reading or translation techniques to support the student. This is based on the student’s specific needs.
These techniques can include:
When a student can request a Signing Supervisor
NZQA can approve a Signing Supervisor if one or more students are being supervised, and students don’t need signing support in reading or writing.
The Signing Supervisor makes sure:
- any spoken instructions given to all students are signed for deaf and hard of hearing students
- deaf and hard of hearing students can communicate any questions they may have
- deaf and hard of hearing students can receive any instructions in an emergency.
Separate accommodation for deaf and hard of hearing students
When schools set up separate accommodation for deaf and hard of hearing students, they can consider:
- adequate lighting so students can access visual cues, lip-read the reader’s face, and avoid backlighting
- limiting visual distractions, for example, movement outside the room
- providing a reader with a familiar voice e.g. pitch, volume, accent, speed
- how to arrange seating arrangements so students and exam assistants have the best chance to see and hear each other. For example, the reader should sit alongside or across from the student.
Work with the student to find the best arrangements.