No Words to Describe It

No Words to Describe It

The National Foundation for the Deaf have began work with The Business Marketing Group to tackle an issue that will affect hundreds of thousands of Kiwis during the Rugby World Cup.

Approximately 1 in 6 Kiwis are hard of hearing and by 2050 it will be one in 4 of us. Despite that, the RWC have just announced that the competition won't be captioned In New Zealand, denying enjoyment to all who cannot hear broadcast television.

Louise Carroll, CEO of the Foundation says" Imagine if you will, what it would be like if you cannot hear the voice on the television telling you how the game is progressing and have to wait for someone sitting beside you to tell you what is happening in the game? This is what will be happening".

Ben Cochrane, Director of Parnell based Strategic Marketing Agency 'The Business' says "Chances are we know someone who is hard of hearing. It's not just older people either, it affects a lot of us and the government should legislate for captioning. In the UK everything is captioned and the hard of hearing in Britain will be able to watch the same RWC with full captions because it's legislated for. This isn't a problem that is going to go away".

The National Foundation for the Deaf and Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand are appalled and both Agencies are calling on Hon Amy Adams, Minister for Broadcasting and SKY TV to address this matter.

Meanwhile, The Business and The National Foundation for the Deaf are developing plans to engage New Zealanders in a campaign to end what is an injustice for many Kiwi's.

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