I work in the disability sector as a DIAS Outreach Coordinator for Northland.  I am Treasurer of Northland Parents of Deaf Children and on the advisory board for the NZ Relay Service and B4 School Programme (Northland). I have spent many years as a teacher aide/communicator for Deaf children from Primary through to High School and spent 5years working for New Zealand Federation for Deaf Children. I believe that every Deaf and hearing impaired child should be leaving school able to read and write effectively, passing national standards and have the right to know about Deaf culture.