My name is Leah Petersen and I have a Deaf daughter Alana Best.  Alana was successfully educated in mainstream classes in Whangarei using the Regional Service from Kelston Deaf Education Centre.  She has a Cochlear Implant but her first language is NZSL.  She is currently at AUT studying environmental science.  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).  Prior to this I spent many years as a teacher aide/communicator for Deaf and hearing impaired children from Primary through to High School and spent 5 years as the Administration Coordinator for the National parents group; 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 to know about Deaf culture.