New Zealand Sign Language Week Highlights Inclusion at Fonterra Clandeboye

At Fonterra's Clandeboye depot near Timaru, Tanker Operator Joe Emmanuel is part of a fleet of 70 tankers collecting around 2.6 billion litres of milk each day.

His day starts much like anyone else's.

Supporting a Deaf Tanker Operator

"I arrive at work and wait for the manager to give me the instructions of what I need to do that day. I'll read it through and then just get stuck in," he says.

But behind the routine is a team that's made simple, practical changes to support Emmanuel.

Driver Trainer Assessor, Brett Maddren, says he was unsure at first how training a deaf tanker operator would work.

"Because of the way we communicate, I thought it would be difficult. Then I went home and thought, 'how could I actually do this and make it work?'" says Maddren.

Visual Skills Became A Strength

When Emmanuel came in for his initial interview and driving assessment, Maddren says it was clear to see his strengths as a teacher.

"We teach a lot of drivers about scanning and looking, but Emmanuel already does that because he's very good visually, so that was a great attribute to have."

The next step was induction, which includes a lot of group chats, something Maddren didn't want Emmanuel to miss out on.

Emmanuel says one simple change made a huge difference.

"Brett wore a microphone that was connected to my phone so I could get a live transcript and didn't miss out on anything. That was fantastic. It was an immediate adjustment that meant I could be included," says Emmanuel.

New Zealand Relay Service Assisted Recruitment Process

Throughout his recruitment journey, Emmanuel had the support of New Zealand Relay, a free government-funded service enabling people with hearing and speech communication difficulties to use the phone.

Since joining the depot last August, Emmanuel says the team has built a supportive, deaf-aware environment.

"Everyone knows they shouldn't talk to me across the room. They need to face me, and they've gotten on board with that," he says.

"In the mornings, the team manager will face me and speak slowly so I can lip read."

Visual Systems Help Improve Safety and Communication

Emmanuel mainly communicates through text and has also developed visual ways of working on site.

"When I'm unloading a tanker, I will turn on a light to signal green to let people know the valve is open. That's a visual system that lets them know what's going on."

When new people come into the depot environment Emmanuel says it can be nerve-wracking to meet them.

"I wonder how I'm going to communicate and if it'll go smoothly. But really, I feel like I'm treated as an equal here. I'm the same as every other member of the team."

Workplace Inclusion Benefits the Entire Team

Maddren believes that inclusion benefits the whole team.

"If people feel left out, that's not good for morale. Inclusivity is important, regardless of what language you speak. We don't discriminate and everyone is treated the same."

That connection also shows up day-to-day.

"We get on well and like to have a laugh," says Maddren. "Especially across the room, because Emmanuel is very good at reading your face."

New Zealand Sign Language Week Builds Awareness

New Zealand Sign Language Week recognises New Zealand Sign Language as one of the country's three official languages, alongside English and Māori.

For Emmanuel, it's a choice to build awareness and connection.

"I'm so happy that I'm meeting people that know about New Zealand Sign Language, that want to learn it," says Emmanuel.

"It's a really week for us in the deaf community."