Resources to support awareness weeks

The book, called “I go to the toilet,” was developed by Northland students Mya Kereopa and Kahn Tangihaere-Brom. The inspiration for the project was Mya’s brother Zane. When she saw one of the learning resources her 4-year-old brother who has autism was given, she decided it wasn’t up to standard. So she and her Kamo High School business classmate Kahn Tangihaere-Brom have done something about it.

The pair created and printed a toileting book titled “I go to the toilet” targeted at children with intellectual disabilities, and with the help of Moretalk, are now planning to produce a Te Reo Maori version of the book.

Michelle Bonetti said Moretalk wanted to celebrate the te reo edition to mark Te Wiki o te reo Maori and Speech Language Therapy Awareness Week.

“We are a bicultural society and a multicultural society and there’s just not enough resources out there, not just for the diversity of the learners that we have, but the languages.”

The students are working with someone to help with translation, and then plan to take it to local iwi for feedback.

Zane was the first to test out the new book, and he loves it, according to Mya.

“Zane loves it, he brings it to the toilet all the time and mum and my brother sit in the toilet and read it together and he interacts with the pictures.”

Last month they printed their first 50 books and in the first day, they sold about 15. If you are interested in the books you can visit the NDLR Facebook page.

Read more at NZ Herald.