Lately there have been several issues of concern to the deaf community. One concerns the apparent dysfunctional relationship between Vancouver Coastal Health and Well-Being Program for the Deaf. Another concerns the apparent likelihood of harmful effects of cochlear implants on the brains of young deaf children. B.C. Liberals which had conducted several disability access meetings last winter now are saying it will take more than ten years to deal with all accessibility issues. Parents of deaf children anywhere in B.C. are NOT allowed to send their children to B.C. School for the Deaf without the consent of their school districts. We do not have American Sign Language as an official language of B.C. There continues to be an apparent confusion about Deaf Community Foundation. The B.C. Government is more interested in cutting taxes apparently for the sake of cutting taxes instead of making our tax money work smarter and for the benefit of all citizens, even if it means an increase of our taxes. While the B.C. Deaf Caucus will not deal with taxes, we will make the government face issues and provide increased accessibility, and better and harmonious services; and allow more involvement for us in government decision making procedures.
To deal with these and other issues, I am proposing a formation of the B.C. Deaf Caucus, which is essentially a movement, a group of concerned deaf citizens to deal with various governmental agencies and the B.C. Government itself. We need to push issues to their attention and to require them to work with us to our complete satisfaction.
Who may join the B.C. Deaf Caucus? Anyone who is deaf and ready to give some time to work with others and to write letters, to make calls, and to meet with those who can make changes for our benefit. Not just the deaf only, but also CODA. Interpreters, too. Parents of deaf children, of course. Even those deaf citizens who are currently government employees are welcome as they are members of the Deaf community in the first place. Finally, any other people who are actively working with deaf on a regular basis are welcome to join, too (for example, WIDHH, PSDHH, BCSD, IDHHC.) However, the B.C. Deaf Caucus will be the voice of interested deaf citizens of B.C. supported by others such as interpreters, parents, and professionals.
I will help to set up the caucus but will not lead it. I intend to work within the caucus. It is my opinion only but I prefer that the chair/leader rotate on a yearly basis.
If you are interested in working for the B.C. Deaf Caucus (no money, but a sense of belonging to a vast Deaf community) and if you are willing to give some of your personal time, then please let me know by emailing to wayne.sinclair.77@facebook.com. Explain very briefly which issue(s) you will want to work on. Give me your name, your email address, and the name of your town in which you live (street address not necessary). We have succeeded so far with BCVRS and the International Congress of Education of the Deaf; both started with a caucus. This caucus will deal with B.C. Government and any government agencies that need to be contacted. Will we succeed? It’s up to you.
The email address I listed above is temporary. I will respond from my actual email address.
Let me know by September 15th.
