Home Blog

ASL interpreted event: North Delta Community Safety / FireSmart Forum

0

GVAD is sharing this information:

Enhance your safety and resilience at our free Community Safety / FireSmart™ forum. ASL interpretations will be provided!
This FREE event brings together experts to share information on:

  • Neighbourhood Security with Block Watch Programs
  • Fraud/Scam Awareness and Prevention
  • Protecting Your Home & Property with FireSmart™ Principles
  • Emergency Preparedness

Date: Oct 18th, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Address: North Delta Centre for the Arts, 11425 84 Ave, Delta, BC

Information booths & Presentations from:
Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers
FireSmartBC™
PreparedBC
Survive-it.ca
GlobalScamWatch.org
and more.

More event info:
North Delta Community Safety / FireSmart Forum | Sunshine Woods BlockWatch
Free tickets:
North Delta Community Safety & FireSmart Forum

Job Opportunity: Game Tester (Persons with Disabilities – PwDs) Bellevue, WA, USA

0

GVAD is sharing this information: 

Company: C2S Technologies Inc
Location: Leading Gaming Company in Redmond, WA
Job Type: Part-time
Pay Rate: USD 22.00/Hr
Schedule: 09:00 AM 05:45 PM (Half day shifts available on special request)

Job Description:
We are seeking talented and passionate individuals who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, or who use screen readers to navigate websites/games to join our team as Game Testers. As a Game Tester, you will be asked to play games of various genres, styles, and scope. You will contribute to a more accessible gaming industry by providing feedback of your experiences playing games and how game design decisions affect you with your disabilities. Work on a team with other PwDs and trained accessibility Test Leads to provide game developers with accurate, up-to-date accessibility information.

Full job description:
Game Tester (Persons with Disabilities – PwDs) – C2S Technologies Inc – Bellevue, WA

Delivering Medical Aid to Gaza During a Genocide Dr. Tarek Loubani

0

GVAD is sharing this information:
Join us for this engaging conversation with Dr Loubani as he takes us through his recent assignment in Gaza with the GLIA foundation. This event have ASL interpretation booked for all cities.

 

 

Dr. Loubani is a Canadian ER physician and humanitarian returned from a medical-aid mission in Gaza and will speak about the crimes he witnessed, including the forced-starvation, attacks on Nasser Hospital and the mass casualties resulting from the so-called ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’. Dr Loubani has been on multiple aid missions to Gaza.

Dr. Loubani co-founded Glia, a medical solidarity organization that supports lifesaving care in low-resource areas and develops open-source medical tools to advance global equality. Come learn about the Glia project and how each of us can make a difference.

Ismailis for Palestine is proud to be organizing this event in collaboration with Independent Jewish Voices and very grateful to the Shaughnessy Heights United Church for opening their doors to host our event. Special thank you to Physicians Against Genocide for their support as well.

Donations to GLIA can be made when purchasing your ticket or directly on their site by clicking the link below. Any amount helps!

Tickets link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vancouverdelivering-medical-aid-to-gaza-during-a-genocide-dr-tarek-loubani-tickets-1672378131009

SAVE THE DATE for “ASL DROP” Evening of Entertainment

0

Get ready for an exciting night of fun and community at our ASL Drop Evening of Entertainment Fundraiser!

Saturday, November 22, 2025
Starts at 7:00 PM
Location: TBA
Cash Prizes!!

All proceeds support the GVAD 100th Anniversary Gala Committee as we celebrate 100 years of history and community.

Questions? Email us at GVAD100@gvad.ca

#GVAD100 #ASLDrop #DeafCommunity #100YearsStrong #Fundraise

For image alt-text:
Alt Text: Flyer with green stage curtains announcing “ASL Drop – Save the Date” on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 7:00 PM, location TBA. Cash prizes offered. Fundraiser for GVAD’s 100th Anniversary Gala. Contact: GVAD100@gvad.ca.

For visual description in comments:

Visual Description – ASL Drop Save the Date Flyer

  • Overall Layout: The flyer is designed like a stage performance announcement, with green theatre curtains pulled back on both sides and purple ribbon-like waves draped across the top. The center has a large black circle with bold lettering.
  • Top Section:
    • Green text: “GREATER VANCOUVER ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF”.
    • Bright red text: “SAVE THE DATE”.
  • Main Title (inside the black circle):
    • Large yellow text: “ASL”.
    • Large white text below it: “DROP”.
  • Highlights:
    • Green text under the circle: “CASH PRIZES!!”.
    • Event details in purple and black:
      • “Saturday NOV 22, 2025” on the left.
      • “Start at 7:00 PM” on the right.
    • Red text at the bottom center: “LOCATION TBA”.
  • Contact Info:
    • Green text at the bottom: “Questions? E-mail to: GVAD100@gvad.ca”.
  • Logos:
    • Bottom left: GVAD mountain logo and GVAD 100 Years anniversary logo (red hand sign in circle).
  • Footer:
    • Bold yellow text: “Fundraiser for GVAD 100 Year Anniversary Gala Committee”.

Deaf/Sign Union Flag ON SALE!

0

Deaf/Sign Union Flag ON SALE! 
Only $6.50 (was $10)

Designed by Deafblind artist Arnaud Balard, this flag shows visibility & pride in the Deaf community

Due to the Canada Post strike, we’re unable to offer free shipping at this time. After you order, we’ll contact you (by email or phone) to arrange pick-up.

Buy now: deafbc.ca shop

Questions? info@gvad.ca

Visual description of the flyer:
Beige background with bold blue panels for text. Bright yellow tags highlight “ON SALE!” and “BUY NOW!” for contrast. A hand holds the blue-and-yellow Deaf/Sign Union flag on the left. Price and details sit on the right, with a large $6.50 in blue. Bottom section features a QR code and info in a strong blue block. Clean, eye-catching, with high-contrast colors.

GVAD 100th Anniversary Gala Committee

0

The Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf (GVAD) is proud to announce the 100th Anniversary Gala Committee!

Meet the dedicated team working hard behind the scenes to make this milestone celebration unforgettable on May 16, 2026:

Melissa Mykle — Chairperson

Lisa Anderson — Promotions & Fundraising

Renu Sangha — Treasurer

Alayna Finley — Decor & Guest Engagement

Hester Hussey — GVAD Memorabilia & Registration

Lisa Cable — Accessibility

Terri Nolt — DeafBlind Access

Tammy Gray — GVAD Board Liaison

Thank you to our committee members for their commitment to the Deaf community and this historic celebration.

Save the date: May 16, 2026 at the Delta Marriott Hotel, Burnaby, BC.
Stay tuned — ticket sales and part of our exciting guest lineup will be announced soon! 

#GVAD100 #DeafCommunity #InclusionMatters #100YearsStrong

Here is visual description:

Event flyer with a green, purple, and white theme, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf. The event is scheduled for May 16, 2026.

The flyer lists the committee members and their roles:
Melissa Mykle – Chairperson
Lisa Anderson – Promotions & Fundraising
Renu Sangha – Treasurer
Alayna Finley – Decor & Guest Engagement
Hester Hussey – GVAD Memorabilia & Registration
Lisa Cable – Accessibility
Terri Nolt – DeafBlind Access
Tammy Gray – GVAD Board Liaison

For questions, the contact email is GVAD100@gvad.ca.

There’s a small photo of a hotel building lit up at night in purple and green hues, labeled “Hotel: Delta Marriott Hotel, 4331 Dominion Street, Burnaby, BC.” There is also a green stamp graphic with “16 MAY 2026” beside the word “Anniversary.” The flyer features a large, decorative “100th Anniversary” with artistic swirls and purple accent lines, along with the association’s logo at the top left.

OVAD Annual General Meeting & Workshop THIS Saturday!

0
First image description
Second image description

On Saturday, September 27th OVAD is hosting a workshop from 11am – 12:30pm at the Winfield United Church(3751 Woodsdale Rd) in Lake Country 
Lunch will be provided!

Our Annual General Meeting will be held after the workshop from 1pm – 3pm at the same location.

Are you interested in supporting OVAD and the Deaf community, or do you want to be a part of the board? Here’s your chance!

See you all there!

Free Film Screening: Who the Hell Is Nigel? + panel discussion

0

Free Film Screening + Panel

Join Story Money Impact for a special screening of Who the Hell Is Nigel? — a short
documentary that takes you behind the scenes of BC’s COVID-19 briefings, where Deaf ASL
interpreter Nigel Howard unexpectedly captured public attention. His dynamic style highlights
broader issues of underrepresentation in the Deaf community.
With panelists Ladan Sahraei & Jasper Vaillant

Moderated by Amy Amantea

Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Progress Lab 1422 · 1422 William Street, Vancouver
Reserve your free tickets: Story Money Impact Presents FREE Screening of Who the Hell Is Nigel?

Story Money Impact presents a screening of the documentary Who the Hell Is Nigel?, plus a panel discussion about disability justice and how it intersects with filmmaking.


ABOUT THE FILM:

During the BC COVID-19 news briefings, an unwitting hero is made of Nigel Howard, a Deaf ASL interpreter who became an overnight sensation due to his dynamic interpretation style. Through his rise to fame, the underrepresentation of the Deaf community becomes glaringly evident.

Who the Hell Is Nigel? is a Deaf-friendly film that spotlights the needs of the Deaf community and models how to fully include them. The film uses split screens to prioritize ASL over captioning, and interpreters’ facial expressions are visible to communicate emotional tone. These are just some of the small ways to prioritize the full inclusion and participation of Deaf people in every facet of society and its joys.


Panelist Bios:

Ladan Sahraei

Ladan Sahraei is a pioneering Iranian-Canadian Deaf female filmmaker. As the first Deaf filmmaker in Iran, she has crafted numerous short films and directed two feature documentaries in Canada. Ladan’s exceptional work has garnered awards and recognition. With a deep passion for filmmaking, she actively supports the visual and performing arts, painting, and disability representation in film. Ladan’s love for creating films and documentaries is boundless. She revels in globetrotting, exploring diverse cultures, and connecting with people from around the world.

Jasper Vaillant

Jasper Vaillant is a passionate filmmaker, writer, and director dedicated to authentic storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices. As a proud member of the disabled community, Jasper is deeply committed to fostering meaningful disabled representation on screen—an aspect of storytelling that is profoundly personal to him. With a strong focus on character-driven narratives, Jasper brings fresh perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media, aiming to challenge stereotypes and push the boundaries of inclusive storytelling. He believes in the power of film to foster empathy, create social change, and celebrate the richness of human experience in all its forms.


Moderator Bio:

Amy Amantea (she/her)

Amy Amantea identifies as a white settler living on the traditional and stolen lands of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples. Living with multiple intersections of disability—including blindness, neurodiversity, chronic pain, and chronic illness—Amy has come to view her sight loss as a “gift” that shapes her artistic and professional practice. For almost two decades, Amy has worked at the intersection of arts, accessibility, and systemic change, championing Disability Justice and the principle of “nothing about us without us.”

At present, Amy is the Associate Director of VocalEye Descriptive Arts Society, Accessibility Coordinator at the Arts Club Theatre Company, and an artist currently touring her theatre show, Through My Lens, co-written and directed by James Long.

Her work has connected her with artists and organizations locally and internationally, advocating and advancing authentic representation in the arts and supporting the creation of ground-up approaches to creative access. In recognition of her leadership, advocacy, and innovation, Amy has received the CNIB Century of Change Award (2018), the News 1130 Unsung Hero Award (2018), and the Canadian Council of the Blind Book of Honour Award (2019).

Amy is delighted to have been invited to facilitate the panel discussion on Disability Justice following the screening of Who the Hell Is Nigel?.

ASL Interpreted: Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning Webinar

0
Understanding wills, trusts, and estate planning can help secure your financial future or the financial future of a loved one with a disability. This ASL Interpreted webinar covers topics including considerations when creating a will, tips for protecting your loved ones when family passes, types of trusts, and more.
The webinar will include a half hour pre-recorded presentation and 80 minutes for a question-and-answer session with a lawyer who is an expert in disability law and regulation as well as one of our helpline advisors who specializes in these planning topics and is a parent of an adult daughter with disability herself.
This workshop may only be relevant to those within British Columbia, as laws vary by province.

Please note that registration is limited to 60 people, therefore early registration is encouraged.

 

Location: Virtual event
Date and time: Thu, Sep 25, 2025 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT

This event is free of charge and no payment information is needed.

Registration link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/3dbsdvt

Closing Presentation: Four Mothers

0

Saturday, September 20th

Edward (James McArdle), a talented novelist on the cusp of literary success, is juggling his work with the responsibility of caring for his elderly mother, Alma (Fionnula Flanagan).

As the excitement of a US book tour builds, he is suddenly faced with an unexpected twist as his three friends decide to take an impromptu Pride getaway to Spain, leaving their mothers in his care.

Winner of the BFI London Film Festival Audience Award, this uplifting comedy-drama follows an unlikely found family on an emotionally charged journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

This film is only screening in person!

  • Event Title: Closing Presentation: Four Mothers
  • Location: Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton Street)
  • Show Start: 7pm
  • Event Timeline:
    • Territorial Welcome (20 minutes) ASL
    • Opening Announcements (20 mins) ASL
    • Film Program (101 minutes) – no interpretation

Get tickets: https://outonscreen.com/vqff-event/closing-presentation-four-mothers/

Job Opportunity: PLAN Community Connector ASL

0

 

PLAN (Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network) is looking for a Community Connector to support a Deaf community member living in Richmond, BC, who communicates using ASL. Applicants must also communicate in ASL. This role is about building meaningful relationships and strengthening connections that help individuals with disabilities live good lives in community.

What You’ll Do

  • Build and nurture a personal support network for the individual
  • Support connections with friends, community, and local resources
  • Collaborate on setting goals and coordinating support
  • Work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends
  • Work 4–6 hours monthly with the person and family

Compensation

  • Independent contractor role
  • $25/hour for Years 1–3, $28/hour for Year 4+
  • Mentorship positions (5–9 networks) are employee roles: $28/hour for Years 1–3, $30/hour for Year 4+

This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference by fostering inclusion and belonging.

Apply: Community Connector: East Vancouver (ASL) – Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
More details about PLAN and Communicty Connector role: Community Connector Role – Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network

ASL Performance “DISORDER” and Workshop!

0

Performance 1


Performance 2
Click on the image to view the video on Instagram.

Performance: DISORDER – Bring Your Own Body Series

Date: September 25-28, 2025
Time: 7pm
Address: Morrow Creative Space (910 Richards St.)
Performers: Cai Glover, Pierre-Olivier Beaulac-Bouchard
Music: Anusha Kamesh
ASL: Jennifer Manning
About:

disorder explores the duality that conceptions of order play in the lives of Cai Glover and Pierre-Olivier Beaulac-Bouchard and the roles they have been ordered into by way of their experiences with their respective identification with being d/Deaf.

Tickets for DISORDER: Bring Your Own Body

Workshop: Poetry in Motion

Date: September 20, 2025,
Time: 2pm-4pm
Address: Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St
Performers: Cai Glover, Pierre-Olivier Beaulac-Bouchard
Choreography: Cai Glover
Music: Anusha Kamesh
ASL: Jennifer Manning
About: 

This all-levels workshop will explore transposing of language into movement. How does the body express specific meanings of language? Is there something more that is captured when the body engages in motion that can’t be grasped by the literal? This workshop doesn’t focus on dance techniques but rather, focuses on the individual’s emotional experiences to bring meaning to the movement we create. We will be using some ASL (American Sign Language) to get more fully and directly into the body by exploring a gestural and spatial language. Here the body discovers its vast network of communicative powers in a non-verbal form, abstracted by poetry and enhanced by meaning.

Free of charge!

More info and registration link: Poetry in Motion Workshop

 

Poker Tournament

0

 

Poker Tournament

Video Description:

A man with short hair, glasses, and a trimmed beard is standing in a kitchen. He is wearing a dark gray long-sleeve shirt.

Video transcript:

Hello Deaf community! I’m excited to share BIG NEWS! BC Deaf Poker Club Hosts tournament!

POKER TOURNAMENT IS BACK!

GVAD is proudly supporting this event, and I’m here to share information.

WHEN?

Saturday, September 13, this year, 2025. It starts at 2 PM, and ends when we have a winner! Expect to finish around 10 to 10:30 PM.

WHERE?

Community Hall, 2141 Cranley Drive, Surrey

Great space! Champ! Good vibes, serious fun!

WHO’S ORGANIZING?

BC Deaf Poker Club president. The man himself — Davo Legault. He’s running the whole event and making it awesome!

TICKETS PRICE?

JUST $60. Includes food, drinks, and tournament entry. $40 – goes straight into the prize pool, real cash to win! $20 – covers food and event costs.

The poker event will also have another fun activity: 50/50 RAFFLE

One lucky winner takes home 50% of the pot

HOW TO GET TICKETS?

Contact Davo Legault. President of the BC Deaf Poker Club.

2 ways to contact him:

Message him on Facebook

Or

Email: bcdeafpokerclub@hotmail.com

We accept e-transfer or cash — fast and easy.

Please spread the word! Tell everyone that BC Deaf Poker Club will host a tournament!

Interesting to play or not, spread the word so everyone can enjoy! Invite your friends, family, coworkers — everyone is welcome.

Tickets are limited and will go FAST. Don’t wait!

SEE YOU THERE

GOOD LUCK!

Emails correction!

0

 

Video Description:

A man with short hair, glasses, and a trimmed beard is standing in a kitchen. He is wearing a dark gray long-sleeve shirt.

Video transcript:

Hello Deaf community!

My name is Roger.

I am the ASL video creator for GVAD.

“Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf”

This message is from GVAD, we want to inform you:

In the past, GVAD used Gmail email addresses, but those are no longer in service.

GVAD now only uses official emails ending with:

@gvad.ca

Please use the correct new email addresses for the right purposes.

Here’s a breakdown:

  1. president@gvad.ca

Use this email if you want to contact the president directly.

About big decisions, community concerns, or leadership questions.

  1. vicepresident@gvad.ca

Email the vice president if you have questions about programs. Help with community outreach, or if the president is unavailable.

  1. media@gvad.ca

Use this for social media, videos, photos, or anything public-facing.

If you have media to share, or want to request a post – email here.

  1. events@gvad.ca

Use this email for events – If you want to host, join, or ask questions about upcoming events. Perfect for RSVP’s, volunteering, or community activity ideas.

  1. info@gvad.ca

This is for general information. If you don’t know who to contact –

start here. We will forward your message to the right person.

Important:

If you receive an email from a Gmail address claiming to be GVAD, don’t answer, it is not from us. Please report it to the GVAD board immediately.

Contact GVAD only through official emails ending with: @gvad.ca

See you around!

GVAD community – champions!

GVAD Latin Night Party Update

0
A woman with light brown hair, wearing a plain black t-shirt. Simple dark background.
[ASL Video Transcript]
Hello, I’m Tammy, Vice President of GVAD.
I want to inform you all that the Latin Cruise Party will be on August 9.
We received more tickets—17 left! You can still buy more!
The cruise organizers made a mistake with the menu.
We thought there would be beef patties, but it was changed to pizza.
We were disappointed!
We argued with them, and they said they mixed up our menu with another group’s.
Okay, fine! The cruise is still happening!
Come and buy tickets! The price is $60.
Thanks so much, have a great day!
Bye!