Daily News | Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf | What's happening in and around British Columbia

Two DABC Help Sheets Translated Into Five Languages

Deaf BC

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April 21, 2017

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Community Update

MS WORD document

PDF flyer

Dear Community Partner,

We recently had two of our Help Sheets translated:

Help Sheet #14: Registered Disability Savings Plan and the Disability Tax Credit
Help Sheet #16: Guide to Filing Income Taxes for People Receiving PWD/PPMB

into the following five languages:

Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Persian
Punjabi
Spanish

These Help Sheets can be downloaded at http://www.disabilityalliancebc.org/money.htm Please feel free to print and copy as many as you need.

Or if you would like copies mailed to you, please contact Val at 604-875-0188 or email her at feedback@disabilityalliancebc.org.

Sincerely,

Jane Dyson
Sam Turcott

Boundaries & Self-Care Workshop

Deaf BC

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April 21, 2017

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Facilitating peer-led groups can be a very rewarding experience but it can also be very demanding. In order to avoid burnout and to make group facilitation sustainable over the long-run, facilitators must have a clear understanding of personal boundaries and practice self-care.

In this 3 hour workshop, participants will explore concepts for understanding personal boundaries and self-care as well as collective-care within the context of a peer-led group. The workshop will also offer practical tips and tools to help participants take what they have learned and apply it to their real-life situations. Although aimed at facilitators, the materials in this workshop can also be beneficial for anyone.

**there are only two spots left — register today to reserve your seat!**

Cost: $15 – $75 sliding scale, with no one turned away for lack of funds

Date: Thursday, May 25th, 2017

Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: PeerNetBC, #408 – 602 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

Register: http://www.peernetbc.com/upcoming-workshops-2

Accessibility:
– ASL interpretation has been secured

– light snacks, coffee, tea, and water will be provided

– our office strives to be a scent-free environment; refrain from wearing perfumes or any scents the day before the workshop, as well as during it

– the building entrance, workshop space, and washrooms are wheelchair accessible

– washrooms will be assigned all genders during workshop hours

– please inform us of any alternative ways to ensure your access needs are met

For more information and/or for accessibility requests: email Robin at info@peernetbc.com or call 604.733.6186

cheers,

vanessa bui

they, them, theirs

youth community developer

PeerNetBC

another world is not only possible, she is on her way. on a quiet day, i can hear her breathing…

vanessa@peernetbc.com
Sharing l Collaboration l Innovation l Wisdom l Respect

www.peernetbc.com

Value BC: Justice for All

Deaf BC

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April 21, 2017

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Vancouver Public Library

Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Room

350 West Georgia St

7:00-8:30 PM

ASL Interpretation Provided by Registered & Certified ASL-English Interpreters

Book your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/value-bc-justice-for-all-tickets-33641532730

Join Dan Meades, provincial co-ordinator for the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, for a presentation on the success of Newfoundland and Labrador’s poverty reduction strategy. In 2006, Newfoundland and Labrador became the second Canadian province to introduce a formal action plan to reduce poverty. Having shared one of the worst poverty rates in Canada with BC, they have reduced their poverty rate and food insecurity significantly through their poverty reduction plan. BC still has one of the highest poverty rates and is now the only province without a poverty reduction plan.

Come and learn about Newfoundland and Labrador’s success in reducing poverty and how to make this possible in BC.

Dan will be joined by Iglika Ivanova, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and other local speakers to highlight the cost of poverty in BC and how we could achieve justice for all through a poverty reduction plan for BC.

About Dan Meades: Dan Meades has been doing poverty reduction work throughout Canada, Europe, the United States and West Africa for over a decade. For years Dan was the Executive Director of Vibrant Communities Calgary before moving back to his home of St. John’s Newfoundland where Dan currently serves as Provincial Coordinator for the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, an organization that focuses on safe shelter for women and their children experiencing violence.

This event was sponsored by:

BC Alliance on Mental Health/Illness and Addictions

BCGEU

BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

Community Legal Assistance Society

Vancouver Coastal Health

Book your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/value-bc-justice-for-all-tickets-33641532730

Anti-Oppresive Core Training with YouthCO HIV & Hep C Society – June 2017

Deaf BC

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April 21, 2017

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This event is located on the traditional territory of the x?m??k??y??m, S?wx?wú7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh.

You’re invited to our weekend-long Core Training on June 24 and 25, 9:30am-5:00pm both days.

Make sure you RSVP to reserve your spot!

Core Training is mandatory for anyone who wants to be involved with YouthCO. (We promise, it’s lots of fun!) It’s also open to anyone (under 30) who wants to learn more about HIV and Hep C.

Learn all about YouthCO, our values and programs, and how you can get involved! Receive our nationally-recognized training on HIV and Hep C, with a focus on challenging stigma. Explore the intersections between HIV and other issues like colonization, oppression, and criminalization. Gain practical skills around safer sex and harm reduction. We are a community committed to working on anti-oppression in our day to day lives and are excited to meet other youth who are interested in doing the same!

YouthCO is committed to making our programs as inclusive and supportive as possible of all youth who are interested in attending. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make Core Training more accessible for you.

Our space is located on the second floor, accessible by elevator or stairs. Our washroom is gender inclusive, but unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible.

YouthCO has booked confirmed need interpretation with AS.L. Interpretating Inc. for both days of Core Training. When registering please confirm whether you need ASL interpretation by June 12th at 9:30 AM. Additional interpreters can be secured on demand.

Breakfast, snacks, and lunch are provided, so let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Lindsay at lindsaym@youthco.org

The event posting is available at http://www.youthco.org/core_training_june_2017_20170624

See you bright and early on Saturday, June 24!

WHEN

June 24 & 25 2017 at 9:30am – 5pm

WHERE

YouthCO
568 Seymour St
205
Vancouver, BC V6B 3J5
Canada

Lindsay McKinnon
Peer Education Coordinator

Community Conversations on Social Isolation and Loneliness among Seniors living in Vancouver

Deaf BC

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April 21, 2017

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BACKGROUND – click for PDF

INVITATION – click for PDF

SILAS Community Conversation will be hosting four events dealing with reducing social isolation and loneliness for seniors in the city of Vancouver. Please see attachments. Please read Ruth’s email below.

If you are interested to attend, please let us know and we will see what we can work out with. More information will be given out later next week.

Thank you.

Vincent Kennedy

Volunteer Program Coordinator

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Seniors Outreach

Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Text 604-679-7523 TTY: 604.736.4731 / FAX: 604.736.4381 /

vkennedy@widhh.com
senioroutreach@widhh.com

A total of four SILAS Community Conversation Events are scheduled at various locations around Vancouver. You are welcome to attend one or more events, or to pass this invitation along to others who you think may be interested.

Event times and locations are:

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Library Square Conference Centre 350 West Georgia (Alice McKay Room)

Thursday, April 06, 2017 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Library Square Conference Centre 350 West Georgia (Alma Van Dusen / Peter McKay Rooms

Monday, April 10, 2017 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm (TBC):Sunset Community Centre 6810 Main Street (The Hall)

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 9:30 am – 12:00 pm:Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre 1607 E. Hastings

These events are hosted by the City of Vancouver in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health and theSocial Isolation and Loneliness Among Seniors (SILAS) Collaborative (a group comprised of members of the City of Vancouver’s Seniors’ Advisory Committee, City of Vancouver staff, Association of Neighborhood Houses, Community and Seniors Centres, health authorities, education and community establishments, etc.).

For further information and to register for an event please visit: http://bit.ly/2mEuQ18.

SPARC BC has been contracted by the City to facilitate this engagement process. Please contact Jim Sands, Project Coordinator (jsands@sparc.bc.ca/ 604-718-8504).

Jim Sands

Project Coordinator

SPARC BC (Social Planning and Research Council of BC)

e: jsands@sparc.bc.ca

MIS Review Summary

All Postings

Deaf BC

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April 21, 2017

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MIS REVIEW SUMMARY

ASL video:

MIS Review Summary (vimeo)

PDF document link

English text:

BACKGROUND

The Medical Interpreting Service (MIS) provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting for deaf patients in both emergency and non-emergency medical appointments in BC.

MIS has been managed by the Provincial Language Service, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), since 2007. Prior to that, it was first managed by the Ministry of Health then moved to PHSA’s Contract Management Office in 2002. The Provincial Language Service also provides interpreting and translation services to BC health authorities in more than 150 languages.

Since 1998, the provision of medical ASL interpreting services has been awarded on a contractual basis, to the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH). WIDHH is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a society in which people who are deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing are able to fully participate. The current two-year contract with WIDHH expires in fall 2017.

To PHSA’s knowledge, a formal review of MIS services has not been conducted. The Provincial Language Service commissioned a formal review of current services in fall 2016, in part to prepare for an upcoming RFP process, to focus upon exploring opportunities for service improvement and efficient delivery of this service for the deaf community. DLR Consulting was retained and Debra Russell, Karen Malcolm and Anita Harding completed the work. The review was conducted between October 2016 and January 2017.

The purpose of the review was to gather input from stakeholder groups to determine the effectiveness of the current service, identify service gaps and make recommendations for moving forward. The review included:

Examining the current services and programs offered by MIS
Comparing delivery models in other agencies that provide ASL medical interpreting services
Interviews with WIDHH and PHSA employees
A survey of sign language interpreters who currently provide service to MIS
A survey of health care providers who have used MIS
Focus groups and targeted interviews with deaf and hard of hearing community stakeholders – both consumers and providers

OUTCOMES & RECOMMENDATIONS

Participants identified several features that are successful within the MIS model:

Large group of competent interpreters who provide services.
Services that are specifically designed to meet the needs of deaf, hard of hearing and deaf blind citizens when accessing publically funded medical services.
Commitment to the communities served.

Opportunities for improvement emerged from the review in the following four categories:

Structural changes, which may include clear policies for interpreters that are accessible and transparent and an independent complaint process.
Create access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf Blind communities, which may include providing the community with more opportunities for involvement and input into the delivery of the service and development of a dual language website (English and ASL) for both the community and health care providers with current information & resources.
Ensure quality interpreting services, which may include mechanisms to support development of interpreters and monitor service quality, and articulating a process for supporting continuity of care.
Educational opportunities, which may include actively promoting the service to health care providers and providing ongoing educational opportunities for ASL interpreters.

NEXT STEPS

The Provincial Language Service is reviewing the MIS review report and determining next steps.

Any change to the service will include outreach to the deaf community.

DNO – Life’s A Theatre + After Party

Deaf BC

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April 21, 2017

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Friday, May 12th, 7:00PM

PDF Flyer

Facebook – DNO – Life’s A Theatre + Afterparty

BREAKING BARRIERS: TOGETHER, WE STRIVE! VIDEO

Deaf BC

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April 20, 2017

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CAD-ASC’s Comments on the CHS Strike

Deaf BC

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April 20, 2017

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CAD-ASC’s Comments on CHS Strike
The Canadian Association of the Deaf-Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC) is the national information, research, and community action organization of Deaf people in Canada. We promote and protect the rights, needs, and concerns of Deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).

CAD-ASC recognizes that CHS workers have gone four years without a contract due to labour issues between CHS management and CUPE 2093 workers. The inclusion of Deaf stakeholders across Ontario is very critical to ensure that the leadership role of our linguistic cultural minority is respected in the process.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD) formally recognizes Sign languages and confirms their equal status to spoken/written languages in the signatory countries. Canada’s Parliament, as one of the signatories, ratified the treaty in March 2010. The work and employment is referenced in the CRPD, specifically in Article 27, which “protects the rights of persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others, to just and favourable conditions of work, including equal opportunities and equal remuneration for work of equal value, safe and healthy working conditions, including protection from harassment, and the redress of grievances.” (Article 27, section b)

A quick and fair labour agreement between CHS and CUPE 2093 will benefit everyone across Ontario, not only the employees and CHS management, but also all the clients and customers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind that depend on the essential services that CHS provides. We would like to ask CHS and CUPE 2093 to sit down at the bargaining table to discuss the distressing issues between CHS management and the union.

We sincerely hope that they will reach an agreement as soon as possible because Deaf people in Ontario deserve these services such as employment, mental health, interpretation, literacy and basic skills program, and other services on daily basis throughout the province.

Original post link –

Job Posting at WBP: Social Worker – Family

Deaf BC

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April 20, 2017

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Deaf Well Being Program is seeking for part-time permanent Social Worker – Family to start as soon as possible.

Please click on the link for more details:

http://deafwellbeing.vch.ca/about-us/job-postings/

Thank you!

Cecilia Tung
Administrative Support and Website Content Assistant, Well Being Program
Vancouver Coastal Health

Principal, BC School for the Deaf BCSD – Job Posting

Deaf BC

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April 20, 2017

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Job Posting – Principal for the BC School for the Deaf (BCSD)

The Burnaby School District is looking to fill the Principal position at BC School for the Deaf.

Please see this link for the job posting.

This comes from Make a Future, Careers in BC Education

Make a Future
Careers in BC Education

400-1333 West Broadway Vancouver BC Canada V6H 4C1
direct 604.730.4541 cell 604.506.8433 fax 604.730.0787

Community Update – Disability Assistance Rate Increase and New Child Benefit Exemptions

Deaf BC

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April 20, 2017

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Disability Alliance BC Community Update

Disability Assistance Rate Increase and New Child Benefit Exemptions

The monthly disability assistance rate for people receiving Persons with Disabilities (PWD) benefits from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation (MSDSI) will increase by $50 beginning with the cheque that will be issued on March 22 (for April benefits).

Families with two people designated as PWDs will receive a $100 increase.

The new maximum rate for support, shelter, and transportation for a single person is $1033.42.

People receiving Room and Board benefits and the Comforts Allowance for people residing in a special care facility will also get the benefit of this increase. The Comforts Allowance for support and transportation for a single person will be $222.

Disability Alliance BC welcomes any increase to the disability assistance rates, and we particularly pleased that the Comforts Allowance has been increased significantly over the last year: up from $95 a month. At the same time, we are disappointed that the increase is not greater, and that there is no commitment to index the rates or to a timeline to introduce regular increases to the rates.

It is also disappointing that the Province’s budget contains no monthly increase for people receiving income assistance (IA) and Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers to Employment (PPMB) benefits. These rates remain frozen at $610 and $657.92 respectively for single persons. Many people with disabilities receive IA or PPMB benefits for months or years before transitioning to PWD.

New Exemptions for Certain Child Benefits

The Province has also announced that effective April 1 the Canada Pension Plan disabled contributor’s child benefit, foster-care payments, and Public Guardian and Trustee payments for children will all be exempt from calculations of income and disability assistance.

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If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact our Advocacy Access Program at 604-872-1278 or 1-800-663-1278 to talk to an advocate.

MS WORD FLYER

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