DEAFBC

Pacific DAWN

(DisAbled Women’s Network)

covering British Columbia and

the Yukon

Let’s Chat 

Keeping Safe When Out & About

Sunday May 24, 2015

1:30 pm to 4pm

Location: Vancouver Public Centre Library

350 W. Georgia, 

Board Breakout Room-7^th Floor

Interpreters Provided

Purse Snatching, assaults, harassment on the street are some of the things we as women, particularly women with disAbilties face when we leave our homes. Through a presentation and discussion a variety of

Tips to be safe

will be explored

Note: to reserve a space please email

Pkelln@telus.net

Space is very limited

ASL Signing Support Workers
Needed in Duncan BC by mid-August 2015
Deadline for applying is June 15, 2015
msjsociety@gmail.com

We are looking for one or two kind, responsible, reliable, friendly, non-smoking people to provide part time support to a Deaf individual who lives a life of dignity in Duncan. We have an opening coming up in  September with some paid orientation time in August.

Responsibilities include:
*Provide tactful and relaxed practical support 
*Background coaching focused on accomplishing activities of daily living,
*Participating in Deaf and Hearing community events, 
*Participating in gentle leisure, recreation and social adventures

Essential qualifications:
*Sign and understand ASL at an intermediate level or better
*Clear criminal record check
*Valid drivers license with a safe driving history.
*Prefer support workers who have their own computer and/or mobile phone and are comfortable with email, text messaging, and video conferencing.
*Familiar with and comfortable with Deaf culture

Hours: 
The individual mainly requires support afternoons 4-5 hours per day. We may hire one person to work 5 afternoons per week (Sunday to Thursday or Monday to Saturday) We may share these 30 to 35 hours per week between two people.

Rate of pay: 
$12 to $17 per hour depending on your education and experience.

Core Values of MSJ Society: 
Communication, inter-dependence, mutual respect, caring relationships, and equality.

To apply, send an email to msjsociety@gmail.com before June 15, 2015
*Email should contain a cover letter written business style that states your reasons for applying, experience, education and any other qualifications.
*If you pass our initial screening we will email you a detailed job description and request your detailed resume and two references.

 
To register visit: http://tinyurl.com/DowntownBusTour
 

View the full flyer here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tel:  604-736-5851

Email: ezheng@widhh.com

A DEAF SERVER? LOCAL NONPROFIT SAYS “YES!”

Vancouver, BC, May 4, 2015 –  The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH), a local nonprofit, has partnered with a new restaurant that employs Deaf and Hard of Hearing workers.

DeaFined, opening May 7th at the start of Better Hearing & Speech Month, will be staffed entirely by Deaf and Hard of Hearing servers. 

WIDHH’s employment counsellers worked closely with DeaFined owner Moe Alameddine to recruit and train staff. 

Linda Franchi, Head of Counselling at WIDHH said that she was delighted to work with DeaFined to fulfill Moe’s vision of a restaurant that accommodates and values Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees. 

“Many people don’t know that WIDHH is the largest provider of employment services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons in BC,” she said. “Each year, WIDHH assists countless people with hearing loss overcome workplace barriers through counselling and workshops.”

WIDHH also offers recruitment and workplace support assistance to employers like DeaFined looking to employ Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff.

Recent surveys reveal that only 20.6% of Deaf Canadians are fully employed, 42% are under-employed, and 37.5% of Deaf Canadians are unemployed. 

Susan Masters, Executive Director of WIDHH, said that unemployment figures are so alarming because employers have traditionally not considered the idea of hiring staff with hearing loss. 

“The restaurant is an important first step in normalizing the idea of Deaf and Hard of Hearing workers in the service industry,” she said. “I hope that other Vancouver businesses will look at DeaFined’s model and say ‘why not have a Deaf or Hard of Hearing employee?’” 

About WIDHH

The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (WIDHH) is a British Columbian nonprofit committed to providing the widest range of services under one roof to assist those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafened, and Deaf Blind.  If you are experiencing difficulties with your hearing, WIDHH can assist with Audiology, Counselling, Interpreting, and Communication Devices. For more information, please visit www.widdh.com. 

For more information or an interview with WIDHH’s Executive Director Susan Masters, please contact: Ellen Zheng, Media Relations at 604-736-5851 orezheng@widhh.com.