DEAFBC

We are saddened to announce the sudden passing of Christina Parkyn, 42 years of age, of Sechelt, BC on February 13, 2014.

Tina was born to mother Linda Parkyn and father Al Parkyn in Vancouver, BC on October 25, 1971, Tina graduated from The Jericho Hill School for the Deaf in 1990. After meeting John Warren in Coquitlam BC, the two of them later moved to Gibsons, BC and then finally Sechelt, BC.

Tina was actively involved in volunteering her services for the Habitat for Humanity and the local recycling depot on the Sunshine Coast. Tina had a tremendous fondness for animals and had many cats and dogs over the years. She also loved dolphins and was her favorite, which was proven by her large collection of dolphin figurines.

Tina is survived by her long time partner John Warren; her only daughter Ashley Parkyn; her mother Linda Parkyn; father Al Parkyn; sister Donna (Peter); two brothers Kyle and Kevin; as well as her two nephews, Cody and Cameron; all of the Lower Mainland.

In lieu of gifts, the family is requesting that donations be made to the family to help provide support to her surviving partner and daughter; as well donations will be made to the SPCA in Sechelt BC. BMO account – Transit # 07310 Account #3979-223

A funeral service was held in Gibsons, BC on February 25, 2014 with another service for her friends and family to be held in Coquitlam, BC on March 29, 2014.

Please brew yourself a big pot of coffee and put aside an hour to plow through the CRTC’s “Let’s Talk TV” survey here:
www.crtc.gc.ca/talktv

About 90% through the survey, there are questions about captioning. Most importantly, there are questions about whether you are willing to PAY for captioning. This is an idea the entire Deaf community must stop dead in its tracks!

We have a RIGHT to captioned programming. Because it is our right, we must NOT be forced to pay for it.

Would they demand that wheelchair-users PAY for their own ramps and accessible washrooms? We notice the CRTC is not asking if blind viewers should be required to pay for descriptive video. Why are they asking ONLY if Deaf people should be required to pay for captioning?

The survey is difficult, but please do it just to get to the captioning questions, and then tell the CRTC very clearly we cannot be made to pay for our own right to accessibility.

I have a 2 bedroom basement suite available for a couple or single person that is hearing impaired. The suite is about 1500 Sq feet, have access/ use of 1.25 acres. Recently renovated with some work left, fireplace, new appliances. Available April 1st . Pets welcome . located near 192 nd and 80th Ave surrey/Langley border. Great for people that like the outdoor and pets . private parking. Hydro, laundry included $1200 month.

Thanks Surinder 604 762 1425.

Predeceased by her mother, Margaret Joan Reynolds – February 26, 1976; and father, Colonel John M. Reynolds – February 17, 2013. Robin attended the Clarke School for the Deaf and graduated in 1966 from Jericho Hill School, Vancouver, BC. Robin married Douglas on May 3, 1969. She loved her dog, Casper. Robin was an advocate for the Deaf community and served on several committees.

Robin Eldridge will be remembered “forever” for having her name connected to the famous Eldridge v. British Columbia (1997) decision of the Supreme Court of Canada that resulted in the Province of British Columbia being ordered to fund interpreters in medical settings. The three people involved in the case – Robin Susan Eldridge, John Henry Warren, and Linda Warren – were born deaf. They argued that the government’s failure to specifically include medical interpreters in the Medical Services Act ignored their rights to equality as persons with a disability, under s.15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Robin will be greatly missed by all in the Deaf community, her two sisters Sydney & Gillian, and brother Christopher; nephews Mark, Taylor, Hunter, and Riley; nieces, Amanda and Whitney.

Pastor David Nielsen will be officiating at Robin’s memorial service to be held on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 1:00 PM at the Gracepoint Community Church, 3487 King George Blvd., Surrey, BC. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2125 W. 7 Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6K 1X9.

From deaf digest.com:

– immigrant taxi drivers afraid to communicate with the deaf?

Many taxi drivers are immigrants. For some of us, we have had
bad experiences trying to communicate with some immigrant
taxi drivers. Even when we carefully use gestures, many
immigrants do not understand such gestures! And sometimes
they struggle to understand our handwritten notes. Some taxis
have iPads in front of back seats, which is great for us.
But some taxis don’t. In Vancouver, BC, there was an agreement
between the Vancouver Taxi Association, the B.C. Coalition of
People with Disabilities and the City of Vancouver to require
taxis to be deaf-friendly and disability-friendly. Are we seeing
that in American cities?

Enhancing Deaf Women’s Economic Success
This girl-led project will take place in various cities across Canada, focusing on Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Deafened and hard of hearing women aged 13 to 25.

Deaf girls and women have enormous barriers that impact their financial stability. Why? Because there is no information or guidance available from financial advisors in sign language format. Written information does not succeed because many Deaf women have weak skills in literacy and numeracy. The result? Many Deaf girls and women are at risk of poverty and financial exploitation. For example, the partner of a Deaf woman might put assets in his or her own name without the Deaf woman being aware. We know of one Deaf mother who got the family home in a divorce but she cannot sell it because it remains in the partner’s name. She cannot afford to keep it, but she is not permitted to sell it. She’s stuck.

The Canadian Association of the Deaf has launched a two year national project to reach out to these women and help them gain the knowledge and skills they need. We must provide $45,000 towards the funding of the project, so we are asking gofundsme viewers to help us get started with a goal of $2,500.

This project will:

? Develop the capacity of girls and young women to identify and respond to barriers to the fulfillment of their economic potential. The project will also increase understanding of these barriers for participants and community partners.

? Have more girls and young women taking on leadership roles to address economic issues in their community.

? Create tools for use at the local level in order to engage and educate young women about economic prosperity.

? Match participants with female role models, who will help them explore different options for gaining skills and experience relating to economic development and stability.

? Deaf women will be directly involved with the project through Local Working Groups, which will be composed of girls and young women as well as partners and stakeholders and led by young women under the mentorship of experienced older women.

? Throughout the project, the Local Working Groups will apply what has been learned to the delivery of girl-led, action-oriented and community-based projects.

Thank you for your support!

http://www.gofundme.com/deafwomen

WIDHH will be hosting a FREE Income Tax Night for low income Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing individuals.

To Qualify: You must earn LESS than $35,000 per year. Sorry NO Business Taxes. Appointments are booked per person. Please inform us if you will bring more than one person’s taxes.

What to Bring: T4 Slips, a copy of your 2012 Income Tax Return, information from banks, RRSP slips, receipts for medicine, prescriptions, hearing aids, TTY or signaling devices. These purchases may be counted as a medical expense on your tax return.

Please call, email, fax, or come in to make an appointment:

2125 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6K 1X9

Phone: 604-736-7391

TTY: 604-736-2527

Fax: 604-736-4381

Email: info@widhh.com

Interpreters and refreshments will be provided.