DEAFBC

I apologize for the delay in getting Dawning out, but meantime I have run across a number of opportunities for our (women with disAbilties) voices to be heard. Please take a look, share this with friends and colleagues and complete applicable surveys. Our issues need to be taken into account and this is one way to do so.
What Women Want-Last chance to be heard-The What Women Want Survey http://pacificdawnsurvey.limeask.com/12542/lang-en needs to be closed by Jan. 31.This survey is the first time women with disAbilties have been asked for their opinion on services provided to women after experience violence.
Mothering, Child Protection and Family Law-conducted by West Coast LEAF Pacific DAWN is in full support of this project and looking for women who have had experiences-good or bad in trying to or keeping their children. Please contact Shanaz Rahman at 604-684-8772 Ext: 123 or familylaw@westcoastleaf.org

Accessible Housing Survey- Spinal Cord Injury BC has been providing information on accessible housing for many years and maintain a Housing List of Vacancies and the Accessible Housing BC Web site. They wish to understand more about the scope of the problems facing people with physical disAbilties when attempting to find suitable house and ask you to participate in “Sorry, No Vacancy” housing research project.
The survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/accessiblehousing can be completed by any housing seeker or person assisting a housing seeker and takes about 10 minutes.

Domestic Violence; the Employee and the Workplace is a national survey by the Canadian Labour Congress on the impact of domestic violence in the workplace. All employees 15 and over are request to take this survey http://fluidsurveys.com/s/DVatWork/ and will be up until June 6, 2014.

Join the Conversation: The BC Government, with the disabiltiy and business communities is holding a province-wide conversation to see what we, as a society, can do to reduce barriers and increase accessibility for people with disAbilties. Your comments will inform the development of a White Paper on the issues facing people with disAbilties in BC. http://engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper/participate/ ends March 11, 2014 If you are interested in being part of a Pacific DAWN response please contact me at pkelln@telus.net aperengage.gov.bc.ca/

Click here to view the ASL video

Bill 26, The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, Becomes Law

Landmark legislation that will remove barriers and improve accessibility for all Manitobans passed third reading in the House on December 3, 2013 and will receive royal assent on December 5, 2013.

“Nearly one in six Manitobans has a disability and this number is expected to increase, due in part to an aging population,” said Jennifer Howard, Finance Minister and Minister responsible for Persons with Disabilities. “This legislation will lay out a framework to guide the development and implementation of accessibility standards to improve the independence and social inclusion of Manitobans where they live, learn, work and play.”

The main goal of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act is to prevent barriers by working with the public and private sectors on long range plans. “Now that the legislation has become law, we will need to create a greater public awareness of the benefits of full accessibility by working with stakeholders and general public to change attitudes, policies and practices,” said Jim Derksen, chair, Manitoba Accessibility Advisory Council.

Under the legislation, accessibility standards will be developed to help eliminate physical, systemic and other barriers in such areas as building design, information services, transportation and employment practices. “We’re pleased to be able to take part in improving accessibility by providing input and advice,” said Lanny McInnes, prairie director, Retail Council of Canada. “Knowing what needs to be done will help retailers in Manitoba take concrete steps to improve accessibility for their customers.”

It is significant that the third reading of the legislation took place on December 3, the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. “In 2013, the theme of the day was to break barriers and open doors for an inclusive society for all,” said Minister Howard. “We are proud of the legislation and of our record in helping improve the lives of Manitobans with disabilities.” This is a historic and significant day for Manitoba’s disability community and a day all Manitobans can all celebrate.

More information on disability issues and services in Manitoba is available at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/pwd/

We are looking for respite for a 17 year old male who is deaf and has a developmental disability. He is from Prince George and attends the BC School for the Deaf. He resides at the Victory Hill Residential Program during the week and goes home to Prince George every weekends.

We are looking for a respite either in Prince George or in the Lower Mainland. This young man presents with Behavioural needs and requires a skilled caregiver who can sign. This could potentially transfer into a home sharing opportunity if the caregiver is interested. If you are interested in this opportunity, the contact person is below:

Chantal MacDonald
MCFD Guardianship Social worker
Child and Youth with Special Needs Team (CYSN)
250-565-4140 (Direct)
250-565-4272 (Fax)
Chantal.Macdonald@gov.bc.ca

Hello Deaf community,

There has been some confusion or misunderstandings about what the CRTC Wireless Code means, when it took effect on December 2, 2013.

This became apparent through facebook, twitter, e-mail messages, and requests came through to ask that I try to explain what the wireless code is in sign language and how it applies to the Deaf regarding disability friendly phone plans. I accepted the challenge, and here is my first attempt to try to explain in ASL, smile.

Youtube video of my attempt to explain in ASL – http://youtu.be/ZXHC1fsNOLw

You will see in this video that the deaf, or rather “disability,” friendly wireless plans for mobile phones do not take in effect until March 2014.

If you want more specifics, do let me know, feel free to contact me at lisandkellett@gmail.com

REFERENCE Web Links:

Long version Wireless Code URL: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2013/2013-271.htm

Short version Wireless Code URL : http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t14.htm

Infographic webpage URL: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t16.htm

CRTC’s short video explaining the wireless code: http://youtu.be/vNuIejPTRGE

Consumer checklist webpage URL : http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t15.htm

Wireless Code Press Release: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2013/r130603.htm#.Up6vGJH1f5d

Come to the Living Nativity on Sunday December 8th at Willow Park Church on Hwy 33.

Marie will volunteer to interpret the show at 3:30 inside the church.

Come early and sit at the front on the left side.
They will reserve good seats for the Deaf people.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

See you Sunday!!!

Hello Deaf community,

Through the past number of months, there has been a new interest in using Twitter, but not a clear understanding about its purpose or how to use it to peoples’ benefit.

A group of Deaf people want to help provide accessible education for Deaf community members: including parents of Deaf children; CODAs; & ASL interpreters, about the use of Twitter. If there is enough interest, after the survey is complete, there are ideas and plans to provide workshop(s) as well as instructional videos in ASL on how to use Twitter.

The group has created a survey so they could find out what people:

1) need to know about Twitter and
2) what they want to learn about Twitter

Questions are available in ASL. The last question is not in ASL, but please answer do it. We need to find out if you want to get information from these organizations or associations.

Here is the link to the Twitter survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/deaf-canada-twitter-survey

Please participate in the survey before the deadline: January 30, 2014. Thank you.

A side note, two more versions of the survey will be available ASAP – one with a Deaf-Blind friendly background for Deaf-Blind people to participate in the questions. The second one is going to be a subtitled one for Hearing & Hard of hearing people to follow the ASL questions. These take time to edit. One at a time they will be available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Feedback about the survey is welcome, as it is a new experience for this group of Deaf people.

My e-mail contact is: lisandkellett@gmail.com

~ Lisa
Lisa Anderson-Kellett Communications

ps. After the ASL one is developed, if there is interest, this group will work to find an LSQ group to provide the same questions in LSQ for LSQ community members.