CRTC VRS Timelines Update
January 2012 – Petitions were mailed to CRTC
February 2012 – Bell and Telus reports were completed
March 2012 – Committee began a review of Bell and Telus reports
May 2012 – CRTC reviews both Bell and Telus reports
CRTC considers the two reports to be very different, & feels they need to gather MORE information. How? Through questions.
These formal written questions will be made public.
June 2012 to August 2012 – CRTC will formally question Bell and Telus in writing.
The goal is to: seek more information, clarifications, etc. on the report and study that were submitted by each of the companies.
Bell and Telus have 30 days to respond to CRTC
September 2012 – end of written process. When process ends, CRTC will announce public hearing.
November 2012 – estimated time for public verbal hearing on providing VRS in Canada, to be announced in September 2012.
BC-VRS Committee can give feedback with our own views or concerns of VRS in Canada. We would file a Notice of Consultation. Other interested parties can participate in this process as well.
Thank you everyone for your incredible patience as the CRTC process moves forward. We will continue to keep you posted
Link to Telus and Bell VRS Reports on the CRTC web-site
People are asking, because the CRTC web-site is not easy to manoeuvre, to find what you are looking for, so I’m going to re-post here, to help save your time:
To find the TELUS report on the VRS trial in BC/Alberta – check it out at link:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/ eng/2009/8678/c12_200905557.htm
You have to go down to the 9th item on this webpage, with date: 2012 – 03 – 14 – Telus Communications Company, see copy and paste below:
2012-03-14 – TELUS Communications Company
Description: Pursuant to paragraph 26 of Accessibility of telecommunications and broadcast services, Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-430 and paragraph 21 of TELUS Communications Company – Request for a further drawdown from its deferral account for accessibility initiatives, Telecom Decision CRTC 2011-384, TELUS Communications Company (“TELUS” or the“Company”) hereby files with the Commission its final report, after completion of its 18-month video relay service (“VRS”) trial.
The zip file link is there. Click the link, and then let your computer unzip the files, available in PDF, Word and Excel formats.
As for the Bell Report, it can be found on the same page, its listed as the 3rd/third item, with date and name – 2012-04-04 – Mission Consulting, see copy and paste:
2012-04-04 – Mission Consulting
Description: Mission Consulting is very pleased to submit to the CRTC an updated version of our Final Report of the Feasibility of Video Relay Service (VRS) for Canada, which was originally submitted February 24, 2012. The update is limited to minor changes to information about VRS in other countries. No changes have been made to our analysis or recommendations. This revision also repositions the documents into two files, the Final Report and its Appendices, in the correct order.
The zip file link is there. Click the link, and then let your computer unzip the files, only available in PDF format.
Do let us know if there are further issues with unzipping files by sending us an e-mail to bcvrsc@gmail.com for copies of the report in attachment as another option of accessing the reports.
Home Sharing in Burnaby/ New Westminster
Our organization is currently seeking a family care/home share provider to provide care and support in their home to a man who is deaf and has a developmental disability. Candidates must be available to provide ongoing daily care and have access to a reliable vehicle. Prospective care providers should have a suite available in their home.
The ideal candidate would have some degree of fluency in American Sign Language (ASL). Candidates must be comfortable working with occasional behaviours, and should have at least one year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities. They should have a very patient, caring and compassionate disposition.
If you wish to be considered, please submit a resume and cover letter to the following email address: hacc@howesound.net. In the cover letter, please specify/describe the accommodations you have available.
Fundraiser for the Deaf Children’s Society
Fundraiser for the Deaf Children’s Society
co-hosted by Ten Thousand Villages on Granville Island and the VCC ASL & Deaf Studies Program
1660 Duranleau Street
Friday, May 25th
4-9pm
**15% off any purchase will be donated to DCS
for information contact:
Crystal Bergman: warbler@shaw.ca
2012 Hearing Health Fair
May is Speech and Hearing Month! To celebrate, the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, in partnership with the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences, will be hosting a one day Hearing Health Fair on Wednesday May 16th, 2012.
Here are the details:
Event: 2012 Hearing Health Fair
Place: UBC Medical Student & Alumni Centre
2750 Heather Street @ 12th Avenue. Vancouver, BC V5Z 4M2
Date: Wednesday May 16th 2012
Time: 10 to 3 pm
The health fair will feature the following:
1) Lectures from WIDHH clinicians and UBC researchers throughout the day. Topics include: How We Hear; New Developments in Hearing Aid Technology; Assistive Devices; Communication Strategies; Research Updates
2) An exhibit hall featuring hearing aid manufacturers, and service providers who cater to the senior community.
3) Free Hearing Screenings conducted by UBC School of Audiology and Speech Science students.
4) Opportunities for networking between clinicians, researchers, service providers and general public .
5) Morning coffee and a light lunch is provided.
6) This event is free to the public and is fully hearing accessible (real time captioning and sign language interpreting services available).
The Health Fair will run from 10 to 3 pm, with lectures taking place throughout the day.
Deaf Nation World Expo
Just Three Months Left to the DeafNation World Expo 2012!
It’s nearly time! The largest event for the Deaf on the planet is returning to Las Vegas from July 29-August 1st, are you ready? We are expecting 30,000 people from 80 different countries to join a massive celebration of language, culture, and pride! Are you ready to go? Just complete the following:
1. Register for your free admission to the Expo here
http://deafnation.com/online-reg/?ee=1
2. Reserve your room at one of three hotels offering discounts here
http://deafnation.com/dnwe/hotels/
3. Purchase your flight tickets with a discount code here
http://deafnation.com/dnwe/travel/
4. Plan your week by checking out the schedule here
http://deafnation.com/dnwe/schedule/
OBITUARY: SICOLI, Peter Frank
OBITUARY: SICOLI, Peter Frank
Photo: www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com/death_notices/index.php?deceasedId=1905
Passed away suddenly at home on Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
at the age of 65. Beloved husband of Catherine (nee Stewart) Sicoli
(for 38 years) of Rockwood. Dear son of Frank and Lucy Sicoli of Peterborough.
Son-in-law of Ruth and the late Ross Proctor of Trenton. Cherished brother
of Leslie (Gloria) of Ottawa and John Forrest of Ottawa and brother-in-law of
Donna Stewart and Elizabeth (Terry) Fairman of Trenton. Dear uncle to Debbie Sicoli
of Belleville, David (Christina) Sicoli of Texas and Joshua Fairman of Trenton.
Great uncle to Dylan, Leila and Kylar of Texas. Peter touched many lives. He
was a Math & Science teacher for 34 years in four different provinces. He was
an active member of New Life Deaf Church and had been involved in Deaf Men Fellowship.
Family will receive friends at:
Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel,
1099 Gordon Steet, Guelph, Ontario
Today (Saturday), May 5th, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A Memorial Service will be held in the funeral chapel
Tomorrow (Sunday), May 6th, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
Cremation has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, donations to New Life Deaf Church, 824 Thompson Road, S., Milton
or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated by the family.
Cards are available at the funeral home – (519) 821-5077 or send condolences to:
www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com/locations/index.php?chapelView=2
Thank You from Douglas College
Hello,
On behalf of the Douglas College Program of Sign Language Interpretation, I would like to thank all the volunteers who so graciously helped us with our Screening and Selection Weekend at the end of April. We really appreciate your time and energy, and thoughtful consideration to help us select the best applicants to enter the program and learn to be sign language interpreters. We couldn’t do it without your support!
THANK YOU! to…
Craig Loeher Simon Dorer
Steven Niven Lisa McCaron
Aastrid Evensen-Flanjak Kari O’Brien
Jennifer Zuvic Michelle Garland
Wendy Bruce Darcie Kerr
Sarah-Anne Hyrcenko Tyler Churchman
David McGregor Heidi Jantz
Roger Chan Karen Malcolm
Kevin Ettinger Suzane Giroux
Patti Dobie Bryan Corry
Adrian Desmarais Allison Sands
Miriam West Vicki Yee
Jane Pannell Janice Lyons
Jen Jahnke
And current 1st and 2nd year interpreting students
Cheryl Palmer, R.S.L.I.
Coordinator
Program of Sign Language Interpretation
