VRS Extension
Hello Deaf Community,
On March 1, 2011, Telus sent a letter to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, “CRTC” requesting an extension of its video relay services (“VRS”) trial from 12-month period ending June 30, 2011 to an 18-month period, ending January 15, 2012.
BC-VRS needs letters from the Deaf community to show that you support the extension of the trial and to request for a permanent VRS for all Deaf Canadians.
We have included two sample letters for you to choose which one fits you, for you print out and sign. After you sign, do not forget to write in PRINT your name, your home address and contact-back e-mail address, etc.
It is up to you whether you want to use this letter, or write your own personalized one. You may wish to include more personal viewpoints, for example, positive personal stories how VRS is a benefit for you, or another example, that you would prefer a permanent VRS for all provinces in Canada to utilize for their daily communication. Please be sure to have your mailing and contact information included in the letter. And, BC-VRS would like you to cc our Committee in your letters so we can count and track how many letters came from B.C. in support.
BC-VRS Committee members will also be busy in the next two weeks distributing the sample letters at various events and organizations, please look for them: Janice Lyons, Nigel Howard, Sarah Hrycenko, Lisa Anderson-Kellett, Margo Pelkey, David MacDonald, Dan LeCours, Julie Baxter-Lampitt, Russ Ward, Ava Hawkins and Susan Masters.
If you haven’t seen us and want a copy of the letter to sign in support, please do e-mail to bcvrsc@gmail.com
BC-VRS would also appreciate support from organizations that serve the Deaf community as well.
Let the CRTC know that we want VRS services to continue and NOT cut off! Let’s be ‘loud and clear’ in what we want!
Vlog to come soon.
Sincerely,
BC-VRS Committee
bcvrsc@gmail.com
Discovering Deaf Worlds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information:
March 17, 2011
March 17, 2011
David Justice
(585) 234 – 8144
djustice@discoveringdeafworlds.org
SOUTHEAST ASIAtravel organization GoPhilanthropic to launch its secondhard of hearing and hearing people to come together, engage in local Deaf communities, and explore the culture, language, landscape and adventures these countries have to offer.
DISCOVERING DEAF WORLDS TO LEAD PHILANTHROPIC TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY IN Rochester, NY
– Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is collaborating with socially conscious
Journey to Cambodia and Thailandthis summer from August 7 – 17, 2011. These Journeys are a unique opportunity for deaf,
“Cambodia changed my life!”said 2010 DDW Journey participant Mike Mazzaroppi. “ plan to return every two years to volunteer.”In between visits to World Heritage Site Angkor Wat in Siem Riep, Cambodia, and Bangkok’ Grand Palace, participants will engage in the work of four local deaf advocacy organizations. Establishing a deaf club in all 76 provinces of Thailand and supporting deaf youth in Cambodia to achieve financial independence through vocational training are two projects that tour participants will learn about and support on this journey. In addition, local deaf or signing guides will lead this tour, providing accessibility in English, American Sign Language, Thai, Thai Sign Language, Khmer, and Cambodian Sign Language.
DDW recently returned from its first journey to Costa Rica where participants visited a black light and dance performance with Fernando Centeno deaf school and zip?lined through the cloud forest outside Arenal Volcano. “DW provided barrier?free communication to all deaf and hard of hearing travelers,”said Wendy Dannels, Journeys participant and professor at National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID). “ rare gem!”Additional participants from Australia, England, Germany and USA joined DDW in pioneering this program. The ten?day tour culminated with life?long cross?cultural friendships having a shared common goal –to support the local deaf association in Costa Rica, ANASCOR, and preserve LESCO, Costa Rica’ native sign language.
Registration for DDW’ Journey to Thailand/Cambodia is open until June 24, 2011. All are welcome to join, though the tour group size will be limited to a maximum of 15 persons.
For more information, please contact DDW International Programs Director, David Justice at (585) 234?8144 or djustice@discoveringdeafworlds.org; or visit the website: www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/programs/journeys/thailand?cambodia
Free Yoga
Namaste everyone:
This is the first announcement:
FREE YOGA CLASS every FIRST FRIDAY of the month
Starting…..
FRIDAY, APRIL 1 (NOT april’s fool)
FRIDAY, MAY 6
FRIDAY, JUNE 3
These classes are taught in ASL.
These classes are FREE (yes, no charge)
More details to come.
GVAD’s E-mail
GVAD has changed it’s email address to gvadoffice@gmail.com. Don’t forget to update this address in your contact lists to ensure a quick reply from GVAD
WIDHH Events
The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has announced two events.
1) The WIDHH Annual General Meeting- Click here for more information
2) Tax Night- Click here for more information
Grief Recovery Group
Deaf, Hard of Hearing, CODA (Children of Deaf Adults), Interpreters or Hearings Grief Recovery® GROUP
Grief is the normal and natural reaction to loss.
Whether your loss is from:
· Death of a loved one
· Divorce or end of relationship
· Loss of Pet
· Loss of Career
· Loss of Trust
· Loss of Dreams
· Loss of Health
…an action plan for moving beyond loss
“The goal of Grief Recovery® is to help you complete your relationship to the pain, isolation, and loneliness caused by significant emotional losses of any kind.” —The Grief Recovery Institute®. Recovery from loss is achieved by a series of small and correct choices.
The 10-week Grief Recovery® program has you:
- Look at old beliefs about dealing with loss
- Examine which losses have affected your life
- Take new actions that lead to completion of the pain attached to one of those losses
This 10-session program will be conducted by Susan Dahlgren, Registered Social Worker and Certified Grief Recovery® Specialist. This group is in ASL/ American Sign Language.
If you have experienced one or more losses, and wish to move beyond the pain, this program offers you the probability of a richer and more rewarding life.
Upcoming Group (10 weeks):
April 12 – June 14, 2011 Tuesdays, 7 pm to 9 pm
Location:
202-8662 120 Street, Surrey, BC
Cost: $360 (excluding The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce and Other Losses by John W. James and Russell P. Friedman)
Flexible Payment Plan Available
For further information or to register, contact Susan: 604-360-8662, susan.dahlgren@telus.net
Grief©Recovery® is a registered trademark of the Grief Recovery Institute. The program is affiliated with and endorsed by the Grief Recovery Institute®.
Canadian Deaf Games
Canada Deaf Games will happen in Edmonton, Alberta in May 2012.
This will be huge fun event ~~ almost like the Deaflympics but for Canadian athletes only.
Sports are …
Volleyball
Basketball
Bowling
Beach Volleyball
Curling
Hockey
Soccer
More details will announce later.
If you are interesting to participate, do contact BCDSF Sport Director, Paul Landry, plandry@bcdeafsports.bc.ca and cc to bcdeafsports@telus.net .
Amazing Race Contestant
Hello Deaf community,
I have two pieces of exciting news.
The first exciting TV news is we have returning Deaf racer Luke Adams, back on “The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business,” with his mother, Margie Adams, of Colorado Springs, CO, again racing around the world for the supreme prize, one million dollars.
The Mother/Son team is competing in his second chance to win a million dollars, after falling short in Season 14 due to struggling with a surfboard challenge in the last episode of Season 14’s “The Amazing Race.”
Hence, the title of Season 18’s Amazing Race, “Unfinished Business,” where teams from seasons 12 to 17 get a second chance for the ultimate prize. Margie and Luke are often seen using sign language for communication with each other throughout the show.
In the Lower Mainland, the show appears on Channel 9 or 15, 8pm. on Sunday evenings. Weekly gatherings to watch with each other in the deaf community are currently in the works. More details to come.
For more information about the show, check out the following internet links:
Check out profile of Team#10 at this link:
http://shows.ctv.ca/TheAmazingRace/article/Amazing-Race-Unfinished-Business-to-premiere-in-HD-for-first-time-with-11-former-teams#c_0
More complete details about Season 18 of The Amazing Race can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Race_18
Picture of the Mother/Son team can be found by clicking here
The second most exciting news is B.C. will be lucky to know that a committee of deaf community members is currently working with Luke Adams to get him to come to Vancouver, to give a motivational presentation about his experience as a Deaf person on the show, complete with photos and videos. The event will include trivia games and prizes, opportunities for questions, photographs and autographs.
More details about the event, are to come soon.
Questions, please do feel free to e-mail me, Lisa Anderson-Kellett at lisandkellett@gmail.com
BCDSF Membership
BC Deaf Sports Federation Needs More Membership!
NEW POLICY from “Ministry of Healthy Living and Sports” (Province of BC) with support of “2010 Legacies Now Society” requires a minimum of 350 BCDSF members in order to get grant for 2012.
BCDSF needs this special project grant for 2012!
This money will help affiliation clubs and BCDSF to use for…
BC Deaf Athlete grant
Interpreters
Travel expenses in BC
Clinics, workshops
BC Playdowns & tournaments
WE NEED 200 MORE MEMBERS! PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING ATHLETES
Anyone! Your wife, your husband, partner, your parents, your friends, ex-members, interpreters, hearing or deaf or hard-of-hearing, etc …
Membership fee is on sale until Sunday March 13th
Includes all benefits
$15.00 for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
$10.00 for hearing
FREE for age 18 and under for Deaf and Hard of Hearing only.
PLUS! There will be PRIZES to win several Tim Horton gift certificate ($15 value each), plus other prizes for ALL members of 2011
as THANK YOU for support BCDSF and athletes.
Winners will announce by Friday March 18th.
Art Community Update
Group visual art exhibit at BC Individualized Technology and Services for people with disabilities
March 1 until June 15
103 – 366 East Kent Avenue South, Vancouver BC V5X 4N
This is an industrial area. The building is closest to Fraser River, away from the street.
For more information: 1 877 333 7554 or til@bcits.org
www.bcits.org
A Reason to Care: A fundraising event for the BC Association for Community Living.
Saturday, March 12, 11 am to 4 30 pm
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, at 15th Avenue.
For more information: Melissa Bennett Knights 604 777 9100, ext 522 or mbennett@bcacl.org
www.bcacl.org/
Vancouver Lightworkers Spiritual Exhibition
Sunday, March 13, 3 pm to 9 30 pm
Unity of Vancouver, 5840 Oak Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $15
For more information: Bill Campbell billcamcan@gmail.com
http://vanlightworkersexhibit-aj.eventbrite.com/
A.J. Brown also posted a new blog:
