Provincial Medical Sign Language Interpreting Services: Community Engagement
In late 2016, the Provincial Languages Services reviewed the provincial medical Sign language interpreting services.
The review gathered input from a variety of stakeholders, including the Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind community.
Based on the feedback received from the community, we realized that we must engage further with clients who use Sign language interpreting services. To help do this, we have hired Delaney + Associates to facilitate and report on meetings with the community.
This engagement is to understand the values and needs of the Deaf, hard-of-hearing and Deaf-Blind and help us develop a medical Sign language interpreting services that works for the community. The engagement process will be completed by the end of March 2018.
An engagement session is taking place in Victoria (Vancouver Island: 1:30pm March 10, 2018, Quadra Room, Comfort Inn Hotel, 3020 Blanchard Street), and we are asking for your input. We are also offering an opportunity to provide feedback via Online Survey if you cannot attend in person.
In March 2018, we will consult with clients again when we have a proposed model for a service delivery. The proposed model will be developed with the input we receive.
For any questions, please email emina@rmdelaney.com
Thank you for participating in the engagement.
NOTE: The survey is anonymous. It consists of open-ended questions. We do not wish to collect any information that might identify you. We encourage you not to provide any identifying information, such as names, ages, or identification numbers, in your answers to open ended questions.
UPDATE: Please note because we are doing more engagement sessions, our timelines have been moved. We are now expecting that our final engagement session will be in April.
Quick Link to Provincial Health Services Authority for more information about MIS and community meetings.
Understanding Human Rights Law
~ Community Workshop Offering by IDHHC ~
ASL Interpreting & Captioning Provided
Presenters / Facilitators:
Patricia Cochran (Faculty Member, UVic Faculty of Law)
Kathryn Costain (JD Student, UVic Faculty of Law)
Mark Dunn (SVIAD and IDHHC Board Member)
A workshop with an objective where participants may leave empowered and informed with respect to their human rights.
Session will include presentations as well as the opportunity to ask questions.
Areas of information presented:
- Increasing basic knowledge of Canada’s constitution and BC’s human rights law
- A sense of both the potential and limits of law as a way of advancing the interests of Deaf individuals and communities
- Handouts identifying resources for further information
Date: March 10th 2018
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Quadra Room, Comfort Inn Hotel, 3020 Blanshard St. Victoria
International Women’s Day
March 8, 2018 – American Sign Language (ASL) will be provided at this event.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women’s Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first March 8 IWD gathering supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this the Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom’s Suffragists and Suffragettes, and further groups campaigned for women equality. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organisation specific. Make IWD your day! – everyday!
IDHHC Now Hiring: Employment Counselor/Case Manager
February 15, 2018
Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC) is a non-profit, social service agency serving the needs of d/Deaf, Deaf Blind, Deafened and Hard of Hearing individuals and their families on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. We are currently seeking an experienced, dynamic and energetic person for an Employment Counselor / Case Manager position based out of our Victoria office serving the Victoria regional district area.
Under the WorkBC Employment Program of BC (EPBC), IDHHC Employment Counselor / Case Manager assess client skills and career goals and provide one-to-one support in developing a detailed action plan to reach employment objectives. This position will assess vocational and training opportunities and supports clients with life skills that lend themselves to obtaining and retaining employment. Duties will also include development of customized employment, employment planning, job search, job placement on site support and job maintenance.
This position is supervised by the Manager – Community Services and Executive Director.
Qualifications include: CCDP or RRP is strongly preferred. Degree or diploma or certification in a related social service field; completion of college/ vocational or technical training or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Three to five years’ recent experience in the area of employment counseling and case management; or three year’s previous direct program delivery experience with a target client group with a demonstrated working knowledge of specific community based programs / vocational counseling / placement experience with individuals with disabilities required. Must have proficient written and spoken English as well as strong computer database skills and ICM experience is a strong asset. Preferred candidates will have knowledge of Deaf culture, hearing loss and its implications; as well those with American Sign Language skills are strongly preferred. A valid BC Driver’s License is required.
Read Job Description.
Remuneration will depend on experience.
Closing date: Applications are being accepted and will remain open until the position is filled.
Only those short listed will be contacted.
Please submit resume with cover letter to:
Executive Director, Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre
#201-754 Broughton St, Victoria, BC V8W 1E1
or fax: (250) 592-8199 or email: idhcc@idhhc.ca
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) Seeks Volunteer Mentors
February 15, 2018
The CHHA-BC Online Mentoring Program (OMP) is a joint initiative of CHHA-BC Chapter and CHHA-Vancouver Branch. We are inviting applications from qualified persons to serve as volunteer mentors on our newly created Online Mentoring Program.
Through the medium of a confidential Chat Room, each mentor will hold one-to-one dialogue with a person seeking mentoring (mentee), for the purpose of assisting the individual to acquire and practice those coping skills which assist them in living successfully with a hearing loss, in everyday life.
For further information about the CHHA-BC Online Mentoring Program, and expectations of mentors, view the website
Here is an exciting opportunity for you, if you are a member of CHHA; a resident of B.C., have a hearing loss; have experience living with a hearing device such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant; experience using assistive communication devices; have training or experience in coping strategies for managing hearing loss; are comfortable with using the internet and social media; have secure access to email and the web; mastery of the English language; can commit to a full year of mentoring; and can attend a one day training workshop for mentors, in Vancouver in early May, (exact date to be set).
Apply in confidence to OMPmanager@chha-bc.org providing resume, at least two references, and statement of why you are volunteering for this program. In your statement please include specifics to indicate that you meet all of the criteria listed in this ad.
Deadline for applications – February 28, 2018 – 5:00 pm.
Thank You Supporters
January 1, 2018
Your support helps make what we do possible. On behalf of staff, members and the community, thank you.
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Thank You to Our Past Supporters
In previous years, our supporters have included:
• Vancouver Foundation
• United Way of Greater Victoria
• Greater Victoria Savings Credit Union Legacy Fund
• Lions of BC Hearing Conservation Society
• Evening Optimist Club
• Community Gaming Grants/Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch
• Victoria Foundation (Community Grants)
• Tom Harris
• Hamber Foundation
• Sarah Spencer Foundation
