Interpreters often perform intervener/interpreter/teacher because of language delays, curriculum not suitable – teachers have no idea Truck drivers – limited opportunities Employment – employers need to be educated Sports – funding for interpreters? Emergencies – building broadcasting Acoustic standards and design – BC Building Code Models of good design – Gallaudet and Cape Town, South Africa (hotel) Centre: to showcase access, arts, services (for all ages) to create bridge Workplace safety – alert systems, color codes Need mandatory provincial (not municipal) building codes Airports – communication access Hospital – access to information rather than by phone Call in information systems are a barrier Invisible disabilities – need to increase awareness and recognize legitimacy Hearing aids – not affordable for people in BC – creates many barriers – to employment and participation Youth – the successful transition to adulthood Technology – the better access to technology the better we are able to contribute – assistive technology is too expensive Loop system – courts, train stations, public places – model in New York, UK – helpful and works well for announcements – VanCity example Medical interpreting – for partners (family member) not just patients CHHA started hospital kit initiative to improve access for HoH people Transitioning support or HoH students into post secondary – students must choose between captioning and interpreting – not both – DA access services at universities are not knowledgeable about D/HoH issues Hospitals- typewell services available Education can be double the work for HoH students Disability tax credits and RDSP – not available if not ‘deaf enough’ – must go to doctor/audiologist – barrier long wait lists Replacement cochlear implants not covered – advised to remain on disability rather than return to work Transit pass support Hearing aid dispenser consultant position recommended for support and adaptation assistance TTY expensive and can be hard to read especially for seniors Manufacturing regulations to increase/promote access on new product designs
Captel - “Cap-tel” - available in US for HoH users Video relay service (VRS) needed for phone access; can be linked to capital services FM systems are limited in ensuing privacy – infrared systems, loop systems should be available everywhere Need hearing people to be aware of D/HoH people – reduce stigma, be open minded – use media to increase awareness - high level government practices – best practices Fundamental assumption : everyone has a right and a need to have meaningful activity in their lives Barriers – attitude, economic Solution: universal equipment and device programs Need disability legislation to enforce people to change eg. ON Act, models like Community Living Act, UN Convention) Not charity model – should be a right Coordination of what services and support are available for eg caregiver tax credit, RDSP, etc. Universal design Possible outreach programs for PWDs re: resources – having disability takes extra energy Ministry of Disabilities – comprehensive Hearing aid education – WIDHH model vs. audiologists selling plus adequate education on how to use aids/devices Barriers: general awareness PWDs don’t always know what they need Need cultural shift about universal design – it’s helpful to everyone Attitudal barriers are #1 issues Anybody can get a disability so attitude is #1 issue Education about how precious being able bodied is Funding PWD have to go extra mile when it is hard to begin with lack of empathy – need to cultivate empathy – patience when it takes an extra 2 min when a person in a wheelchair is getting off the bus If no PWD in your life – how do you educate? Early education – kids aren’t afraid to ask questions Heard of hearing is invisible – educate every person you talk to Educate on ability in classroom Get rid of disability label Solution- PWD in decision making to help get laws changed Sponsor agencies and companies that are making a difference to help make it more normalized
about innovation. What we really would want, what we really wanted was a central place where everybody to congregate to get services, the PWD government offices, deaf and hard of hearing services, the Program, WIDHH, all one-central place instead of being all over the place. They would be able to share resources, share office space, reduce some of the costs, there would be some savings there. And social workers for immigration, for example. It be able to provide parent consultations, people who just had found out they had a deaf baby, they could come into the one central place rather than all over the map to find out services. There should be a hot line for social services, which deaf -- hot generally are TTYs, and many deaf people can't
hand, I could talk right away. I could use sign language away. It would be instantaneous. That's what I mean, a device that includes everything. OTHER SPEAKER: And did we speak about the deaf centre? Yes. SPEAKER: Yeah, it be a deaf centre where. I don't know, like, it would including counselling services, you name it. It would be all in one location, so just as others have mentioned already. So it would be centralized. It would include, you know, coffee shop,