Removing barriers with awareness while making a wave from coast to coast

June 1, 2024 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“All Canadians who are deafblind deserve the opportunity to experience life without barriers in society,” says Penny Bennett, a person who is deafblind and who serves as Co-chair of the National Deafblind Awareness Committee.

The 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability data from Statistics Canada, confirms that over 2% of Canada’s population 15 years and over (or 602,160) are deafblind. According to the survey, 52% of those who are deafblind (or 314,260) are 65 years and older.

Penny shares, “for a person who is deafblind, working with an intervenor helps remove barriers to communication.” An intervenor is a specially trained professional who facilitates communication for people who experience both hearing and vision loss combined.

She adds, “all people who are deafblind should have opportunities to participate as fully as possible. Removing barriers in society sends a message that you are accepted.”

Penny shares, “unfortunately, depending on where they live, Canadians who are deafblind may not have access to intervenors as funding varies across provinces. No one should live with the uncertainty of whether or not they can access Intervenor Services. For me personally, intervenors are crucial to my independence and mental well being.

Penny notes, “we all need to think about how isolating the pandemic was for us all.  For a person who is deafblind, without access to an intervenor, a person can be limited in accessing goods and services.”

Throughout the month of June, the National Deafblind Awareness Committee encourages all Canadians to learn more about the distinct disability of deafblindness by participating in activities and events that celebrate and recognize the contributions of Canadians who are deafblind.

The committee is comprised of people who are deafblind, as well as advocacy and service groups from across Canada. In 2015, June  was proclaimed National Deafblind Awareness Month by the Senate of Canada.

For more information about the lighting up of landmarks in blue, proclamations across towns, cities and provinces, bowling throughout the week of June 10 – 14 and tactile art displays in public spaces where yarn is wrapped or connected to objects, also known as “yarn bombing,” check out: https://www.deafblindnetworkontario.com/news-events/

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Further Information/Media Requests:

Franco Cignelli
fcignelli@chkc.org
647-518-9048