Special points of interest - Ontario Association of the Deaf

Special points of
interest:
Acting Captain Ken Jackson
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OAD Update
VRS Update
HIV and news
DOP Update
Mayfest pictures
President’s Bio
Toronto Fire Services.
Page 2
Deaf Ontario News
Editor’s note
Be sure to see our President Wayne’s biography on
page 17!
We welcome all news, articles,
letters to the editor, and other
tell us your ideas to include
in our newsletter?
We always welcome arti-
Check out our amazing volunteers for 2012 on pages 8
cles, letters, and photos of
interest to our members
& 9.
and readers.
Do YOU have news or information to share with us?
Have some suggestions for
what you would like to see?
Why not get in touch and
Email us at:
dean@deafontario.ca
lori@deafontario.ca
OR
office@deafontario.ca
Let us know!
contributions. We reserve the
right of acceptance or rejection
and the right to edit all
submissions that we publish.
Please send all correspondence
to: OAD 2395 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M2L 1A2
OAD Board and Staff
Board - Executive Directors
Directors at Large
Staff
President
Wayne Nicholson
Toronto
Rusty Clarke
Lindsay
Executive Director
Dean Walker
or email office@deafontario.ca
The opinions expressed do not
necessarily reflect the policy of
Vice President
Nancy Travis Blanchard
Brampton
Ontario Association of the
Deaf. Articles from OAD
NEWS may be reprinted with
David Kerr
Windsor
George Postlethwait Jr
Toronto
permission from the editor and
Secretary
Megan Youngs
Milton
authors. Submissions may be
edited for length and clarity.
Treasurer
We reserve this right.
Anthony Cipparrone
Michael Zagozdzon
Whitby
Milton
The best and most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even
touched, they must be
felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
© 2013 Ontario Association
of the Deaf
Communications Coordinator
Lori Archer
HIV Health Promotion Director
Nicole Noble
Kristin Snoddon
Whitby
News for today
Contact us
Co-Editor and Layout/
Design:
Dean Walker
Co– Editor and Copy
Editor
Lori Archer
Contributors:
Dean Walker
Lori Archer
Nicole Noble
Office:
2395 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M2L 1A2
office@deafontario.ca
www.deafontario.ca
tty 416.513.1893
fax 416.413.4822
voice 416.413.9191
Deaf Outreach Program
www.deafontario.ca/dop
tty 416.413.1093
fax 416.413.4822
Those who
can, do.
Those who can
do more,
volunteer!
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Deaf Ontario News
Executive Director’s note
Dean Walker
Executive Director
Greetings from
Executive Director
Greetings my fellow members
and citizens, I hope that you have
had a good spring. This year is
even more exciting than last year
with so much happening!
The great staff at OAD/DOP and
I are still busy completing our
spring work. I continue to be busy
with DOP staff, DOP volunteers,
buddies, and clients. DOP has not
been quiet these past few months
either, especially with Nicole and
Lori busy preparing for workshops, meetings, and contact with
the clients, Nicole went to the
School for the Deaf in Belleville,
Toronto and Milton, and a College in Toronto to provide the
HIV/AIDS awareness presentation. It was very successful.
Thank you to the teachers for
inviting her to make the presentations. In other issues, we attended some workshops and trainings
in HIV AIDS organizations in Toronto. We had meetings with the
committee members for a few
months. They raised their concerns to us. A few Deaf Clients
are not comfortable to visit at
the DOP office in BRCD. We
are having some continued
difficulty helping clients understand that DOP is here to develop resources for them in
ASL, not to provide counseling. There is no funding from
MOH for DOP to provide direct counseling to clients or to
provide a confidential office/
meeting space. We have to
refer them to other agencies
and assist in finding interpreters for the clients and their
family members. I have contacted several agencies (in the
GTA for now) to inquire
about the possibility of utilizing
office space one or two days a
week in a setting such as a
clinic or the AIDS Committee
of Toronto. In addition, I checked
with one organization from Windsor who has a few Deaf clients. I
must continue to contact other
agencies in other cities.
We will go to Pride day in Toronto this coming June. We hope that
you can join us at our DOP
booth. Currently, we have some
placement students here at the
office. They are really helpful for
DOP staff. The Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care (MOH) consultant was pleased that we did
well with new documents for reporting last spring. The government changed to a better format
with a lot more details. They need
to know how all programs spend
for one year with a full report
every 6 months. I think it was
OAD Executive Director Dean Walker chats with 2012 volunteers at
the volunteer appreciation evening held March 26th in the BRCD Cafeteria area.
Page 4
Deaf Ontario News
very helpful for us to see the
plan. Come and see what we do.
We staff do look forward to
working with you.
For Mayfest …
Wow! Lori and I believe that we
did our best for you all in the
Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place for Mayfest 2013. It
is a much bigger and better space
with 16,000 square feet as opposed to only 10,000 at the old
location. It also has a lot of available less expensive parking.
There are several school field
trips that enjoy attending our
event.
We are very excited that the TD
bank group once again supports
our event. More good news!
We had the Police officers who
use American Sign Language at
Mayfest again. Also we had a
booth for Toronto Fire Services,
the OVRS committee and
more…. I expect that all of you
enjoyed chatting with them.
We invited Fire staff to have a
booth so you could chat with
them with the interpreters. We
did not host a night social because there was not many people
there last year. We are sure that
you enjoyed attending some of
the other evening events after
Mayfest.
We have booked August 9th,
2013 for our FOURTH annual
Knickers tournament. Look on
page 21 for more details. Hope
that you can bring your friends
and family there. Come on out
and join us for the fun! Look at
OAD’s site for more information.
And on that point, a friendly reminder of OAD’s & DOP’s
events:
Updated - Notice of hearing by
CRTC.
Issues related to the feasibility of
establishing a video relay service
On the behalf of the board, we wish
to thank you for filling out
the submission for VRS at
CRTC on line. More than
3000 people did!
It is very important that
you did this! You can find
the intervention lists at
CRTC’s website.
We also thank Sarah Moreland for leading the
Town Halls in Ontario.
Here
The board
is a board
has a meeting so
at OAD/DOP
you know office
that it every
is verymonth.
accessible
David
forKerr,
everyone..
uses video
conferencing to attend meetings. They are busy and prepare for their members.
Hope that there will be
very good progress. Our
directors will go to Gatineau, Quebec on October 21, 2013.
Deaf Ontario News
Page 5
Lori Archer - Communications Coordinator
ence, and responding to emails and phone
calls. On March 26th we held volunteer
excited to see each other. We provided
information and sold Mayfest tickets as well
appreciation at BRCD in the cafeteria area.
This is always fun to see everyone come
out to socialize, share desserts, and receive
as handing out info and resources for DOP.
their achievement certificates for volunteering. We had volunteer orientation for
Mayfest on April 30th from 7-8PM in the
BRCD cafeteria. It was the same evening as
Hello Loyal Members and Friends
I can hardly believe the month of May is
over already! Where does the time go? I
am really excited that the weather is now
sunny and warm, and of course that May-
OVRS, in the BRCD gym so it was very
busy evening! Our volunteers are so important to us. We absolutely cannot hold
events without them! A reminder also that
our dedicated Board of Directors are ALL
volunteers as well, giving endless hours of
their time to ensure a better future for
fest was another fun and successful
event!
Deaf Ontarians!
This year our generous Mayfest sponsor TD had some special activities lined up
al Family Violence Coordinator at Peel
Regional Police to provide another training
session to the Domestic Violence Investiga-
for those attending. In addition to demonstrating VRI (video remote interpreting)
and handing out awesome TD tote bags,
find out more, or request a presentation be
sure to contact DOP’s
Health Promotion Director– Nicole Noble
a t :
n i o l e @
deafontario.ca
Have a happy, healthy
and safe summer
Deaf Ontario!
tors. This was once again a great group of
officers very interested in learning more
about how they may best assist the Deaf
Community.
“planting” and “naming” their very own
tree contributing to the environment.
On Saturday April 27th OAD and DOP had
two booths at the E.C. Drury school’s 50 th
reunion. The decorations at the school
fest possible.
matters and the promotion of safe sex. If
your school or organization would like to
April 23rd I was invited back by the Region-
they also set up the TD forest display!
Adults and children alike enjoyed
TD’s support and dedication to OAD and
the Deaf Community is what makes May-
As I am sure you know, t is very important
to continue educating everyone on health
were beautiful, and it was so much fun
seeing former classmates reunited and
My focus recently was
coordinating Mayfest
with the Direct Energy
Centre,( CNE), their
catering staff, the exhibitors, and the volunteers. Also planning
the upcoming Knickers
golf tournament, DOP
issues, meetings, hosting four interpreting
placement students at
the office, correspond-
Here is the new DOP bookmark!
OAD/DOP booth Lori ,Nancy, and George at ECD
school
Will provide at Mayfest, Pride Day,
AIDS Walk and more events.
Deaf Ontario News
Nicole Noble We
provide
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DOP HIV Health Promotion Director
information
about HIV/AIDS to the
Deaf community, in addition to support to Deaf people who are facing AIDSrelated issues.
Dear supporters of Deaf Outreach
Program,
Thank you for your commitment
to this organization. Without your
support, we would be unable to
continue this program. With your
ongoing support, we are providing
DPHA’s (Deaf Persons with HIV/
AIDS) with the care and love that
they need. We also pay attention
to at-risk groups. Recognizing the
needs for HIV/AIDS & other STD
prevention is significant. We are
constantly encouraging anti oppression, anti-discrimination and
de-stigmatizing movements. Working together will guarantee a better
future for everyone.
It is so exciting to see snow melt
away, and nature blossoming into a
green wonder. Energies are now
floating around in the air. May is
finally here. As the hearing expression states, “May brings flowers,”
but May also brings us so much excitement as many Deaf, Hard-ofHearing, and allies will be together
during Mayfest. After Mayfest,
there is Pride. This year, Deaf Outreach Program will make an appearance at ORAD’s (Ontario Rainbow
Alliance of the Deaf) annual
“Drag’ing ASL to Pride.” We will
have performances in American Sign
Language and we will also demonstrate how to perform safe sex.
Some of you may have been wondering what Deaf Outreach Program has been up to lately as some
of you loyal subscribers may have
noticed that you have not yet received Deaf Outreach Program’s
monthly newsletter for April. If you
are interested to subscribe, feel free
to contact me at nicole@deafontario.ca. It has been a
crazy and hectic month as there
were THREE HIV/AIDS 101 presentations given to three various
schools for different age groups.
Health 101 on April 19th was considered as beneficial and very educating. For some of those who are
interested in learning more but
were unable to attend, clips will be
made online via YouTube. Also,
some of you are concerned about
Social Media
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Deaf Ontario News
Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Night
Our annual volunteer appreciation night was held
March 26th in the dining room at BRCD.
Over the years, the numbers of volunteers has
grown. We are proud to count 51 wonderful dedicated individuals as volunteers in 2013.
These loyal supporters volunteered in a variety of
duties at Mayfest, Pride Day, OAD’s Knickers Golf
Tournament, Scotiabank’s AIDS Walk for Life,
World AIDS Day, and at times in the OAD/DOP
office.
tion signed by the OAD Board President and the Executive Director. After mingling and enjoying refreshments, we all enjoyed staying to socialize.
There are many opportunities throughout the year
for you to get involved as a volunteer! Some may offer experience that is beneficial to your career by
learning new skills. Some may offer you the chance to
meet new people and make new friends. Whatever
your interest in volunteering, you can be sure that it
gives you the opportunity to have some fun while giving of your time and expertise to the Deaf community.
Each volunteer received a certificate of apprecia-
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Ahmet Koczk
Angela De Sanctis
Brenda Ward
Byron Walker
Ashraf Khan
Chris Butler
Daniella Ronca
Danny Rice
Darrell Villa
Dave Cooper
Denika Taitt
Elizabeth Correia
Faim Poirer
Hugh MacEachern
Imran Hakamali
Jacob Duprey
Jahweed Iqbali
Jam Gelua
Jan Strakhov
Jordyn Thompson
Judy Ramsahai
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If you are interested in volunteering for any of our
upcoming events, or want to learn
Julian Ramirez
more, please contact us at ofKara Tuba
fice@deafontario.ca or on our website at
www.deafontario.ca/
Kathleen Cartier
volunteers.html
Kathy Gibson
Kim Bourne
Liam Nelson
Luis Alcobia
Lynette Persaud
Maia Mikitiouk
Marcus Clarke
Matthew Shortt
Melissa Jaganaught
Melissa Laister
Mitchell LaFrance
Mugelan Suyampulingam
Nick Chilton
Nick Watson
Pavi Sivagnanasundaram
Rali Popcheva
Raymond D
Richard Fortier
Samanth Perry
In closing, a big THANK YOU to
our fantastic volunteers. Without
you, we simply could not do what
we do!
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Sean Power
Sherry Dafoe
Tala Jalili
Tina Hyrtle
Tyler Blackburn
Urdia Ribeiro
Victoria Bispham
Wayne Watts
Lesley Roach
Pauline Landry
Thank you!
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Deaf Ontario News
Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation night
Volunteers enjoy socializing before awards and dessert!
L-R: Anthony Lall, Lakeram Surujbali, Chris Butler, Raymond Deen, and Julian Ramirez
Nicole Noble- DOP Health Promotion Director chats with
volunteer Chris Butler
Clara Ryall receives her certificate from Lori and Dean
L-R : Lori Archer - Communications Coordinator, and
Dean Walker - Executive Director with volunteer Chris
Butler
Thank you cake and other yummy “goodies”
Front Row: L-R Maia Miktitouk, Clara Ryall, Shelley Ryall,
Chris Butler, Anthony Lall, Raymond Deen Back Row: L-R
Julian Ramirez, Lakeram Surujbali, and Dean Walker
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Deaf Ontario News
World AIDS Day’s video process—we are working on the
videos and are currently translating ASL to English to develop
captioning for non-signers as we
need to ensure that accessibility
needs are being met.
Deaf Outreach Program has
many ongoing projects and ideas
brewing for the future. Watch
out for new details and information. If you ever have ANY
burning questions, feel free to
contact us. We have various
ways: e-mail, DOP’s website,
Skype, OoVoo, Twitter, and Facebook.
Also, we would like to recognize
George Brown College’s first
year interpreting program placement students (2 for DOP and
2 for OAD) as their assistance
has been of a great benefit. With
the students, we were able to
accomplish many goals and complete several projects.
We are looking forward to
assisting you in any way we possibly can.
Yours Truly,
Nicole Noble
HIV Health Promotion Director
Deaf Outreach Program
On Sale NOW!
See on page 21
Order this poster “Seeing Language”
Fits 10” x 10” frame
Contact Marg at (email)
azsculp@aol.com
Page 10
Pictures from Mayfest 2013!
Thank you exhibitors, attendees, volunteers and board
directors for coming to our event. Special thanks to Toronto Police Services and Toronto Fire Services for
providing their information and gifts to the children.
They really enjoyed them. Thanks to the staff and volunteers from Silent Voice for keeping the children busy all
day. We believe that they had a long nap after their ac-
tivities. Also thank you to Seth Gerlis and his crew
from IDEAF News for filming and for pictures. See more
Mayfest pix at http://ideafnews.com/
Lastly, we are excited to inform you that the TD Bank
Group again proudly supports OAD’s Mayfest. We
must thank TD for their true commitment as a loyal
sponsor.
Mayfest SPONSOR TD and the TD Forest Display!
TD Community Relations Manager—Tina Murphy with her
team
Canadian Association of the Deaf ‘s (CAD)
Executive Director Jim Roots
Toronto Police Services and Toronto Fire Services
Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf’s (CCSD) booth and
ASL Alphabet
Ontario Deaf Bikers President— Brian LaLonde
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Deaf Ontario News
Scotiabank Booth
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Provincial Schools Branch
Children’s activities by Silent Voice
Elvis Malcolm of the Can Skip Program brought to you by
Malkia Larbi of Universal Vibes
Sheila Zell with her ENJO booth
Lions Foundation of Canada
Dog Guides
Toronto Police & Fire Services
Deaf Ontario News
Ontario Interpreting Service was
founded in association with
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Deaf Ontario News
Deaf Outreach Program Presents
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Deaf Ontario News
4th Annual “Savour
the Flavour” Fundraising Event
Guest speaker Joseph Pohorly from Joseph’s Estate Wines who
donated the wines to BRAD. Heather (right) is interpreting.
ing mental health challenges than their hearing peers. PAH! Is
the only specialized mental health program for Deaf and hard
of hearing children, youth, children of Deaf adults and their
families in the province of Ontario. The PAH! Program proAttendees enjoyed the dinner, wine and live/silent auction at
the beautiful Country Heritage Park in the Gambrel Barn.
vides mental health counselling services enabling Deaf individuals to receive the help they need to live full and productive
lives.
On Saturday, April 13th, 2013 the Bob Rumball Associa-
Our ability to continue our important work is greatly depend-
tions for the Deaf (BRAD) hosted its 4th Annual “Savour the
Thanks to all Guests and Volunteers who supported us by
Flavour” Fundraising Event to raise funds for BRAD’s PAH!
attending our Fundraiser!
Program. The gala evening was held at the beautiful Country
Heritage Park in the Gambrel Barn in Milton (nestled in the
shadow of the Niagara Escarpment!)
The evening was a huge success with 175 guests in attendance,
including generous sponsors, local dignitaries, business associ-
ent on the generosity of supporters.
With special thanks to: OAD members, directors
and staff who attended this Fundraiser!
Hope to see you next year!
ates and those who are passionate about the good work we
do. All of our guests enjoyed fine wine, outstanding beer and
great food! The highlights of the evening included a silent auction, jazzy tunes and great items up for bid on the live auction
(including a race around the Canadian Tire Motorsport with
Jim Kenzie!)
With great thanks to our dedicated sponsors and supporters,
we are proud to announce that we raised over $20,000 towards BRAD’s PAH! Program – A Mental Health program for
Deaf Children, Youth and their Families. Because the effects
of being Deaf often causes isolation, frustration and loneliness,
Deaf children and adolescents are at a greater risk of develop-
Karen Chambers, Executive Director of BRAD (left) gave her
words.
Deaf Ontario News
Page 15
OAD proudly sells our products here.
OAD must fundraise for our important operations. We try to provide products for everyone to buy. We will
be thrilled if you show your support by buying one or more. The order form is on the next page.
In the Store for sale
LE
L SA
A
I
C
SPE
0
$10.0
NEW! - Cap with OAD’s Logo
On sale - $15.00 each
Check on http://www.deafontario.ca/products.html for more information and details
Page 16
——— $10
——— $10
Cap with OAD’s logo
10.00
15.00
2013 Ontario Deaf Foundation Calendar
10.00
10.00
Deaf Ontario News
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Biography - Director of OAD board
Profile: Wayne Nicholson, your President
Wayne was born in Toronto to a
Deaf mother and hearing father.
He also has a Deaf foster sister.
Wayne attended junior and senior
kindergarten at the Metro Toronto
School for the Deaf before transferring to a number of different
elementary schools run by the Toronto public and Catholic school
boards. He attended the Dante
Alighieri Academy for the first
three years of high school before
finally transferring at his own request to the Ernest C. Drury
School for the Deaf high school at
age 17. Attending a Deaf residential school had a big impact
on Wayne, and he enjoyed academics more than he did in
mainstream school environments where there was limited
communication between educators and Deaf students. After his first year, Wayne received the youth leadership
award from the Ontario Association of the Deaf
which served to be one
of the impetuses to his
life
of
advocacy.
Throughout his childhood,
Wayne and his family were
involved with the Toronto
Association of the Deaf
(TAD) He was involved
with the Scarborough Silent
Express Club (SSEC) and
then the Toronto Deaf Club
(TDC). Wayne’s family also
attended the Holy Name
Church and participated in the activities of the St. Francis DeSales
Society of the
Deaf.
It
was
through this early
exposure to the
Deaf community
that Wayne at a
young age met former OAD President William (Bill)
McGovern, who
became a lifelong
inspiration.
Upon graduating
from E.C. Drury,
Wayne attended
Gallaudet Universi-
ty, where he received a B.A. in
Psychology with a minor in teaching ASL. He then returned to Ontario and became heavily involved
with Deaf organizations through
both professional and volunteer
work for Deaf Literacy Initiative
(formerly GOLD), Silent Voice,
BRCD, CHS, OAD, OCSD, ODSA, and TAD. For the past 15
years, Wayne has worked as a pro-
fessor in the ASL-English Interpreter, ASL Literacy Instructor and the
ASL Deaf Studies programs at
George Brown College. Wayne
has also been a Deaf Interpreter
for more than 20 years.
Wayne and his wife Jeanette live in
Toronto with their Deaf son, Calder, who attends the Sir James
Whitney School for the Deaf.
OAD members, who elected
Wayne to a second term as OAD
President, are fortunate to have
the benefit of his vision, leadership,
and diplomacy.
Deaf Ontario News
Media Information
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Deaf Ontario News
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Please email your completed surveys to: office@deafontario.ca or mail to OAD’s office
Page 21
Ontario Association
of the Deaf
The board and staff are excited to host our 4th Annual Golf Event on Friday August 9, 2013. We hope
you will join us for a fun day at our OAD Knickers
Tournament! Yes, it’s on a FRIDAY this year!
It is very IMPORTANT that OAD fund raise, we
both NEED and appreciate your SUPPORT.
OAD Knickers
Tournament
We think you will enjoy golfing and wearing the
unique knickers. We are encouraging everyone to
wear the Knickers clothing. There will be awards for
low score, longest drive etc. and BEST CLOTHES!
To assist outfitting you with the knickers clothing we
have arranged some good discounts and special deals
for your team.
Contact Allan Hume:
Royal Ontario Golf Club
6378 Trafalgar Road
Milton, ON, Canada
at golfknickers@nor-del.ca to inquire about ordering your colourful Knickers. You may win the Best
Knickers prize!
Of course you are still welcome to play in regular
golf attire if you prefer.
Please contact us for registration at
office@deafontario.ca
Don’t dare miss it! Play golf!
Friday, August 9, 2013
1:30 - Shotgun Start
7:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards
Deaf Ontario News
Page 22
Ontario Association of the Deaf
2395 Bayview Ave ,
Toronto, Ontario.
Canada
M2L 1A2