CNIB Deafblind Community Services

From a trip to the grocery store, to an outing with a friend to staying active at the gym - intervenors help facilitate communication, access, and participation in all parts of daily life for people who are Deafblind. They are narrators, informers, guides, and communicators. Taking direction from the person who is Deafblind, intervenors help enable communication and provide information about the physical environment. Interested in learning more about the work that Intervenors do? Visit https://lnkd.in/giJ3XSXu

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Penny Leclair (Bennett), Board Chair for CNIB Deafblind Community Services has been inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame! Penny Bennett is a renowned leader and advocate within Canada’s blind, low vision and Deafblind community. For decades, she has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and dismantle barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. Her efforts include advocating for the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2015) and holding significant leadership roles in numerous national, provincial, and local organizations. Penny has served on various committees and boards, including as Chair of CNIB Deafblind Community Services, member of the Municipal Accessibility Awareness Committee for the City of Kingston, Ontario, and Co-Chair of the National Deafblind Awareness Month Working Group. She has also played a key role in creating a self-advocacy guide for the Deafblind community and champions equitable access to intervenor services, ensuring that all Canadians who are Deafblind can live the lives they choose. On behalf of DBCS, we congratulate Penny on this prestigious honour and extend our heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering dedication and contributions to the blind, low vision, and Deafblind communities. Your dedication and leadership inspire us all! Read more: https://lnkd.in/gaUJ3QG #CDHoF #CanadianDisabilityHallOfFame #DBCS #Blind #LowVision #Deafblind #DeafblindCommunity #Advocacy #Inclusion #Leadership Image description: A headshot of Penny Bennett

Helen Keller devoted her life to advocacy, activism and lifelong learning. She published several books and lived a full and meaningful life. The support she received allowed her to uplift and empower others in the Deafblind community. Happy Birthday, Helen Keller! #DeafblindAwarenessMonth https://lnkd.in/gnaCjHZs

Last week, several DBCS clients attended camp at CNIB Lake Joe! Located in the heart of Muskoka, Ontario, CNIB Lake Joe is a one-of-a-kind accessible camp that stretches over 12.5 acres on the northwest corner of beautiful Lake Joseph. For over 60 years, CNIB Lake Joe has been providing enriching camp experiences for Canadians with sight loss of all ages – where children are encouraged to shine, youth are empowered to thrive, and 'kids of all ages' enjoy recreational pursuits. During the adult week programs, campers have the chance to participate in a wide variety of activities - from arts and crafts to swimming to pontoon cruises - there's truly something for everyone! As a special #DeafblindAwarenessMonth activity, campers also had the chance to decorate pots for plants as a part of the #GrowingUnderstanding campaign. What's your favourite summer camp activity? Image descriptions: 1) A woman wearing a bright orange apron paints a clay pot inside the rec hall. 2) A woman holds up a large print and braille bingo card, and her prize, a ten dollar bill. 3) A man wearing a life jacket smiles while on a pontoon boat on a boat cruise. 4) Three people smile as they pose in front of the waterfront at Lake Joe. Two of them hold white canes in their hands. 5)Two women embrace for a hug and smile in the dining hall at camp.

In Saskatoon, DBCS Client Ryan is making waves for #DeafblindAwarnessMonth ! 39-year-old Ryan Riehl began losing his vision at age nine , and lost his hearing later in life - but he hasn’t let it get in the way of doing what he loves. Supported by his coach, David Wassill, and his DBCS Intervenor, Akane, Ryan's love of waterskiing has flourished. In fact, he's currently gearing up to compete on the national team at the World Disabled Water Ski Championships in Australia next spring. During Deafblind Awareness Month, we're again reminded of the incredible impact that intervenor services have. They create hope, build confidence, and increase safety and independence - opening up a world of possibilities for people who are Deafblind - and empower them to live the lives they choose. https://lnkd.in/gd8D9pBc

Last week, kids in schools all across Ontario and Saskatchewan had the chance to participate in the #GrowingUnderstanding campaign. Students planted their flowers and participated in a wide variety of learning activities, and even welcomed guest presenters from DBCS's very own staff team who dropped by to teach some sign language, and talk a little bit more about what it means to be #Deafblind. Image descriptions: 1) Three small cups and seed packets laid out on the table. There is a bag of soil and a sticker in the background. 2)A group of students sit in a classroom and practice fingerspelling in American Sign Language. 3) ASL finger spelling activity sheets are laid out on the student's desks.

If you or someone you care about needs our help, we're here. If you or someone you love has experienced dual sensory loss, we can help. Whether you need support with communication, accessing parts of your community, our high quality, personalized services are here to a diverse set of needs. Through our customized intervenor services, we aim to empower people who are Deafblind to live the lives they choose with confidence, independence, and safety. Learn more about DBCS's programs and services https://lnkd.in/g3fSmmuQ Image description: An intervenor places their fingertip on a man's fingertip, facilitating two-hand communication while in a store.

Did you know that there are lots of different communication methods that a person who is Deafblind might use? One method is called print-on-palm! In this communication method, letters are traced on the palm, so the user can “read” what is being written on their hand. While this method can often be a slower form of communication, it requires minimal training and can be learned quickly. You can learn more about the many different communication methods that DBCS clients use by visiting https://lnkd.in/gDVdBwgp Image description: A male client holds his hand out to receive print on palm. An intervenor traces a message letter by letter onto the client's hand. A woman sits in the background. The print on palm icon appears in the top left-hand corner. #Deafblind #DeafblindAwarenessMonth #Communication #Accessibility #Inclusion

Did you know that DBCS clients can attend camp at CNIB's Lake Joseph Centre? Since 1961, Lake Joe has provided unique camp experiences for Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, or Deafblind, as well as their families. Lake Joe is in Ontario, about an hour north of Toronto, located on an accessible lakefront property in the beautiful Muskoka region. Campers have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of fun summer activities, including everything from sailing to archery to guided pontoon cruises. To learn more about CNIB Lake Joe's programs, visit https://lnkd.in/g9w8cdds [Image description: DBCS client Monique wades in the shallow water at the Beach at CNIB Lake Joe. A lifeguard stands beside her, offering an arm as a sighted guide.]

Did you know there are two broad types of Deafblindness? Congenital Deafblindness is a term used if a person is born with sight and hearing loss. This may be due to infections during pregnancy, premature birth, birth trauma and rare genetic conditions. Acquired Deafblindness is a term used if a person experiences sight and hearing loss later in life. Anyone can become Deafblind at any time through illness, accident, or as a result of aging. You can learn more about Deafblindness by visiting https://lnkd.in/ghQS--rk Image description: A client uses ASL to communicate with an intervenor in a flower shop.