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Grand Theatre Expands Accessibility for Deaf Community

For Immediate Release
NEWS RELEASE
LONDON, ONTARIO, December 18, 2017

The Grand Theatre announces expanded accessibility initiatives for Deaf and hard of hearing patrons. The Grand’s commitment to offering an accessible theatre environment spans from the introduction of open-captioned performances to additional American Sign Language-interpreted performances, and from enhanced front-of-house services to productions inspired by stories about historic figures who were deaf, as well as casting that includes actors from the Deaf and hard of hearing community.

“We met with members of the Deaf community, asked a lot of questions, had incredible conversations, and from there, we determined our next steps in building a more accessible theatre environment,” said Deb Harvey, Executive Director of the Grand Theatre. “We want to make more of our performances visually accessible to Deaf and hard of hearing patrons and offer the best possible theatre experience for everyone.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/grand-theatre-expands-accessibility-for-deaf-community/

Low-Cost Smart Glove Translates American Sign Language Alphabet

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a smart glove that wirelessly translates the American Sign Language alphabet into text and controls a virtual hand to mimic sign language gestures. The device, which engineers call “The Language of Glove,” was built for less than $100 using stretchable and printable electronics that are inexpensive, commercially available and easy to assemble. The work was published on July 12 in the journal PLOS ONE.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/low-cost-smart-glove-translates-american-sign-language-alphabet/

Ontario’s Deaf-Blind Lack Support, Intervention Options

George Brown College Offers Only Training in Province, Leaving Families with Little Aid Scott Wheeler
The Toronto Star , June 17, 2017

When Serena Reynolds became an intervener for the deaf-blind a decade ago, she stumbled into her career by accident.

Like many, Reynolds didn’t know that thousands of children and adults in Ontario live with the dual disability, made famous by Helen Keller and recognized since 2015 in June, during National Deafblind Awareness Month.

Reynolds went to school to become a child needs worker and struggled to find a job until she came across a listing for interveners.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/ontarios-deaf-blind-lack-support-intervention-options/

Festival Showcases Disability and Deaf Cultures

People with disabilities will be in the spotlight at Toronto’s second annual ReelAbilities Film Festival (RAFFTO).

The event, which runs from May 10 to 18, will screen 17 films that will showcase disability and deaf cultures.

Read more at
http://www.aoda.ca/festival-showcases-disability-and-deaf-cultures/

I’m over the moon!

By Michelle Ruby
Brantford Expositor, Apr.6, 2017

Bob Seed said he’s overcome with relief over a tentative agreement that could result in compensation for former visually impaired, blind and deafblind students at W. Ross Macdonald School who were allegedly abused over a span of more than 60 years.

“I’m over the moon,” said Seed, a former W. Ross Macdonald student and plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit brought against the Province of Ontario, which operates the school. “It’s a huge burden lifted off my shoulders.”

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/im-over-the-moon/

Deaf Community Under Stress as Canadian Hearing Society Strike Continues

For many in the Toronto’s Deaf community, workers with the Canadian Hearing Society provide essential support, from fixing hearing aids to interpreting at medical appointments, even helping to find employment. Since March, hundreds of CHS workers across the province have been on strike, and the effects are causing many clients to join staff on picket lines.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/deaf-community-under-stress-as-canadian-hearing-society-strike-continues/

Ottawa’s Deaf Community ‘At a Loss’ Amid Canadian Hearing Society Strike

As hundreds of Canadian Hearing Society workers strike across the province, people who are deaf or hard of hearing are left without some of the counselling and audiology services they rely on.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/ottawas-deaf-community-at-a-loss-amid-canadian-hearing-society-strike/

Running with Gaston at the NYC Marathon

We did it. we ran and completed the New York City Marathon with 51,000 other runners on November 6, 2016.

It was an amazing experience guiding Gaston Bedard, a deaf-blind 64 year-old runner, through the biggest street party in the world.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/running-with-gaston-at-the-nyc-marathon/

How Do Deaf-Blind People Communicate?

Deaf-blind people have many different ways of communication.
The methods they use vary, depending on the causes of their combined vision and hearing loss, their backgrounds, and their education.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/how-do-deaf-blind-people-communicate/

CBC Expands Accessibility Project for Hearing-Impaired Audiences

CBC is expanding a successful pilot project to make its radio programming more accessible to those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, with As It Happens to now join The Current in posting daily show transcripts online to read, print and share.

Read more at
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com/cbc-expands-accessibility-project-for-hearing-impaired-audiences/