BRINGING EMPOWER PEOPLE CONNECT TOGETHER SUPPORT

SHARE

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER INTRODUCING... OUR OUR NEW VISION NEW MISSION A world where the Deaf, To bring together hard of hearing & those Deaf, hard of hearing & at risk of hearing loss are hearing Albertans with recognized and respected service and technology so they can fully options to advance participate in society. access and opportunity.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 1 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

WE THANK ALL OUR FUNDERS, WHO HELP US BRING OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO FRUITION:

• Allard Foundation • Ernie & Jeannette Hauser Endowment • ATCO Electric - EPIC Fund, North Rotary Club • Bowness Lions Club • Foundation for Seniors’ Care – • Butler Family Foundation Heart of Excellence • CAF America • Government of - Community Initiatives Program • Calgary Heritage Lions Club • Nickle Family Foundation • Calgary Learns • Southern Alberta Deaf Centre Fund • Campbell McLaurin Foundation • Springbank Lions Club • CHHA Calgary • Stollery Charitable Foundation • City of Calgary Emergency Resiliency Fund • Suncor Employee Matching Program • City of Calgary Family and • Tom & Kathy Pinder Community Support Services (FCSS) • Telus Employee Matching Program • Elks Lodge No. 11 • United Way of Calgary and Area • Westjet

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 2 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

FEBRUARY FRIENDSHIP FEAST SHARING FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

On February 10, 2018, by popular “I’m so happy turkey dinner demand, we revived and refreshed our famous “Turkey Dinner” as our new came back. It was great!” February Friendship Feast. Catered by Kuko Catering, over 100 people enjoyed a full, gourmet-style turkey dinner in a homey and relaxed new venue, the Scandinavian Centre. There were tons of prizes and a few raffles, and a chance to share food and fellowship with some old and new friends. No one left wanting more – except maybe to come back again next year!

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 3 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

PEER•TO•HEAR CONNECTING MENTEES AND MENTORS

Peer-to-Hear Mentoring matches Some comments from our clients: adults dealing with hearing loss with • “I had amazing mentors who assisted me to reach a trusted mentor who has walked a my goal, helping me, motivating me while having a similar path and can offer support. great time with great conversations.” The mentor provides lived experience, sharing stories, strategies and steps • “I received solid advice points on social along the journey to help overcome the relations and relationships.” hurdles that come with hearing loss. • “The program inspired me One to one mentoring allowed our to get hearing aids.” CONNECT SHARE mentees take steps towards a more EMPOWER fulfilling social life. We also provided group mentoring sessions for those “I received solid advice points on who like a group setting. social relations and relationships.”

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 4 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FIRST AID COURSES SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

We offered our first ever FIRST AID staff member to attend and complete COURSE for the Deaf and Hard of a Standard First Aid Course & CPR Hearing in October and November training program - the cost would with great success. Over 25 clients be over $2000 when interpreters are took advantage of the class with full required for one Deaf learner. This ASL interpreting provided. closes the door for many working Deaf people when it comes to equal The difficulty for Deaf people is employment opportunities. finding suitable organizations that can deliver First Aid & CPR training in We are uniquely qualified to provide American Sign Language. In addition, this training within a Deaf learner’s employers often do not have the setting. This program was made financial resources for the added possible through support provided cost of Interpreters for their Deaf by the City of Calgary Emergency Resiliency Fund.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 5 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER ASL FOR NEW CANADIANS EMPOWERING LITERACY AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

We began a “Deaf Immigrant” Customized ASL session for some newcomers to . The session is attended by Deaf immigrants or refugees from places like Syria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Iraq. The Deaf newcomers need to be able to understand both English AND ASL before they can enter any programs, training, or participate in other activities (i.e. doctor’s appointments, meetings with immigration officials) but most importantly they need to be ASL proficient so that they can understand interpreters and vice versa! We are the only agency offering this service at this time. Thanks to the City of Calgary Emergency Resiliency Funding, DHA was able to offer this ASL literacy to Deaf newcomers for the first time ever, and we’re looking for funding to continue this much valued program.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 6 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER INTERPRETING SERVICES CONNECTING THROUGH ASL LANGUAGE

We provide ASL interpreters for an array of life situations. Medical interpreting is our mainstay but that is not all we do. You • A Deaf electrician wanted to make a positive may be surprised to learn that we have impact in his future career direction and been involved in providing interpreters for took a week long safety certificate course some amazing and unique scenarios. • A Deaf person attended an employment We help people engage within their banquet with his family and received a communities. Using our interpreters, lifetime service award • A Deaf person successfully completed a • Deaf people were month long class 3 Truck driving course engaged in their communities attending • A certified Deaf Yoga teacher attended events such as a and completed a Yoga teacher training Residential Tenancy and upgrading weekend meeting or a Condo Board meeting

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 7 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER INTERPRETING SERVICES CONNECTING THROUGH ASL LANGUAGE

We also worked with agencies and • Citizenship Canada, to allow Deaf new organizations to provide community Canadians to take the citizenship test and based interpreting services that allow for the citizenship ceremonies that follow. full participation for all. We provided • The Government of Canada, for the Air ASL interpreters for: Passenger Protection Town Hall public • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s consultation to gather input regarding new town hall in Edmonton, allowing air passenger rights regime in Canada. Deaf community members to voice • The Canada Deaf Women’s Conference in their opinions and concerns. the summer. in Edmonton to provide • In addition to these, on an ongoing basis, interpretation at Michelle Obama’s we continue to provide service for important informal talk with the community. ceremonial life events such as weddings, • The National Geographic Live Talks funerals and graduations. in Calgary.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 8 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AS฀฀฀฀฀฀SISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ENHANCING COMMUNICATION IN THE COMMUNITY

In 2017/2018 we worked with Calgary Recreation One of the City staff reported that within 30 to provide 20 Counter Loop units at their Customer minutes of installing the equipment at their Service Desks at the following locations: centre, a customer noticed the counter loop and • 13 Indoor Pools, Fitness, and Leisure Centres was overjoyed that it worked for them! Another pool facility was thrilled to provide this new • The Calgary Soccer Centre option to enable better communication with their • 6 City of Calgary Golf Courses customers and, at the same time, We trained City Staff on how to use the units; for a staff member who has sensitivity training was provided to help a hearing loss and wears staff better understand the need for hearing hearing aids. accessibility; and signage was installed so that the general public is aware that they have access to technology for better communication.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 9 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AS฀฀฀฀฀฀SISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ENHANCING COMMUNICATION IN THE COMMUNITY

On a day-to-day basis we continued to enhance communication, safety, and quality of life. • A refugee family from Pakistan, whose oldest daughter is Deaf, came to our office because they wanted to nurture their daughter’s independence. We showed them the safety and signaling devices they needed and why these are so important. We found available funding to help them obtain the equipment. In addition, information on the Calgary Vulnerable Persons’ Self-Registry was provided, as well as Text with 9-1-1 information. The father contacted us to say that his daughter now feels safe in her home and is more confident to be alone.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 10 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER ฀฀฀WRAPAROUND SERVICES EMPOWERING CLIENTS

We empower our clients with “wraparound services” through a coordinated effort of our teams. For example: • For the refugee family described previously, Deaf • For a client who initially received Services staff found funding for the daughter to assistive listening equipment from take ASL classes. Accessibility Services, he became one of the first to sign up for our • For a Lebanese refugee with hearing loss, our Hearing Services Speechreading Accessibility, Interpreting and Deaf Services staff classes and was one of our first came together to provide the client with home Peer-to-Hear mentors! safety signaling devices and communicated with him and his family through the help of a Deaf Interpreter.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 11 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER SPEECH AND HEARING AWARENESS MONTH SHARING KNOWLEDGE

During Speech and Hearing Awareness Month in May, we brought awareness about hearing health, hearing testing, and all the programs, services, and technology available to help people understand their hearing better. Some of the activities we did included free hearing tests at City Hall and the Safe Sound Awards. We continue this information sharing year round with presentations to groups and individuals on the various issues surrounding hearing and hearing loss.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 12 BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The organization helped Deaf & Hear Alberta recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities during the famous “Battle of Alberta” game Flames vs. Oilers on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Cindy Pilz, Manager of Deaf Services, signed “O Canada”, our national anthem, alongside singer Michela Sheedy. Scott Oake, sports commentator, mentioned the ASL signing in recognition of IDPD during the national broadcast of the game.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 13