Trigger warning: After reflecting on my answers for the questionnaire, I felt a great deal of grief because my experience during the pandemic has been very different and very isolating as a person with hearing loss. Just a head’s up to be prepared if you take the survey yourself. ~ Jacki

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) is pleased to announce a partnership with Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility, to gather information through a national survey on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on the daily lives of people who are Deaf and hard of hearing.

 “The global pandemic has disrupted so many lives over this past year. We know that for Canadians who are Deaf or hard of hearing, vital information has been missed. The results of the survey will allow us to better understand how communications can be up-to-date and accessible, especially during critical times,” said Lee Pigeau CHHA National Executive Director.

 “Recent data has shown the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people with disabilities around the globe. This national survey will enable us to better understand the unique experiences of Canadians who are Deaf and hard of hearing and how COVID-19 has impacted our communities in the areas of communication accessibility,” says Christopher T. Sutton, CEO of Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility. “The results will enable us to make systematic changes to better serve the needs of our communities throughout the recovery stage of this pandemic and in the future.”

Link to the National Survey https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bISOpqdEZs6ensx

Who should complete the online survey: Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Purpose of the survey: To collect information on the impact the pandemic has had on the daily lives of people who experience hearing loss and deafness. This information will help us better understand how the pandemic has been experienced and also how information about the virus and disease can best be delivered to the public.

This national survey is part of a larger partnership between the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility. This work will assist our organizations in better understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities and the barriers experienced by people who are Deaf and hard of hearing.

A webinar to provide an overview of the survey results is scheduled in May 2021.

About Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

Established in 1956, Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is a BC based, charitable non-profit organization that operates as a social enterprise. Wavefront Centre delivers innovative services in Audiology and Communication Devices, Counselling, Seniors Outreach, and Accessible Communication Services that assist people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing achieve full communication accessibility.

About the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) was established in 1982 and is Canada’s leading consumer advocacy organization representing the needs of the nearly 4-million people living with hearing loss. With a network across Canada, CHHA works cooperatively with hearing loss professionals, service providers, government and provides life-enhancing information, support, and advocacy to ensure people with hearing loss are able to overcome barriers in all aspects of their lives.

 Media Contacts: For interviews or additional information

 Yat Li, Head of Communications & Marketing Wavefront Centre for Communication

Accessibility 604.736.7391

E-mail: yat.li@wavefrontcentre.ca

Gordana Mosher Manager, Accessibility Projects & Communications

Canadian Hard of Hearing Association

613.526.1584 ext.103 Mobile 905-572-3923

E-mail: gmosher@chha.ca

Hello all!

We’re writing to our networks to ask for your input! Students For Consent Consent Culture (SFCC( is participating in the late stages of consultation for the National Action Plan to Address Gender Based Violence, under the Department of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) of the Federal Government.

SFCC recognises that women, girls and non-binary people with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing gender-based and other forms of violence.  To ensure that the experiences of students living with disabilities are reflected in the National Action Plan on gender-based violence we are holding this consultation to specifically centre the voices of students living with disabilities. As such, we are collaborating with the Disabled Women’s Network Canada (DAWN) and The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) to facilitate a public consultation, March 29th, 10am PST / 11am MST / 12pm CST / 1pm EST / 2pm AST / 2:30pm NST for students living with disabilities.

Registration for the event and the Zoom link can be found here: https://forms.gle/kxjKB1vnxHZVH1dp9

The focus of this consultation will be on the federal government’s proposed National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence. Come share with SFCC, DAWN and NEADS as we create recommendations for Canada’s National Action Plan to address gender-based violence! Join us on Monday, March 29th at 1pm EST / 10am PST for a public consultation session for students living with disabilities. The Zoom event will include live closed captioning and ASL interpretation. We know that conversations around gender based violence can be difficult and for this reason there will be someone acting as a support-person in a breakout room if you find yourself wanting emotional support. Please feel free to contact us about other accessibility needs at consultation@sfcccanada.org.

We are offering an honorarium of $50.00 to everyone who participates in the public consultation.

Feel free to contact us at consultation@sfcccanada.org if:

You’d like to participate in other ways, such as writing your thoughts or completing a survey.

About other accessibility needs.

Additionally, due to our short timeline, this event will be hosted in English. Please let us know via email if you would like to participate in French.

 Warmth & solidarity,

The SFCC Team

https://www.neads.ca/en/about/media/index.php?id=1101

Join us for Conversations with Usask!

Spiritual Support During Difficult Times

Spirituality is different for everyone. For many, spirituality takes the form of religious ceremony, prayer, meditation or a belief in a higher power. For others, it can be found in nature, music, art or a community. Join our conversation as we talk about what spirituality means to us and how our spirituality can help us through difficult times?

Special guests:

Dr. Nawal Sharma, Hindu Faith Leader

Dr. Fatima Coovadia, Sunni Muslim Faith Leader

George Hind, Lutheran Faith Leader

Joseph Naytowhow, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper

Thursday, March 25^th

12pm to 1pm (CST)

WebEx link: https://usask.webex.com/usask/j.php?MTID=me74c3dbb8a8588727f44cac6c1765376

Meeting Number: 145 931 8003

The deadline for applications for the 2021 academic year must be submitted by April 30, 2021.  Late or incomplete applications will not be considered nor will applications be accepted by mail, e-mail or fax.

The following scholarships have been established to assist students with hearing loss:

Carrell Hearn Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

This scholarship is being offered by the North Shore Branch in memory of Carrell Hearn a resident of West Vancouver, BC who passed away in 2014 at the age of 105. Carrell was a long-time member and generous supporter of the CHHA-North Shore as well as a number of other local North Shore charities.

Dr. Charles A. Laszlo Scholarship ($1,000)

The Dr. Charles A. Laszlo Scholarship requires that the applicant be enrolled in the second or higher year of study in the area of Science and Technology and Trades. In addition, the applicant must also display an interest in supporting activities to improve the lives of those who have hearing loss following the example of Dr. Laszlo’s commitment and work on behalf of the hard of hearing community.

Frank Algar Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

The Frank Algar Scholarship does not focus on any field of study; however, the advocacy level of the applicant is taken into account. The Algar family wishes to continue to support the work of their father who was a strong advocate of for hard of hearing people and people with disabilities.

Susan Brown Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

The Susan Brown Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a deserving student in memory of Susan Brown, Chairperson of the CHHA-NL Families Resource Group who passed away in 2017. This scholarship is sponsored annually by the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association-Newfoundland and Labrador (CHHA-NL) and is offered to hard of hearing, late-deafened and oral deaf students entering their first-year, full time program at a recognized Canadian college or university in any area of study, with the ultimate goal of obtaining a diploma, certificate or degree.

For more information about CHHA’s scholarships, eligibility requirements or to apply, please visit our website: https://www.chha.ca/get-involved/scholarships/

It’s time to starting thinking about filing your 2020 income tax return. For more information about filing your taxes, please visit the Government of Canada website at this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/tax-packages-years/general-income-tax-benefit-package.html

All students — including those with a disability — need to include a T2202. The University of Saskatchewan website states that:

The T2202 reports the actual part-time or full-time enrolment status for all students, including those students with a disability. If you are eligible for the disability tax credit or had, in the year, a mental or physical impairment and a doctor has certified that you cannot reasonably be expected to be enrolled as a full-time student because of the effects of this impairment you would note this on schedule 11 of your T1 tax return. This informs CRA that you may be considered full-time for other provisions within the Income Tax Act and various provincial and territorial programs.

The University does not mail out T2202s. You can download your T2202 at this link: https://students.usask.ca/money/taxes.php#TaxReceipts

Please note that neither the University nor Access and Equity Services can provide tax advice. If you have questions, please contact a tax professional or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).