- MOBLIE HUB.jpg)
June has been proclaimed Deafblind Awareness Month in Saskatchewan, recognizing individuals in the Deafblind community and the organizations that support them.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to recognize Deafblind Awareness Month, and we value the important work of CNIB Deafblind Community Services,” Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said in a news release. “We look forward to continuing to build strong, inclusive communities for persons with disabilities alongside our disability services community partners.”
The month raises awareness about the unique experiences and contributions of individuals who are Deafblind, while highlighting the importance of accessible programs, services and supports that promote inclusion and independence.
CNIB Deafblind Community Services provides specialized support and advocacy for individuals with combined vision and hearing loss. Across Canada, the organization offers intervenor services, life-skills training and advocacy to help individuals overcome barriers, build independence and enhance their quality of life.
In Saskatchewan, the organization has marked the month with school presentations and client events.
“We were able to get out to schools and do 25 classroom presentations to bring awareness to deafblindness,” said Dallas Lynch, manager of client services for CNIB Deafblind Community Services in Saskatchewan. “We talked about the community, our services and the importance of inclusion for individuals living with dual sensory loss.”
A client celebration was also held in Saskatoon earlier this month, featuring games, conversation and a pizza lunch.
Lynch said the core of their work remains intervenor services. These support workers assist Deafblind individuals with daily communication and accessing information.
“It’s a very important service,” he said. “It allows access to communication, news and justice, and really helps people maintain their independence as much as possible.”
While staff are based in Regina and Saskatoon, services are available throughout the province, including in rural communities like Weyburn and Estevan. The CNIB Mobile Hub, a separate outreach program, also travels to communities across Saskatchewan, and CNIB Deafblind Community Services often tags along to raise awareness and connect with residents.
Despite growth, challenges remain.
“Isolation, access to information and access to community. Those are some of the biggest challenges Deafblind individuals face,” Lynch said. “We hope people take away from this month that there are Deafblind Canadians across the country, and that it’s their right to have these services available.”
He added that improving accessibility in communities, through features like tactile crosswalk buttons and accessible transit, starts with local partnerships and awareness.
On Dec. 3, 2024, the Government of Saskatchewan released its first accessibility plan under The Accessible Saskatchewan Act. The plan aims to improve the accessibility of government services over the next three years.
The government says it will provide leadership on accessibility and inclusion, improve knowledge and awareness to support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and enhance the accessibility of digital content, provincial parks and government buildings.