Deafblind Services in British Columbia
CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS) is at a critical juncture in British Columbia. Without sustainable funding, the life-saving services we provide to people who are Deafblind may cease. The time to act is now. By signing our letter-writing campaign, you can urge the Government of British Columbia to continue funding essential Deafblind services, ensuring that individuals who are Deafblind have access to the support they need to live safe, independent, and fulfilling lives.
Add Your Voice: Support Deafblind Services in BC
Complete the form to send a letter to your local representative and let them know why continued funding for Deafblind services is critical. Together, we can make sure that no British Columbian who is Deafblind is left without the help they need.
What's at Risk?
CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS) has been providing intervenor services in British Columbia since 2022. With the provincial election underway, we’re advocating for sustainable funding to ensure all British Columbians who are Deafblind have access to the life-changing services they need to thrive.
We need your support to ensure that the Government of British Columbia commits to sustainable funding and expands access to these essential services.
![An intervenor and client sit beside each other on a bench, using two-hand manual communication to have a conversation.]](/sites/default/files/2023-04/_M0A5618-min.jpg)
What is Deafblindness?
Deafblindness is a distinct disability, combining a loss of hearing and vision to such an extent that communication, mobility, and access to information become extremely challenging. The support of a trained intervenor is often the difference between safety and isolation for individuals who are Deafblind.
What are Intervenors?
Intervenors are trained professionals who act as the eyes and ears for people who are Deafblind, providing communication, navigation, and access to information. These services are life-saving and life-changing, allowing clients to live independently, communicate with loved ones, and stay engaged with their communities.
What You Can Do
Here are a few ways you can help:
1. Sign the Letter
Take two minutes to sign the letter and send it to your local representative. Your voice is essential in ensuring sustainable funding.
2. Share This Campaign
Spread the word on social media or email this page to friends and family. The more people who take action, the stronger our message becomes. Copy and paste this messaging and share it on your social media to help amplify our message:
Did you know people who are Deafblind in BC rely on specialized services to communicate and navigate daily life? I just signed a letter to show my support to help ensure that people can access these life-saving services — will you join me in taking action? Visit deafblindservices.ca/BritishColumbia
DBCS has had such a positive impact on my life. My communication, mobility, and learning have increased immensely. The biggest benefit is the increase in my self-esteem and knowing that I can still do things with help from an intervenor.
Media at a Glance: Dive Deeper
The Lifeline We Can’t Afford to Lose
During the pandemic, many of us got a small taste of what it feels like to be cut off from the world around us. We experienced the loneliness, anxiety, and fear that comes from being unable to see friends, hear the chatter of a busy street, or feel the presence of community. It was a time of deep uncertainty, and it took a toll on our mental health.
DBCS Calls on Government to Renew Funding
Vancouver, BC – September 23, 2024 — Today, on World Sign Languages Day, CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS) is urgently calling on the Government of British Columbia to renew its funding for critical services that support individuals who are Deafblind across the province.
Letters to Party Leaders
Currently, DBCS is at a critical juncture in British Columbia. DBCS received a two-year grant from the Department of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to establish a core service offering in the province. We have not received a commitment to renewed funding, meaning we face the serious and heartbreaking reality of informing our clients that our life-saving interventions will cease in the immediate future.