BC Hands & Voices White Paper Submission
March 9th, 2014
BC Hands & Voices represents families with young children (birth to 5 years) who
are deaf or hard of hearing. This is a diverse population – for example, the needs of a
signing, profoundly deaf child with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder are
very different from a child with mild-to-moderate high frequency hearing loss. A
child born prematurely with extensive medical needs, including hearing loss, may
differ greatly from a child with unilateral hearing loss. While we emphasize the need
for OPTIONS and FLEXIBILITY for families in this broad group (in terms of early
intervention, education, and support), we also recognize that our families face many
common barriers:
Financial
 The federal Disability Tax Credit does not serve children and families equitably. The
criteria exclude many families, even though a child may encounter communication
barriers due to hearing loss. These families are expected to pay ongoing costs for
hearing equipment, such as, hearing aids, cochlear implants, FM systems, alerting
devices. In addition, they shoulder other everyday, incremental costs, such as a
parent working less to support the needs of the child, and costs associated with
attending appointments.
 Inadequate provincial funding for hearing equipment. The British Columbia
government provides one of the country’s worst hearing aid subsidies*, covering
only the first set of hearing equipment for a child. Parents are left to bear the cost of
replacement or upgrades to equipment every few years. This can quickly run into
many thousands of dollars.
 Inadequate funding for early intervention service providers. These support agencies
should not need to fundraise to provide basic intervention services for families.
Education
 Lack of legislation to enforce children’s rights to an individualized appropriate
education. The Ministry of Education needs to construct a Learning Framework
specifically tailored for children with Special Needs. This must recognize that every
child is capable, and address the varying needs and learning capabilities of each
unique child.
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Insufficient options for parents when transitioning their children into school. For
example, the BC Provincial School for the Deaf does not accommodate all deaf
and hard of hearing children, there is no provincial elementary school oral
program, and the few existing District programs for deaf and hard of hearing
children have restrictions and limitations. This forces some families into the
mainstream without other options.
Poor acoustics in preschool and school classrooms create poor listening and
learning environments for all children, but especially those who are deaf or hard
of hearing.
Shortage of professionals to support deaf and hard of hearing children. Unqualified
professionals are sometimes hired to fill these positions (e.g. Educational Assistants,
Educational Interpreters, and Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing).
Lack of consistency and a standard level of support and services across BC. This
includes interpreter services and hearing resource teachers. (e.g. itinerant Teachers
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing are not required to have sign language competency
and there is no centralized supervision system for those working with deaf and hard
of hearing students in schools).
Access
 Limited access to American Sign Language interpreters for extracurricular activities
for children who use sign language.
 No access to Educational Audiologists in all but one District.
 Limited access to assistive listening devices (e.g. FM systems) in the preschool
years. Even when they are provided for school age children, there is limited
access outside of school hours.
 Inconsistent access to deaf and hard of hearing adult role models.
Public Awareness
 Lack of public awareness about deafness, hearing loss, hearing equipment, and
accommodations for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. In particular, the false
assumption that early identification and intervention, and/or use of assistive hearing
devices results in “normal” hearing for a child.
We ask the provincial government to take these concerns seriously. Services and
supports for families of young children who are deaf and hard of hearing are an
investment in the future. Children who are well supported in their early years are
more likely to become successful, financially independent adults who contribute to
our community and economy. Given the diversity of this population of children, it is
critical to provide options and flexibility in terms of services and educational
opportunities. By doing so, we will allow our children every opportunity to achieve
their full potential. Thank you for taking the time to read our submission.
Teresa Kazemir
President, BC Hands & Voices