Deaf immigrant finds Winnipeg
filled with opportunity
By: Jessica Botelho-Urbanski
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Tuan Huynh, a deaf immigrant from Vietnam who has been helped by an interpreter from REES, a United Way service
which helped him in learning American Sign Language and employment services. Purchase Photo Print
Tuan Huynh has accomplished more in Canada than he could have dreamed of doing in
Vietnam.
The 33-year-old man is mostly deaf, but can hear a little bit with help from his hearing aid.
When he moved to Winnipeg in 2011 with his mom and dad, he was shocked by all of the
supports he discovered for deaf people.
Speaking with the help of an interpreter, Usha Speer, Huynh said he was "very, very
appreciative."
"I didn't even know of any disability services in Vietnam, but when we moved here, we found
out, yes, there are services here," he said.
Huynh said trying to find a job was next to impossible in Vietnam.
"There was stigmatization toward people with disabilities... What happens is they'll say, 'Sorry,
there's a safety issue. You're deaf. Communication is difficult,' " he said.
In Winnipeg, Huynh integrated with the deaf community, learning English and American Sign
Language at the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities.
A deaf friend he met at the society recommended he meet Speer, an employment counsellor at
Reaching E-Quality Employment Services. Since 1989, the organization has specialized in
helping people with disabilities find jobs.
"When they come to me, I find out what's their passion, first of all. What are the skills that they
have? And then I match them with the right employer," Speer said. "Not all employers are
receptive to hiring the deaf... I try to find a friendly environment and managers who are more
open-minded to try different ways of communicating, not just verbal."
Sure enough, Speer found Huynh a spot working as a courtesy clerk at Safeway -- his very first
job.
Armed with a notepad, a pen and a name tag stating he's deaf, Huynh said he hasn't had any
communication issues arise, and his co-workers and customers are very friendly.
Speer also immigrated to Canada from Malaysia 26 years ago. She said she especially enjoys
helping new immigrants transition into the workforce because she knows the struggle first-hand.
"What I like about new immigrants is they're so thankful. Tuan and his mom, look what they
gave me. Isn't that nice?" she said, showing off a hand-woven portrait of a Vietnamese woman
and a water buffalo.
Hyunh said he and his family never thought he would be able to get a job, let alone have such a
well-rounded life in Canada.
Hyunh is able to drive in Winnipeg, whereas in Vietnam, deaf people aren't allowed to get a
licence. He relishes being able to drive his mom to Lucky Supermarket on weekends. He eats
out at restaurants regularly and plays darts with his deaf friends. "I would really like to save up. I
would like to buy my own car. Maybe get married, have a family," Hyunh said.
"That would be really nice. I will help you find the perfect girl," Speer chimed in.
The organization that helped Huynh operates thanks to core Funding from United Way
Winnipeg. If you would like to help, donate to United Way online at unitedwaywinnipeg.ca or by
calling 204-477-UWAY (8929).
j.botelho.urbanski@gmail.com
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 12, 2015 B4