DeafBlind Canadians and Canada VRS [CC]

ENGLISH TRANSCRIPT:

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[Title in white text on a black background with a white CAV logo at the top right corner and copyright at the left.]

“DeafBlind Canadians and Canada VRS”

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[A white female in a black shirt and blazer smiles and signs in ASL/LSQ, facing the camera.]

Hello!

[name/title swipes in]

I’m Paula Bath, the Director of Regulatory Compliance and Strategy with CAV.

[name/title swipes out]

I am thrilled to share some updates in honour of DeafBlind Awareness Month. Recently, CAV wrapped up a project aimed at gaining deeper insights into the needs of DeafBlind individuals and Canada VRS. I’ve reached out to Eversa (formerly known as CB Linguistic Services) and Touch Seeds for a concise summary of the project and its outcomes.

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[a white woman with long brunette hair wearing a black top stands next to a white man with short brown hair and a short beard wearing a grey shirt, their hands touching as they sign and smile at the camera.]

[Hayley waves and pats Robert’s body and arm]

Remember us? I’m [name sign] Hayley. And this is…

[Robert signs]

I’m Robert [name sign].

[Hayley nods and taps Robert, then faces the camera and signs]

Robert and I are with Touch Seeds. We started conducting the survey study last winter in partnership with SLCB (now Eversa), who has been an amazing team to work with. [Robert nods in agreement] Together, we analyzed the study on DeafBlind VRS users across Canada and compiled our findings into a comprehensive report for CAV, which will be published soon. [Hayley taps Robert’s chest with a smile]

[Robert nods and taps Hayley’s arms with a smile]

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[Robert signs with Hayley’s hands on his]

Our report for CAV is dense with information, but we will share three main points with you:

1. We recommend that CAV provide sensitive training with Video Interpreters on how to better understand and work with different types of DeafBlind callers. When working with a DeafBlind caller, the VI will be more sensitive and have strategies in place. They’ll know what to do and adjust to fit each person’s needs.

2. We recommend CAV continue their commitment to inclusion and accessibility by becoming more involved in the DeafBlind community and integrating them into the Canada VRS ecosystem. This way, CAV can continue to learn from them and enhance DeafBlind representation in various levels of projects, from large to small, ensuring their involvement in decision-making processes. [Hayley and Robert nod and tap each other in agreement]

3. The third and most crucial point in our study: Hayley and I are well aware that the DeafBlind identity is constantly evolving, which can be surprising at times. Once we learn an accommodation, we keep finding new ways and learning them over and over again. From braille to tactile sign language to the daily life of a DeafBlind individual at home, all of these are taken into account for the enhanced design of the VRS app. We’ve recommended CAV consider these aspects to ensure the DeafBlind way of life is included. Also, the app needs to allow for future evolution throughout its phases for a better-lived experience.

[Hayley nods and taps Robert, then faces the camera and signs]

Robert and I wish to thank the Canadian DeafBlind community for allowing us to collect data from them and CAV for enabling this important study to happen.

[Robert takes his turn and signs]

Thank you all, including CAV, for your support. This is very exciting! [hands wave]

[Robert and Hayley tap each other’s chest with smile] 

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[White CAV logo and URL appear in the centre of a black background]

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