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Celebrating Deaf Communities Marlee Matlin on the Power of Deaf Representation Marlee Matlin, American actress, author, and advocate, reﬂects on Deaf representation, authentic storytelling and what meaningful inclusion can look like for future generations. What has been the most meaningful impact of using your platform to advocate for Deaf representation and accessibility? The most meaningful part has been seeing what's possible when Deaf people are finally given the opportunity to be seen, heard, and valued. If my career has helped open one door for another Deaf actor, inspired a young Deaf child to dream bigger, or encouraged a company, a school, or a filmmaker to think more inclusively, then that's what I'm most proud of. As I've often said, representation isn't about checking a box; it's about changing expectations so that accessibility and inclusion are the norm, not the exception.

What does authentic Deaf storytelling look like to you, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes? Authentic Deaf storytelling begins with including Deaf people at every stage of the process — in the writers' room, on set, behind the camera, and in the decision-making. It means portraying us as complete human beings with ambitions and rich lives. When Deaf creators Read the entire have a seat at the table, the performances are richer, and the interview online at stories become more authentic — just like our award-winning healthinsight.ca film, CODA; which, by the way was not just for Deaf audiences, but for everyone.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Daniel Durant The actor discusses authentic representation, communication, and why greater access can help Deaf performers focus fully on their craft.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

A Critical Resource for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Newcomers to Canada

How Accessible, Deaf-Led Services Are Making a Difference Across Canada

Awareness of Options to Protect Hearing Health Is Important for Adults Changes in hearing can aﬀect your everyday life. Be proactive about your hearing health through regular checks.

Angela Weaver Audiologist & Training and Compliance Manager, Costco

s they go about their busy lives, many adults may be unaware of changes in their hearing. “Because hearing loss is often very gradual, people may not notice it or unknowingly compensate through things like focusing harder on conversations,” says Angela Weaver, an audiologist and training and compliance manager at Costco. However, the extra effort of trying to understand other people can add to a person’s cognitive load and affect other areas of their lives. “They may feel more mentally tired or withdraw from social situations,” she says.

The broad impacts of hearing loss

Matt Friesen, Clinical Audiologist & Manager, Hearing Aid Centre, Costco

Hearing problems can affect more than the ability to hear sounds. “There’s a lot of research showing that unaided hearing loss can lead to social isolation, depression, and anxiety,” says Matt Friesen, a clinical audiologist and manager of the Costco Hearing Aid Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont. Additionally, a 2024 report published in The Lancet notes an association between hearing loss and dementia. “People with hearing loss are also at higher risk of accidents because they aren’t hearing certain environmental sounds like sirens or alarms that can cue them to some kind of danger,” adds Friesen. The impacts of hearing loss vary from person to person and can depend on lifestyle. “For a 60-year-old who is still in the workforce, leading an active

Find a participating Costco Hearing Aid Centre near you and book your hearing check.

PHOTO CREDIT: JAX WARNER

life, and needs to hear on the job, the impacts are significant,” says Friesen.

Hearing aids — stigma and misconceptions

There’s Why are some adults a lot of research hesitant to acknowledge hearing changes, have showing that unaided their hearing checked, hearing loss can lead or consider hearing aids? to social isolation, Common misperceptions depression, and are that hearing aids will anxiety. stand out or make them look older or less cognitively sharp. But as Friesen notes, “Modern hearing aids are essentially hidden, and unaided hearing loss is far more noticeable than a hearing aid.” Another misperception is that hearing aids are hard to adjust to. “They do require some care, maintenance, and adaptation time, but they offer huge upside potential,” says Friesen. Weaver adds, “When clients finally act on it and realize the positive impact, they often wish they had done it sooner.” Because hearing is important to overall health, it pays to be proactive through regular hearing checks. Costco Wholesale operates Hearing Aid Centres in most locations across Canada (except Quebec). These centres offer free initial screenings to Costco members, as well as comprehensive hearing assessments and access to hearing care and hearing aids.

SIGNS YOUR HEARING MAY BE CHANGING

Written by Anne Papmehl

This article is sponsored by Costco Wholesale.

1. 2. 3.

Frequently asking others to repeat themselves

Increasing the volume on the TV, phone, or other devices

Trouble following conversations, especially in groups or noisy environments

A sense that others are not speaking clearly

Publisher: Jaihan Devji Business Development Manager: Emily Green Country Manager: Samantha Taylor Content & Client Success Manager: Nicole Kansakar Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw Digital Traﬃc Manager: Vansh Chandwaney All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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Building a More Accessible Toronto Pearson Toronto Pearson’s services and programs help Deaf and hard-of-hearing travellers, plus passengers with other disabilities, navigate the airport more comfortably.

ravelling can be stressful for anyone, from making sure you arrive at the airport on time and navigating security to finding your gate before boarding begins. For people who are Deaf or hardof-hearing, as well as other passengers with disabilities, airports can present additional barriers. These can include difficulty accessing information that’s delivered primarily through spoken announcements (such as gate changes and delays), communication barriers with Toronto Pearson airport staff, chalhas taken great lenges navigating strides to ensure that unfamiliar spaces, accessibility is built and difficulty into the airport accessing emergency experience. information. Sensory factors can create additional barriers, intensified by airports’ crowds, bright lighting, noise, and constant activity, especially for neurodivergent travellers. Accessibility goes beyond physical mobility. It also includes communication, information access, navigation, sensory needs, safety, and familiarity with the airport environment. Toronto Pearson has taken great strides to ensure that accessibility is built into the airport experience.

Over the past few years, it has worked with accessibility organizations and members of the disability community to identify barriers and improve the passenger journey. Its expanding array of services has made the airport more comfortable, accessible, and easier to navigate for both Deaf and hard-ofhearing passengers and travellers with other disabilities.

Supporting the Deaf community There are a number of practical supports available at Toronto Pearson to make the airport experience more accessible for Deaf and hard-of-hearing travellers. The airport is currently piloting Aira ASL, a free app that delivers on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. Passengers who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing can download the app, register, and then connect via a live video call to a trained ASL interpreter who can help passengers to communicate and navigate the airport with greater ease. The airport also partners with a translation service called LanguageLine, with interpreters who can be accessed 24/7 via phones or tablets at information desks throughout the airport. LanguageLine offers live video interpretation for travellers who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing in either ASL or British Sign Language (BSL). It

Accessibility Supports for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Travellers

AIRA ASL

(PILOT PROGRAM)

• This app delivers on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation • It’s free to use at Toronto Pearson • Download the app, register, and then tap “Connect with an Interpreter” to start a video call with a live ASL interpreter

also provides translation into many other languages, including French, for those who are more comfortable communicating in a different language. In addition to these communication supports, Toronto Pearson partners with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (LFCDG), WestJet, and Air Canada to provide real-world airport and aircraft training for future service dogs. These sessions help dogs that support people with disabilities, including those who are Deaf or hardof-hearing, gain exposure to airport cues so their future handlers can travel with greater confidence and independence.

Facilitating communication Alongside its translation and interpretation services, Toronto Pearson has several other offerings in place to reduce barriers for travellers who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Explore some of the key services and amenities at Toronto Pearson that make the airport more comfortable, accessible, and easy to navigate for Deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers.

LANGUAGELINE

HEARING LOOPS

• Access interpreters 24/7 via phones or tablets at information desks throughout Toronto Pearson • Get live video interpretation in either ASL or British Sign Language (BSL)

• Hearing loops help people with hearing aids or cochlear implants hear speech more clearly by reducing background noise • Find hearing loops at many locations throughout the airport, including information desks and check-in counters • Switch your hearing aid or cochlear implant to the “T” or telecoil setting to use them

MOBILE FLIGHT NOTIFICATIONS • Concerned you won’t hear a flight announcement? Sign up for mobile flight notifications • Simply find your flight’s page, click “Receive notifications,” choose “SMS” or “E-mail,” and then enter your mobile number

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Hearing loops, which help people with hearing aids or cochlear implants hear speech more clearly by reducing background noise, are available at many locations throughout the airport, including information desks and check-in counters. Passengers have the option to sign up for mobile ﬂight notifications, reducing the stress of missing important announcements. Visual fi re alarm signals have also been installed at the airport for safety, again reducing passengers’ reliance on auditory announcements. Toronto Pearson has also hosted ASL-interpreted YYZ Live concert performances. The airpor t par tnered with Canadian Hearing Services, with the organization assisting with the development of ASL and Langue des signes québécoise (Quebec Sign Language, or LSQ) greeting videos at the airport’s information kiosks and participating in the Toronto Pearson Accessibility Advisory Council.

Support for non-visible disabilities Deafness and hearing loss are often non-visible, meaning they may not be immediately apparent to others. Toronto Pearson provides support for Deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers, along with travellers with other non-visible disabilities, through various programs and services, including its sunflower lanyard and MagnusCards. Anyone with a non-visible disability can pick up a sunflower lanyard at the airport, discreetly signalling to airport staff that they may need a bit of extra help or time while travelling. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally recognized program that originated in the U.K., and Toronto Pearson was the first airport in Canada to adopt it. MagnusCards is a free bilingual app that provides simple, stepby-step instructions to help users navigate the airport. While it was designed with neurodiverse people in mind, it can be a helpful tool for

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A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET A PLACE FOR ALL YOUR TOMORROWS… TODAY PHOTO COURTESY OF CCSD

Lighthouse for a New Era of Deaf Arts and Culture This Canadian nonproﬁt highlights the beauty of Deaf art, providing a Deaf space designed to inspire the next generation of Deaf talent.

or centuries, art has played a pivotal role in connecting communities, sharing history and telling stories. It’s a language all its own, transcending natural barriers and bringing people together from all walks of life. For the Deaf community, art represents a critical form of expression, connection and cultural memory. The Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD) was founded by Nova Scotia native Forrest Nickerson in 1970 and has since become an integral part of Canada’s Deaf community, elevating and celebrating Deaf contributions by nurturing and promoting Deaf culture and artistic talent. “Art carries our history, humour, struggles and pride, while creating space for stories that have often been overlooked or told by others,” says Leanne Gallant, the National Executive Director for CCSD.

TO HO

: DIT

M YA

GALLA

A space for storytelling In 2006, CCSD opened the DEAF CULTURE CENTRE in Toronto’s Distillery District, providing a public forum for the Deaf community and hearing Canadians to experience the beauty of Deaf art in-person. Now, set against the backdrop of Canada’s east coast along the Atlantic Ocean and Forrest Nickerson’s hometown, sits the CCSD Deaf Culture Retreat Centre (DCRC), home to the organization’s Deaf Arts Academy (DAA) training program. Opened in 2024, the Centre spans four-acres on the coast of Grand-Digue, New Brunswick and through the DAA, offers a new way for the next generation of Deaf artists to come together, achieve high levels of excellence in their unique heritage art forms and to showcase their talents. “Deaf artists can face communication barriers, limited interpreting services and a lack of understanding of Deaf culture in mainstream arts settings,” explains Gallant, “Our Centre creates opportunities for people to learn from one another, collaborate and experience Deaf art and culture.”

Shining a light on Deaf talent There is no single Deaf artistic style, but there are forms of Deaf art that have emerged over the years. Deaf View Image Art (De’VIA) is an artistic movement that explores Deaf experience through visual elements including strong contrasting colours and exaggerated features. Based at the DCRC, the national Deaf Arts Academy offers professional training

Our Centre creates opportunities for people to learn from one another, collaborate and experience Deaf art and culture.

in unique art forms like De’VIA, Signed Music and Deaf Theatre, also offering mentorship opportunities and professional advancement. Through its work at the Centre, CCSD hopes to introduce a new era in Deaf art, not just recognizing these forms of expression as an essential part of cultural life, but a space that enables the community’s artistic talents to continue to ﬂourish. The DCRC represents the combined efforts of CCSD team leaders and members and the Academy was made possible with the support of Canadian Heritage through their Canada Arts Training Fund. Deaf art is not only for the Deaf community, and the DCRC offers the space for hearing Canadians, potential partners and donors to also experience the unique nature of Deaf art in this beautiful natural setting. As Gallant states, “We envision DCRC as a lighthouse for Deaf arts and culture, a welcoming place that shines a light on Deaf talent and empowers future generations to envision what is possible.”

Leanne Gallant National Executive Director, Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf

Written by Sonya Friesen

To learn more visit, deafculturecentre.ca or scan the QR code to see the DCRC booklet. This article is sponsored by Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf.

FROM THE NHL TO ADVOCACY:

Jim Kyte on Inclusion The former NHL player shares how adaptation, perseverance, and self-advocacy shaped his career and continue to guide his accessibility work.

BOB RUMBALL :

What would you like younger Deaf athletes, students, or professionals to take away from your story and the path you have built? For athletes: if you

The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf provides critical support to deaf communities through all phases of their lives.

think you can, or you think you can't — you are right. You need the right positive mindset to achieve any goal. Perseverance and failure cannot co-exist. Failure happens when you decide to quit.

Students (and parents): use the tools available to you. If you think the system will take care of you, you are sadly mistaken. Study the rules and advocate for your child. You won't receive anything unless you ask for it. If you are in postsecondary, absolutely register with the center for accessible learning at your institution. Self-advocate for accommodations as they exist to help you succeed.

Employers: tap into the vast pool of human resources available in the disability community. Give someone an opportunity to shine.

Providing Opportunities for Deaf in Communication-Rich Environment

A Asking for accommodations is a necessary step to ensure equal participation, not an unfair imposition on others.

s a deaf person, navigating a world where most people don’t know sign language can be challenging. Many rely on organizations that provide services and support for the Deaf. For over 50 years, the Bob Rumball Centre of Excellence for the Deaf (BRCCED) has provided a place and services for Deaf people across Ontario, in an accessible, communication-rich environment. Mediaplanet recently spoke with BRCCED’s President, Derek Rumball, and CEO, Monte Hardy, to learn more.

Derek Rumball President, The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf

Who is BRCCED? DR: We are an organization that provides an accessible Professionals: self-advocate for accommodations in the workplace. Asking for accommodations is a necessary step to ensure equal participation, not an unfair imposition on others. Your organization will have a healthier, happier, and contributing employee. Never, ever feel you are imposing on anyone. Don't have a clear line of sight to the speaker at a meeting? Get up and move. Don't be shy.

Read the entire interview with Jim online at healthinsight.ca.

place, opportunities, and services to the Deaf community. Our vision is to respect and preserve the language, culture, and heritage of the Deaf community.

Who are the people that work at BRCCED? MH: I describe them as people with big hearts because of their compassion and sensitivity to the needs of deaf people. Over half our staff are deaf and the rest can sign in both American Sign Language (ASL) and Quebec Sign Language (LSQ).

What does BRCCED do and what is its impact? DR: Whether it’s housing, education, or senior care, we provide diverse supports and services, from infancy through to end of life. We learn of our impact when people come up to thank us for the difference we made in their lives.

Why does this work remain so important? MH: BRCCED fills a critical service gap by providing the right services that Deaf people need at the right time. Learn more about BRCCED and explore opportunities to donate, partner, and support.

Monte Hardy CEO, The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf

To learn more, visit bobrumball.org. This article was sponsored by the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf.