WEBVTT

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Hello! This is DeafDots, 
25 April 2025. 

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Bringing alerts & news reports at
 intervals for all Deaf Canadians. 

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Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and follow 
DeafDots to get new video updates! 

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The current standard is 80% of all calls to 
VRS must be answered within 2 minutes. 

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Deaf users must have 2 phone numbers - 1 for CAV, 
and another one for their personal mobile.

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VRS... I can't see the person 
I am communicating with. 

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Deaf people use facial expressions and 
understand more by seeing the person.

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Would that be an improvement, 
I do not know as I haven't tried or 

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tested it myself so it’s hard 
but I'd rather see for myself 

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but it appears web-based service 
may be a better choice for Canada.

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Any specific features that I like... 
right now, what Canada VRS has 

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to offer are very simple, basic. 
No additional features except 

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to call out and receive calls and 
video messages similar to voicemail.

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... size of the mobile video and turning it 
upwards or sides of video are cropped. 

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It looks ok vertical but when I turn it 
horizontal, I am unable to show full screen. 

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Cutting off makes a smaller square 
that is difficult with the interpreter 

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within the frame and it is awkward 
to look at the small size video.

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Hard for me to see
 the interpreter signing. 

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I myself have a separate machine 

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where I read braille, 
the information could be typed 

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where I could read with 
my hands and then respond. 

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[ANSELMO]: On February 21, 
the Canadian Radio-television and 

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Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), 
a federal agency in charge 

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of regulating broadcasting and
 telecommunications released its report 

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on “Review of Video Relay Service”. 

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Through the review, the Commission 
has built a robust public record that 

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includes comments from a variety 
of individuals and groups, 

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such as VRS users, the CAV, 
telecommunications service providers, 

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and organizations representing 
the Deaf and hard of hearing community, 

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including the Deafblind community. Today, 
the Commission confirms that VRS remains 

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a basic telecommunications service that
 must be made available in Canada.

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[ANSELMO]: By confirming that VRS remains 
a “basic telecommunications service”, 

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does it mean VRS does not need
 additional functionality? 

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The CRTC Commission says 
"The record of this review confirms 

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that VRS continues to allow its 
users to initiate and receive calls 

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in a way that is equivalent and 
comparable to basic telephone service."

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This is the Embrava visual signaler 
for VRS calls during your chats. 

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I will show you how it works. 
It needs to plug in USB to your Apple 

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or PC desktop and laptops. It cannot be 
used with tablets, iPad or mobile phones. 

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First you download the app

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[ANSELMO]: CAV announced a partnership 
with Embrava in February 2021. 

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The Commission noted many comments 
on the public record that there is no way 

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for VRS users to know that they have an incoming 
call when they use a computer for VRS. 

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This often leads to unanswered 
and missed incoming calls. 

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In CRTC’s February 21 report, 
they have updated the minimum 

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requirements of VRS to include a provision
 regarding incoming call notifications. 

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They ruled that "the Commission
 expects the CAV to 

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provide one Embrava Blynclight to each 
user, upon request, at no charge." 

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DeafDots has not been able to
 find out when this will happen.

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[ANSELMO]: The CRTC Commission declined
 to recognize video remote interpreting (VRI) 

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which is funded through the National 
Contribution Fund (NCF) which is funded 

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by telephone service providers. VRI is not considered 
a "telecommunications service". 

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They also declined to make VRS available 
to non-Deaf sign language users. 

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VRS calls cannot be recorded. 
CRTC also declined to eliminate transfers 

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between interpreters or set up an
 Ombudsman to handle complaints. 

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CRTC accepted Canada Video
 Relay Service's explanation 

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that call transfers are required due
 to video interpreter health 

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and safety considerations
 and to follow schedules.

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[ANSELMO]: The Commission noted
 that the average wait time measured 

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by the CAV does not include
 callers who abandon their calls. 

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Therefore, the average wait time 
metric may not fully reflect 

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the VRS user experience and 
the amount of time users actually spend 

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waiting for their call to be answered 
by a video interpreter.

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[ANSELMO]: In responding to public 
comments regarding the platform 

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that Canada VRS uses, CRTC is 
now requiring Canada VRS conduct 

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the RFI process which they have
 already started, and to file its findings 

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and conclusions within two years on whether
 there should be a competitive process 

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for a new platform vendor.

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Our goal is to create a 2024 budget
 that CAV would be able to allow 

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for more enhancements and high quality 
VRS services provided in Canada, 

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both ASL and LSQ in tandem 
with all requirements of the Commission. 

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At the same time we, CAV have
 set a goal to design a cost and 

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expenses structure that allows
 for success and reduces other 

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additional costs plus 
administrative costs. In that way, 

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VRS in Canada would be able
 to continue to operate and have

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huge impact on Deaf and hard of hearing 
users and their calling community.

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[ANSELMO]: Talking about the budget, 
the Commission says it is important 

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for the TSP - telephone service providers - 
who fund Canada VRS 

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to have predictable costs. For that reason CRTC
 will continue an annual funding cap. 

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They agreed to increase the annual funding 
cap from $30 million to $41 million, 

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as requested by CAV. These are some key
 points from the 44-page CRTC report. 

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CRTC seems to be satisfied with how 
VRS is currently managed.

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Microsoft is optimistic about AI 
and its potential to help bridge 

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the disability divide. 
To truly benefit everyone, 

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AI must be designed to
 be accessible and inclusive from the start.

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Best way to describe AI is that
 it combines computer science, 

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large sets of data or information 
and problem solving. 

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Currently most AI is used for automation. 

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It's calling a ground-breaking 
artificial intelligence device 

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to help you learn American 
Sign Language. Welcome to SIGNS. 

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The SIGNS AI platform uses 
an avatar and computer camera 

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to teach common words 
in American Sign Language or ASL.

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[ANSELMO]: On March 6, 2025 Accessibility 
Standards Canada (ASC) announced 

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a new draft standard for "Accessible and 
Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems." 

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They are seeking comments on ensuring AI 
systems are accessible and equitable 

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for all including disabled 
and Deaf people.

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Thank you for the opportunity to share 
Accessibility Standards Canada's 

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view toward AI and its challenges 
for the Deaf community. 

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AI technologies can present accessibility 
challenges for the Deaf community, 

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particularly when systems are
 audio-centric and designed primarily 

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around spoken or written language. 
Ensuring equitable access 

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to AI systems for the Deaf and 
Hard-of-Hearing communities 

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requires addressing potential gaps
 in how these technologies interpret, 

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process, and respond to 
diverse communication needs. 

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Accessibility Standards Canada’s 
AI standard presents an opportunity 

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to take a proactive approach, supporting 
AI design with accessibility at its core. 

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By setting clear accessibility requirements 
now, we can help shape AI systems 

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that prioritize fairness and inclusion, 
making them beneficial for everyone. 

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In August 2024, we published 
a technical guide that outlines 

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best practices for creating 
accessible AI systems. 

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It is available for free on our website. 
This guide serves as a valuable resource 

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for developers and organizations 
dedicated to building AI technologies 

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that are inclusive and effective
 for all users, including the Deaf 

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and Hard-of-Hearing communities. 
ASC also funds innovative research 

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that can further address the needs 
of and have a positive impact 

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on people with disabilities, including 
the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. 

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Through our Grants and Contributions 
(G&Cs) program, we support various 

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initiatives that focus on AI-related 
projects aimed at inclusivity.

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What is "artificial intelligence", AI? 
AI means automation. 

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Computer programs or machines 
are used to automate different tasks 

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that usually require human 
intelligence. By designing AI systems 

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to mimic human learning, reasoning, 
problem-solving, perception and 

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language understanding. Some
 examples of AI are: virtual assistants 

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like Siri, Alexa, and Google
 Assistant which can understand and 

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respond to commands. Self-Driving
 cars like Tesla and Waymor, 

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Recommend systems on Netflix, 
YouTube and Spotify that observe your 

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preferences and recommend movies, 
music, or food. AI also includes image 

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and facial recognition where computers 
can screen and identify people, 

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or language processing like 
ChatGPT or Google Translate. 

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AI is now used in healthcare 
to analyze medical data and 

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even do robotic surgery. Chatbots 
are used in online customer service 

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where robots respond or direct 
your questions. Also Smart Home Devices 

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and Fraud Detection. AI is also 
used in Gaming and Robotics. 

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The AI field is booming with more
 applications in different fields. 

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A video on ASL and AI tools
 from Gallaudet University 

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says AI uses data based 
on language models. 

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Language model, fine. But that language 
model must use data from people 

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who grew up using that language daily. 
Right now online everywhere 

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you see people who learn ASL, 
a lot of new ASL signers. 

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ASL class’s instructors ask
 them to post their homework. 

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Also a lot of interpreted 
news is posted all over. 

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AI people see these videos and 
use them for their purposes. 

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This shouldn't be happening. 
Really when designing AI, 

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you need to consider two points: 
the training data itself, 

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and the automation systems processing 
these data and how it makes decisions.

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Often, data sets used in AI development 
do not adequately represent people 

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with disabilities, leading to 
AI systems that do not work well 

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for this community. Inclusive data
 sets are crucial for creating 

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accessible products that effectively 
serve people with disabilities.

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[ANSELMO]: As AI relies on language models, 
should there be a requirement 

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to use native signers 
in development of AI?

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Designing with accessibility
 in mind leads to smarter, 

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more cost-effective solutions, 
products and technologies 

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that benefit everyone, 
including people with disabilities. 

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It prevents barriers, increases inclusivity, 
and creates an equitable 

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experience for all. Involving
 people with disabilities, 

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including native signers, in AI development
 from the start—and at every stage — 

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could contribute to designing more inclusive 
and accessible technologies. 

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Our draft standard on Accessible and 
Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems 

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is currently open for public review, and 
we are actively seeking diverse views, 

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comments, perspectives, and insights
 from all disability communities. 

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This inclusive process ensures that
 all feedback, including recommendations 

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such as involving native signers, 
can be submitted for consideration. 

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Our technical committee carefully 
reviews and considers each and 

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every comment to build an accessibility
 standards that reflect real needs 

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and experiences. We encourage
 all interested parties to participate 

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in this process and 
share their comments.

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DeafDots contacted one person 
who is starting an AI business.

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Yes, you're right. I wonder and have 
questions about accuracy of information. 

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Really it all comes down to ethics. 
How these companies get their datasets itself, 

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quality of signing. Some may
 not disclose. As for me, we will be open. 

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Our goal is not to teach AI signing. 
My area of focus is non-manual cues 

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and facial expressions, the ability
 to scan and capture what it means and 

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then it will process to teach 
the signs. Right now we are focused 

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on non-manual cues meaning upper 
body movements, head-facial movements 

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or looking sideways up or down... 
these are the kinds of nuances 

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that our technology would capture. 
I am now training it first. 

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As it is right now it doesn't know
 the signs. But it is absorbing 

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and noticing recurring patterns 
of signing which it records but 

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not yet understands. When will 
I be able to give it labels vocabulary 

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I have not yet decided, 
it will come later. 

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[ANSELMO]:  Accessible Canada's 
public standard draft does 

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not mention sign language. 
Is this a concern?

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The draft doesn't mention 
sign language, you're right, 

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it isn't mentioned. However 
we know that ASL and LSQ are languages - 

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LSQ being French, ASL being English. 
This is clearly acknowledged 

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by the Canadian government 
with laws protecting languages. 

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So that means in reference
 to language, we can argue that 

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it includes sign language. 
By including Disabled groups, 

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that means Deaf and 
hard of hearing are also included. 

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[ANSELMO]: Do you see any problem?

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I doubt it would be a problem 
but when it comes to building AI, 

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it needs to involve those 
who are professionals - maybe interpreters, 

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or interpreting researchers, 
Deaf instructors, ITP Deaf trainers, 

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it's important that they sign
 and teach and are experts 

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in the field of ASL should be
 included. I do include them here. 

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This is part of ensuring
 ethics and not making up. 

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Practices among some 
companies may be questionable. 

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I am concerned about that, yes
 but my focus is on building our technology, 

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knowing that being ethical is true. 
That gives me confidence 

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that when it comes out, 
it will satisfy. At the same time 

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if it does not satisfy people, I will listen 
and ask for inputs which are welcome. 

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It is important that if you don't feel 
comfortable with any company 

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to ask them and see if
 they welcome your feedback. 

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Then it's for you to decide
 if it's appropriate or not.

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[ANSELMO]: Are there considerations 
that could or should be considered 

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in such regulation of AI technology
 to protect Deaf people?

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Accessibility Standards Canada encourages 
the integration of accessibility 

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considerations across all priority 
areas outlined in the Accessible Canada Act. 

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We are committed to promoting accessibility
 through the development of standards 

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that reflect the needs and 
experiences of all disability communities, 

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including Canadians who sign as 
their primary language of communication. 

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AI is advancing fast and needs
 clear accessibility guidelines to 

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be inclusive to people with disabilities. 
Our standard on accessible AI systems 

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will provide developers 
with guidance to build fair, inclusive, 

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equitable and barrier-free 
AI systems for everyone. 

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[ANSELMO]: What does Accessible Standards 
Canada’s proposed standard on AI say? 

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Here are excerpts from their video.

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Planning and explaining uses of AI, 
different organizations must study 

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how AI may affect people with disabilities. 
They must address any problems before 

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it is used. We also must make a plan 
on how to prevent harm, and ensure AI is fair. 

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Ensure that AI works for everybody: 
before using AI, organizations must test 

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it with people who have disabilities
 to make sure it is accessible. 

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Their feedback must be
 used to improve AI.

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Buying AI must be fair and accessible. 
When you are ready to buy an AI system, 

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the organizations must make sure 
it meets fair accessibility standards. 

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An independent experienced 
expert must review and confirm that 

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the AI system meets satisfactory 
standards before it can be used. 

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[ANSELMO]: The deadline for public
 comments on Accessible and Equitable 

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Artificial Intelligence 
Systems is May 5, 2025. 

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[ANSELMO]: Alberta just announced 
a new program that provides benefits 

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to working age adults with disabilities. 

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I'm incredibly excited to announce
 that by July 2026 we'll be launching 

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a full new benefit program
 for people at disabilities in our Province 

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the new Alberta Disability 
Assistance Program or ADAP has been 

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thoughtfully designed based 
on input from Albertans with disabilities 

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to address a gap in support 
for individuals with disabilities 

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who are able to work and want to enjoy
 the benefits that come with employment.

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[ANSELMO]: I asked Robyn Mackie, 
our DeafDots reporter 

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to tell us more about this new program.

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[ROBYN]: Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, 
Community and Social Services 

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Jason Nixon announced on February 4, 
this new program between 18-64 years old 

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if their disability prevents 
them from working to earn a living. 

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Alberta already has another 
program called "Assured Income 

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for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). 

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[ROBYN]: AISH is not designed 
for people who are able to work. 

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Realizing that people 
with disabilities who can work need 

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00:32:21.934 --> 00:32:27.740
to be able to get benefits, 
the ADAP will have higher earning 

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00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:33.546
exemptions to allow people to 
get paid for working while continuing 

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00:32:33.546 --> 00:32:39.352
to get ADAP benefits which
 would gradually reduce when they earn 

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more from their jobs. The Alberta 
government says starting July 2026 

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when the ADAP starts, there would be 
one application for both AISH and ADAP, 

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and each applicant will be
 placed in whichever program 

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is best suited to their specific situation.

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00:33:01.953 --> 00:33:06.704
The Canada Disability benefit kicks
 in June which would have meant 

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another $200 a month, but 
recipients will not get it as the province 

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is deducting the federal benefit
 from the provincial payments. 

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It maintains that recipients 
receive provincial support that exceeds 

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most other provinces. 
We are certainly above the poverty line 

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00:33:25.710 --> 00:33:30.461
from my perspective, but nonetheless 
again we have the highest 

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00:33:30.461 --> 00:33:35.213
than other places like Ontario 
which are paying $500 less a month.

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Disability advocates are frustrated by
 a move from the provincial government 

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that means those who are on income support
 won't see an expected $200 boost. 

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[ROBYN]: Members of the disability 
committee in Alberta are upset 

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with the announcement 
by Alberta Minister Nixon on March 26 that 

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00:33:57.962 --> 00:34:03.309
$200 would be subtracted 
from each AISH recipient's 

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00:34:03.309 --> 00:34:08.656
federal Canada Disability 
Benefit each month. 

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It is very hard to live on what 
it provides and especially given 

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the fact that a lot of people 
with disabilities also have additional 

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expenses that people 
without disabilities may not have.

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[ROBYN]: Alberta’s Deaf community 
leaders and agencies are unsure of how ADAP 

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would benefit Deaf clients. DeafDots
 also reached out to the Ministry of Seniors, 

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00:34:32.162 --> 00:34:37.796
Community and Social Services. They 
declined to provide a signed video response, 

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00:34:37.796 --> 00:34:43.431
and sent English text information despite 
our request for ASL signed contents 

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00:34:43.431 --> 00:34:49.066
for our viewers. Their English text 
repeats some of the same information as 

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00:34:49.066 --> 00:34:54.700
other press reports that 
I have shared with you. 

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[ANSELMO]: On March 4th, 
Deaf Accessibility Strategies announced 

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a coalition of 17 Deaf organizations 
and agencies across Canada 

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to advocate for Deaf Barrier-Free Housing.

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[ANSELMO]: Reason for coalition? 
They say Deaf people have struggled 

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with issues related to accessible 
housing for too long and the time 

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00:38:04.534 --> 00:38:12.310
has come to come together 
to show strength and to 

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00:38:12.310 --> 00:38:20.865
raise awareness of the need for government 
and businesses to take this more seriously.

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I decided to join this Deaf Housing
 coalition because I have known and 

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00:39:18.034 --> 00:39:23.874
been involved with regarding Codes. 
This would benefit CAD-ASC 

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00:39:23.874 --> 00:39:29.714
to focus on federal level knowing 
that federal and provincial is different. 

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00:39:29.714 --> 00:39:35.555
Codes are not the same. The rules 
are not the same so it’s important 

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00:39:35.555 --> 00:39:41.141
we CAD-ASC educate them as some 
provinces have better Codes than Federal 

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00:39:41.141 --> 00:39:46.728
so it's important to try to organize 
and do more education to increase 

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00:39:46.728 --> 00:39:52.314
awareness and explain to them 
why some provinces do it better. 

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00:39:52.314 --> 00:39:55.018
It's important for us, it's our focus.

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00:39:55.607 --> 00:40:00.914
These meetings are beneficial; 
yes it’s been a good start. 

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00:40:00.914 --> 00:40:10.781
It helps us to see ourselves
 the issues that we face every day, 

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00:40:10.781 --> 00:40:20.648
same barriers in common. 
After these meetings, 

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00:40:20.648 --> 00:40:30.515
at home I kept pondering 
what is missing until it hit me 

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00:40:30.515 --> 00:40:41.759
why Deaf people buy devices. 
For example sensors, doorbell, 

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00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:48.167
fire alarms and so on. 
Those that are mandatory. 

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00:40:48.167 --> 00:40:54.565
I looked at my walker; it provides
 an accommodation for accessibility. 

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00:40:54.565 --> 00:41:00.963
I needed that accommodation 
and I didn't pay for it, right? 

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00:41:00.963 --> 00:41:07.617
I didn't buy it. So why not accommodate
 Deaf? They shouldn't have 

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00:41:07.617 --> 00:41:14.271
to buy Deaf devices like 
the doorbell and so forth. 

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00:41:14.271 --> 00:41:29.561
Do something to be fully accessible 
meaning for all not leaving anything out. 

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00:41:29.561 --> 00:41:36.897
Such as the Fire color codes, 
and being able to install and 

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00:41:36.897 --> 00:41:44.233
set up everything intercom, instead
 of Deaf people having to purchase them.

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00:41:45.133 --> 00:41:54.836
CDGM joined the Deaf-Friendly 
Housing Coalition because there is huge 

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00:41:54.836 --> 00:42:04.540
concern with housing in our community 
across Canada. I have observed 

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00:42:04.540 --> 00:42:14.243
and gotten many stories from Deaf 
people struggling, some live in unsafe, 

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00:42:14.243 --> 00:42:23.947
inaccessible and not Deaf-Friendly 
places. By joining the Coalition, 

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00:42:23.947 --> 00:42:32.393
different organizations that share
 the same concerns on housing 

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00:42:32.393 --> 00:42:39.495
accessibility can collaborate 
and work together to advocate. 

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00:42:39.495 --> 00:42:46.598
This would help us to get recognize 
that we all are working together.

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00:42:47.587 --> 00:42:51.410
Why I decided to join the Coalition 
discussions and sharing ideas 

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00:42:51.410 --> 00:42:55.742
on improvements in the future... 
because I am a long time realtor 

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00:42:55.742 --> 00:43:00.074
and I have seen and myself have
 experienced as my clients experience 

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00:43:00.074 --> 00:43:04.406
which I can bring to discuss 
how to improve for the future.

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00:43:05.031 --> 00:43:12.795
Most common barriers for public - 
homes and places are Building Codes 

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00:43:12.795 --> 00:43:17.419
and lighting. If alerts are not met 
meaning fire alarms, water sensors, 

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00:43:17.419 --> 00:43:22.043
someone breaking in with a gun
 or emergencies, it is necessary 

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00:43:22.043 --> 00:43:26.216
to have light alerts
 for Deaf consumers so they are aware.

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00:43:26.798 --> 00:43:34.822
Lack of funding or subsidy
 for installation of visual flashing alerts, 

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00:43:34.822 --> 00:43:42.847
vibrator alarms for phone or 
other sounds, no funding is available. 

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00:43:42.847 --> 00:43:50.184
Most products are audio-based, 
what about our accessibility? 

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00:43:50.184 --> 00:43:57.521
There is none. Those who
 build condo buildings, houses, 

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00:43:57.521 --> 00:44:04.858
townhouses and other housing 
types, these are large companies, 

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00:44:04.858 --> 00:44:12.195
do they have knowledge 
about specific Deaf and DeafBlind and 

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00:44:12.195 --> 00:44:17.942
our needs related to housing
 with visual alerts? Do they know? 

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00:44:17.942 --> 00:44:26.167
No, they don't. They don't know 
anything. Now more importantly, 

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00:44:26.167 --> 00:44:34.392
we know there is currently 
no nationwide standards policy specifically 

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00:44:34.392 --> 00:44:40.034
for Deaf-Friendly design in housing. 

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00:44:40.703 --> 00:44:45.835
I believe that many Deaf people
 cannot buy homes because of affordability 

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00:44:45.835 --> 00:44:50.966
and limited job opportunities so forth. 
I would hope we can raise for discussion. 

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00:44:50.966 --> 00:44:54.745
Also I hope to see improvements and 
transition to visuality as better ways 

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00:44:54.745 --> 00:44:58.523
to overcome barriers 
for better living.

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00:44:59.191 --> 00:45:05.727
[ANSELMO]: Deaf Accessibility 
Strategies' goal is to get funding

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00:45:05.727 --> 00:45:12.264
 to set up a Resource Center 
and collect information to create 

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00:45:12.264 --> 00:45:28.731
 a toolkit on Deaf-Friendly Housing 
solutions, products, providers, 

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00:45:28.731 --> 00:45:38.578
 financial subsidies, and to educate 
both Deaf people and people 

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00:45:38.578 --> 00:45:48.425
 in the real estate housing industry 
to better understand and 

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00:45:48.425 --> 00:45:58.272
 incorporate accessibility in housing. 
If you have experienced 

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00:45:58.272 --> 00:46:08.119
 frustrations dealing with housing 
barriers, they want to hear from you. 

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00:46:08.119 --> 00:46:16.669
 Go to their Facebook page 
"Deaf Accessibility Strategies" and 

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00:46:16.669 --> 00:46:25.219
 share your experiences. 
Thank you for watching DeafDots. 

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00:46:25.219 --> 00:46:36.499
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through our website www.DeafDots.ca 

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00:46:36.499 --> 00:46:45.416
 or email to news@deafdots.ca. 

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00:46:45.416 --> 00:46:56.972
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