WEBVTT

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Hello! This is DeafDots, 
27 June 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 

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DeafDots to get new video updates! 

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[SIGNER]: On May 13 Prime Minister Mark 
Carney's new cabinet was sworn in. 

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The 28 ministers that were sworn 
in did not include a minister dedicated 

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to people with disabilities. Kamal Khera, 
who served as Minister of Diversity, 

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Inclusion and Persons 
with Disabilities lost her seat.

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Carney, our prime minister of Canada, 
decided not to appoint someone 

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to oversee disability policies.
 It's a shame because the Liberal 

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government worked hard to establish 
it after persons with disabilities 

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advocated for it. I felt a lot was positive 
but now it has been removed. 

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I think our prime minister 
forgot that people with disabilities 

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do provide a strong impact to
 improve our economy across Canada 

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by giving job opportunities to 
people with various disabilities. 

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Now this has me disappointed.

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The new Prime Minister of Canada, 
Mark Carney announced the appointment 

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of 28 ministers and included women 
and gender equality, also included 

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indigenous and official languages - 
French and English, and 

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also appointed 10 secretaries
 of state including children, 

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youth and senior citizens. 
But what is missing... no Minister 

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or Secretary did not include 
Accessibility, or People with Disabilities files, 

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it is missing. Who would lead 
discussions in Cabinet meetings 

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about people with disabilities 
and accessibility issues? 

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Who would that be? That means 
Deaf people and disability rights 

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for improvements to disability... 
the Accessibility Standards Canada, 

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fight for improving the Canadian 
Disability Benefit, fight for improvements 

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and better jobs and better services 
targeting people with disabilities, 

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who would take on the leading role? 
That's what is missing. 

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[SIGNER]: Rabia Khedr, national director 
of Disability Without Poverty says 

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"Unfortunately, people with disabilities 
are being left behind." 

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AODA Alliance in Ontario 
says from 2015 to early 2025, 

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the Canada federal government had 
a cabinet minister designated as responsible 

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for people with disabilities." Disability 
group leaders are expressing concern 

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that no new Minister was 
appointed. An open letter from CNIB - 

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the Canadian National 
Institute for the Blind - says 

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“We regret that beginning a new 
relationship with this government begins 

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on such an uncertain footing. 
We sincerely hope that this oversight, 

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whether intentional or not, 
will be corrected without delay.” 

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They listed 19 disabled organizations including 
Canadian Association of the Deaf 

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and CNIB Deafblind Community Services.

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I was shocked that the new government, 
the Liberals, decided not to appoint 

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a person in charge of disability issues 
across Canada. This is disconcerting. 

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Really progress was made 
by the Liberals to recognize those people 

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with various disabilities fought 
and worked really hard for their rights 

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and want the government to establish 
the disability position as a matter of respect. 

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Though we had made progress
 in a positive manner but now with no position 

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in the new Cabinet, 
I am shocked and disappointed.

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I used to be involved in Ontario 
AODA studying accessibility 

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on a disability accessibility 
committee for four years.

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 The focus has been on blind 
and wheelchairs, autism, brain injury, 

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 hearing loss, memory... and 
other organizations. Trying to recall... 

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 learning disabled, expression, overall 
discussions on making improvements... 

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 for example bus barriers 
for wheelchairs and needing to 

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 improve with accurate height and
 width and lowering height for access. 

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 The size of doors being able to
 fit wheelchairs and replacing old narrow 

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 doors with larger ones for better 
access are one of many examples 

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 but for Deaf people... zero. 
All blind, low vision, hearing loss, 

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 wheelchairs, brain injuries, whatever 
they all share the same language - 

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 English or French. They all can speak 
fluently so providing accommodations is easy. 

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 As for Deaf people, there is none... 
other than providing interpreters... 

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 captioning... interpreters on TV announcements 
eventually being arranged 

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 late during COVID. Deaf people face 
many barriers that don't match with AODA. 

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 I prefer the Deaf community to
 have its own access and accommodations 

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 by becoming a special 
project for the Minister and 

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 not under AODA which deals 
with hearing language English.

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We could continue with Accessible Canada, 
Accessibility Standards Canada and 

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Canada Disability Benefit, yes but
 it'd be slow. Meaning there is no leadership. 

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Missing leadership is significant. Without 
appointing someone to be responsible 

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for overseeing and reporting to the House 
of Commons and answering questions 

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means our issues won't be recognized
 again. People with disabilities have 

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to go through our local MP to initiate 
contacts but in Parliament questions 

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and discussions would be lacking. 
I doubt it can be effective 

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in recognizing accessibility as equivalent 
and making progress. It's a shame.

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[SIGNER]: The Summer Deaflympics 
will be held this November in Tokyo, Japan. 

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It will be the first time Japan is hosting 
the Summer Deaflympics although 

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they did host the 23rd Winter 
Deaflympics in 1999. This year is also 

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the 100th anniversary of the Deaflympics 
which began in Paris in 1924. 

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DeafDots asked CDSA, 
the Canadian Deaf Sports Association, 

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how many athletes 
would represent Canada? 

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Yes, we've almost completed Team Canada! 
There will be between 70 and 75 Canadians.

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Of the 21 sports at this Summer Deaflympics, 
which sports will Canada participate in?

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Canada will participate 
in 9 different sports: Men’s Basketball, 

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Women Volleyball, Badminton, 
Golf, Table Tennis, 

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Marathon, 5,000 meters, Tennis, and Bowling.

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Do athletes cover all costs of participating
 in the Summer Deaflympics 

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or does CDSA cover 
or subsidize these costs? 

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For the past 10 years, whenever 
possible, CDSA's budgetary policy is 

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for athletes to pay 50%, and CDSA 
would cover the balance through grants 

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and financial support from 
the community. There also will be a major 

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fundraising campaign launched soon 
and we are inviting large corporations 

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and the Deaf community to make 
donations to support Team Canada. 

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Yes, the cost of a trip to Japan
 for each member of Team Canada is much 

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more expensive than 
the past Deaflympics.

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Which sports are Canadian athletes 
known for at past Summer Deaflympics?

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For the Deaflympics in Japan, we have 
some high-level athletes who have been 

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training with CDSA for at least five years 
and who have high performance potential 

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in badminton, tennis and golf. 
CDSA also has new hope in table tennis 

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which may possibly surprise 
us at the Deaflympics!

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[SIGNER]: Just six more months left 
until the Summer Deaflympics, 

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good luck to Team Canada and 
may they bring home many medals!

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Two major job positions within 
a Deaf provincial services agency and 

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a national organization became vacant. 
Who is leaving and what is happening? 

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DeafDots asked Robyn Mackie.

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 In March, Wavefront Centre 
for Communication Accessibility (WFC) 

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in Vancouver, BC announced that 
Christopher Sutton stepped down 

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from the CEO position effective May 2nd. 

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Sutton has been CEO of Wavefront
 Centre since April 1, 2020.

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Recognize International Week of the Deaf 
and celebrate richness and diverse cultures, 

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history and languages of Deaf communities.

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[REPORTER]: Sutton has been 
appointed Accessibility Commissioner 

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under the Accessible Canada Act at the 
Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) 

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and starts work on May 5th.

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[REPORTER]: According to the job posting, 
WFC works with businesses and 

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organizations who strive 
to improve accessibility and 

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break down communication barriers. 
They provide Audiology + Hearing Healthcare, 

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Accessibility Services, 
Community Outreach, and Research. 

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WFC is a social enterprise that 
reinvests revenues into their mission. 

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The CEO would be responsible
 for strategic, operational and 

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funding objectives and oversee staff
 and delivery of programming and services. 

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WFC has hired Harbour West 
Consulting to help recruit candidates.

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Wavefront Centre, in partnership 
with Harbour West Consulting, is looking 

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for a visionary leader committed
 to innovative and accessible services. 

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We are looking for individuals 
who have strong abilities, 

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with excellent interpersonal, 
financial, governance, and 

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strategic planning abilities. 
We are also looking for someone 

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with a passion for advancing 
social enterprise. A preference will be given 

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to candidates demonstrating knowledge 
of Deaf culture, with ASL skills, 

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or a willingness to learn ASL proficiency.

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[REPORTER]: What are the primary 
responsibilities/duties of the CEO at Wavefront Centre?

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The CEO is responsible 
for planning and leading the strategic, 

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operational and funding 
objectives while ensuring adherence 

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to the core values of the organization. 
The CEO will have direct 

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oversight of leadership, financial 
viability, growth, as well as delivering 

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core programs and services 
across the social enterprise function.

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[REPORTER]: The second major 
job position that became vacant 

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is at Canadian Association 
of the Deaf (CAD-ASC). 

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On May 6, CAD president Shawna Joynt 
sent this video to CAD affiliate members.

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We at CAD-ASC want to share 
the sad news that Richard Belzile has made 

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the decision to resign as Executive Director. 

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We are working together
 to ensure a positive transition.

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I am myself a lawyer and 
over 3 years I have been focused and 

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been involved in different legal issues
 for CAD - Air Canada vs. Rose regarding 

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their refusal to fly with a wheelchair. 
We fought based on undue hardship and won. 

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Second case is Lidkea vs.
 Correctional Service Canada. 

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That was a battle for the rights 
of Deaf prisoners who don’t get interpreters 

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for services and programs. 
We fought for them which is continuing. 

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Third is the desire to sue
 for the right of VRI for Deaf people. 

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Me and another Deaf lawyer, 
Scott Simser, wrote an application 

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to the University of Ottawa Court 
Challenges Program and received a $200,000 grant 

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to fight for VRI. With these, 
now I could see growth in legal issues and 

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decided to ask the board to 
please allow me to transfer to focus 

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on legal issues and fight for our rights. 

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It was too much work in both
 jobs so agreement was made.

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[REPORTER]: DeafDots asked Shawna Joynt, 
CAD-ASC president about the changes.

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CAD-ASC's goal is to have a team
 focusing on issues across Canada involving 

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the legal system. Deaf, hard of hearing, 
DeafBlind on federal level... 

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prisons… and so forth, 
is much needed in the laws. 

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The goal is to fight for, 
and notice our rights. 

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At present, the Executive Director 
switches between his job and 

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his legal role which is 
too much. It needed to be split, 

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the work duties for better response 
and focus than switching between both. 

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This is the goal that we are working 
on now as it is our top priority 

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to focus on Deaf, hard of hearing 
and DeafBlind and their rights

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What are the most important tasks/responsibilities 
of the CAD-ASC CEO position?

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The CAD-ASC executive director has 
an extensive list of responsibilities. 

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Focusing on relationships with provinces 
and national, partnerships, 

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advisory, teamwork, participating
 in various accessibility rights advisory 

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and referrals. HIs focus is 
on relationship building which is key.

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What kind of candidates fit the CEO position, 

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what kind of applicants are you 
looking for, or hope to attract?

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We are aiming and hope to attract persons 
with various knowledge of the system, 

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politics, accessibility and knowledge, 
understanding structure 

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and knowledge of ASL 
and LSQ, English and French. 

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The more languages the better. 
Understand grants and fill out forms 

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for all projects... Youth, Indigenous, 
accessibility, DeafBlind, 

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and so forth which is important 
knowledge. It is important that 

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that person has a network which is 
key to helping improve the organization. 

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He or she needs to have teamwork
 and a friendly personality, 

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can manage in a timely manner, 
meet short deadlines, 

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have much patience and 
accept criticism, be a team player but 

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importantly is time management and 
friendliness, wisdom, humble and interactive. 

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[REPORTER]: Both positions 
are with credible Deaf organizations that 

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provide essential services and 
advocate for rights of Deaf people. 

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[SIGNER]: Recruiting and hiring 
a candidate with background and 

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understanding of the Deaf community
 is critical to providing 

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solid leadership and raising the bar
 in quality of services for Deaf Canadians. 

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 In January 2023 DeafDots program 
we reported that the Canadian 

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government has been discussing 
a new federal disability benefit called 

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Canada Disability Benefit (CDB). 
Proposed regulations were created 

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in January 2024, and it is scheduled 
to go into effect on May 15, 2025. 

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To qualify to get CDB, the person
 with disability or Deaf person 

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must have been approved 
for Disability Tax Credit and could get up 

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to $200 per month. The first payment 
will begin in July 2025. 

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The regulatory process for the Canada 
Disability Benefit is now completed. 

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The finalized regulations – which establish 
the parameters of the benefit - 

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such as eligibility criteria, 
the amount of the benefit and 

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how it would be calculated – 
were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette 

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on March 12, 2025, and will come 
into force on May 15, 2025. 

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The first month of eligibility 
for the benefit is June 2025, 

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with the amount for that 
month payable in July 2025. 

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[SIGNER]: There has been a lot 
of discussion about CDB within 

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the disability community. There
 are concerns if disability payments 

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from the provinces
 could be affected by CDB. 

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In the April 2025 DeafDots 
report, we mentioned concerns 

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in Alberta that Alberta's 
new disability benefit program 

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for working adults with disabilities 
would claw back its benefits 

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by the CDB $200 amount. Meaning disabled 
people who get both Alberta’s disability 

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benefits and CDB would
 not see any increase in their income.

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Service Canada is working to finalize
 the application process for the benefit. 

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Information on how to apply will be 
available online in the coming months. 

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The Employment and Social Development 
Canada media person at first declined 

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to provide ASL video responses. Then
 after DeafDots showed them video responses 

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by other government agencies and
 agencies, they asked for an extension 

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00:26:35.117 --> 00:26:43.192
in deadline, then at deadline time, 
declined to provide video responses 

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00:26:43.192 --> 00:26:51.629
and said their “aim is to have 
overarching communication supporting 

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00:26:51.629 --> 00:27:00.065
the launch of the Canadian Disability 
Benefit (CDB) available in ASL and LSQ.” 

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They do not have any signed 
videos related to CDB on their website. 

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The maximum amount of the benefit
 from July 2025 to June 2026 

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will be $200 per month. The amount 
a person can receive will depend 

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on whether they are single or have 
a spouse or common-law partner, 

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and whether their spouse or partner is also 
a Canada Disability Benefit recipient; 

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00:27:34.086 --> 00:27:39.845
their income and the income 
of their spouse or common-law partner, 

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00:27:39.845 --> 00:27:44.219
if they have one; and whether
 they and/or their spouse 

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or common-law partner 
has income from work. 

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00:27:48.592 --> 00:27:49.337


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00:27:49.337 --> 00:27:54.879
Details about the application process
 for the Canada Disability Benefit 

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00:27:54.879 --> 00:28:00.421
will be available in the coming months 
and will be posted on Canada.ca. 

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00:28:00.421 --> 00:28:07.056
The application process is being 
designed to be as simple as possible 

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00:28:07.056 --> 00:28:13.691
and available online through 
an application webpage on Canada.ca.   

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People who are eligible 
for the Disability Tax Credit, 

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00:28:17.780 --> 00:28:25.869
have filed their taxes for 2024, 
and meet the income thresholds 

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for the Canada Disability Benefit 
will receive a letter inviting them 

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to apply for the benefit, once
 the application website is available. 

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Individuals who do not receive a letter 
of invitation will still be able to apply. 

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[SIGNER]:Right now the Canada
 Disability Benefit is taxable. 

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The spokesperson said an amendment 
may be made to exempt CDB 

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from being treated as income
 under the Income Tax Act. 

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00:29:10.025 --> 00:29:17.229
For the time being, however, anyone 
who gets CDB has to pay taxes on it. 

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00:29:17.229 --> 00:29:22.725
Thank you for watching DeafDots. 

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00:29:22.725 --> 00:29:30.736
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news suggestions through 

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00:29:30.736 --> 00:29:41.372
our website www.DeafDots.ca 
or email to news@deafdots.ca. 

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00:29:41.372 --> 00:29:48.256
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