By: Larissa Proctor
June is Deafblind Awareness Month, and in celebration, we spoke with Sherry Grabowski, Vice President of CNIB Deafblind Community Services (DBCS), to learn more about the history of DBCS, the expansion of services and what’s coming next.
Larissa: Where did Deafblind Community Services begin?
Sherry: Deafblind Community Services was founded in Ontario in the 1970s with only two staff. We now have over 100 staff in three provinces: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Larissa: What kind of advocacy has been done to expand DBCS services across Canada?
Sherry: People who are Deafblind from across Canada have shared their stories with us and expressed how having access to our services would change their lives. Through our connections with CNIB and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, we’ve been able to engage top government officials to share these stories and discuss the need for DBCS services across the country.
Larissa: What’s the impact of this advocacy on Canadians who are Deafblind?
Sherry: Having access to DBCS services gives people the freedom to do everyday activities independently with an intervenor. Something as simple as surprising your spouse with a birthday gift is something that many people who are Deafblind can’t do without the support of an intervenor. For those who don’t have social support, having access to intervenor services can dramatically reduce social isolation. People can look forward to visits from their intervenor and participate in their communities in ways that they enjoy, like joining a community centre or a curling league.
Larissa: What’s next?
Sherry: We will continue the journey of expanding our services to provinces where there are no supports for people who are Deafblind. We’ll continue to build partnerships with other organizations and engage in discussions with government officials about the need for our services. And, of course, we’ll continue to support people who are Deafblind in any way we can.
For more information or to connect with CNIB Deafblind Community Services, visit www.deafblindservices.ca