Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
May 12, 2015

The following statement was read today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development:

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note that May is Better Hearing and Speech Month in Newfoundland and Labrador, and across Canada.

Yesterday, I joined representatives of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, and other organizations, to officially sign a proclamation to that effect, in an effort to help promote awareness of hearing loss and speech-language disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to the prevention of hearing loss. It is the only organization in the province which exclusively represents people who are hard of hearing. Since its inception in 1994, it has made steady progress in developing programs and services for its clientele.

The Provincial Government�s Disability Policy Office works with all government departments, agencies and community organizations to develop policies and programs to help ensure the inclusion of all people in all aspects of society. Budget 2015 allocates continued operational funding for the organization, and we have also partnered with the Hard of Hearing Association on a variety of specific initiatives over the years.

Mr. Speaker, communication disorders such as hearing loss and speech-language disabilities affect about 50,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador. Many people benefit from early detection, appropriate therapy, medical intervention, assistive technology, and inclusion strategies.

As many of you know, I have dealt with a loss of hearing myself, and have worn two hearing aids for several years. The improvement in these devices, even over the past few years, has been remarkable, and I am fortunate to have been able to benefit from advances in assistive technology.

Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join with the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association � Newfoundland and Labrador; the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists, and the Hearing Instrument Practitioners Association, to help promote public awareness about hearing loss and speech-language disabilities.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman signs a proclamation declaring May as Better Hearing and Speech Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. From left are: Ashley Rossiter, President Elect of Newfoundland and Labrador Speech Language Pathologists Association; Zoey Austin, a Grade 12 student representing the Queen Elizabeth High School Hard of Hearing Association; Art Norris, Vice-President, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, Newfoundland and Labrador; Leon Mills, Executive Director, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Karen Davis, Departmental Program Coordinator, Disability Policy Office, Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development.

2015 05 12                              2:35 p.m.