Children, Seniors and Social Development
September 27, 2016
Making Strides Toward Inclusion
Provincial Government Recognized for Efforts to Increase Accessibility
The Provincial Government's Disability Policy Office has been awarded the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association - Newfoundland and Labrador's (CHHA-NL) Community Accessibility Award for its Provincial Fire Alert Program, which improves the safety in homes of people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The award presented last night (Monday, September 26) at the Capital Hotel in St. John's.
"The Provincial Government continues to partner with members of the community of persons with disabilities to improve accessibility in our province. Highlighted by our work with the CHHA-NL, we are advancing initiatives that improve safety by helping to make visual fire alarms accessible to people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. I am very proud of the work of the Disability Policy Office and the CHHA-NL in supporting this important program."
- The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
The Provincial Government collaborated with CHHA-NL to coordinate the Provincial Fire Alert Program for persons who are Deaf and hard of hearing. The program successfully raised awareness of the increased risks associated with fire for persons with hearing loss.
Through the Fire Alert Program, 68 household fire alert systems were provided to qualified individuals from across Newfoundland and Labrador. The systems included visual fire alarms which are designed to alert people to a possible fire through alternative warning methods such as light or vibration.
"A number of excellent nominees were considered for this important award. Given the dire and life-threatening consequences of not being warned properly in the event of a fire, it was felt that the Disability Policy Office was the most deserving recipient for the award this year. To date, 68 persons with hearing loss, and their families, have received these specialized alerts, greater public awareness of this issue has been created. The association commends the Disability Policy Office and its staff for their outstanding efforts to create better accessibility for persons with disabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Leon Mills, Executive Director for Canadian Hard of Hearing Association - Newfoundland and Labrador
CHHA-NL is continuing the program this year with an investment of $20,000.
To learn more about CHAA-NL, its programs and services, visit: chha-nl.ca/
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government's Disability Policy Office received a community award for Accessibility from the CHHA-NL for the Provincial Fire Alert Program last evening.
- The program has provided 68 household fire alert systems to qualified individuals from across Newfoundland and Labrador. The systems included visual fire alarms which are designed to alert people to a possible fire through alternative warning methods such as light or vibration.
- Every year, CHAA-NL presents four awards to individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution in the areas of advocacy, accessibility, awareness and hearing conservation.
- The CHHA-NL Community Accessibility Award is presented to individuals, service groups, businesses, or government (agencies or departments) that have worked toimprove hearing accessibility in public spaces through the use of assistive listening and signalling technology.
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Media contacts:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications (Seniors and Wellness) Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5267 rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
Leon Mills
Executive Director for CHHA-NL 709-753-3224 (Ext. 223) lmills@chha-nl.ca |
2016 09 27 4:35 p.m.