Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Health and Community Services
September 29, 2015

Supporting Inclusion for Everyone

Provincial Government Supports American Sign Language Consultation

The first-ever American Sign Language (ASL) Consultation on Wellness, hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf, was held this past weekend (September 26-27) in St. John's, with delegates from throughout the province discussing ways to improve access to primary health care and community supports for people whose first language is ASL. The Provincial Government, through the Department of Seniors Wellness and Social Development, provided $40,000 to support the event.

"We recognize that there are issues around the isolation of individuals in the Deaf community, particularly in rural areas. Our government has done much to promote and implement inclusive practices over the past 12 years, but we know there is more work to be done - including ways of providing equal access to services for the Deaf community. We look forward to reviewing the recommendations from the consultation and to working with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf to address issues of concern."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities

The wellness consultation was offered to allow participants the opportunity to discuss their needs; to identify and discuss necessary actions; to make recommendations toward reducing barriers to services for the Deaf community, and to stress the importance of being able to access health and community services with assistance from American Sign Language interpreters.

"We look forward to seeing the results of these discussions. We understand many of the challenges the Deaf community faces in terms of having access to province-wide ASL interpretation and other community support services, and we are committed to working with the community to further the Provincial Government's goal of full inclusion for everyone, especially in areas as critical as health care."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf provides consultation and information services to government, businesses, health care agencies, educators and others on the needs and interests of Deaf Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The association also conducts research and collects data on Deaf demographics, employment and literacy, and promotes and protects the use of American Sign Language.

"Access to health programs and services, and other community supports, remains a challenge for many in the Deaf community, particularly as our population ages. We look forward to working with the Provincial Government and finding ways in which we can help ensure that individuals in the Deaf community have access to critical health, wellness and community supports."
- Myles Murphy, Executive Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf

In June, the Provincial Government released a three-year action plan to guide further implementation of Access. Inclusion. Equality - A Provincial Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. For more information, see: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/disabilities/pdf/dpo_isap.pdf .

QUICK FACTS:

• The first-ever American Sign Language Consultation on Wellness, hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for the Deaf, was held this past weekend (September 26-27) in St. John's.
• Delegates from throughout the province discussed ways to improve access to primary health care and community supports for people whose first language is American Sign Language.
• The Provincial Government, through the Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, provided $40,000 to support the event.
• In June, the Provincial Government released a three-year action plan to guide further implementation of Access. Inclusion. Equality - A Provincial Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. For more information, see: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/disabilities/pdf/dpo_isap.pdf .

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Media contacts:

Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca	Tina Williams Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca
Kathy Hawkins Director at Large Newfoundland and Labrador Association of the Deaf 709-697-3323 kathyhawkins@aircnl.ca

2015 09 29                              3:45 p.m.