NEWMARKET, ON, April 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Everyone deserves a chance to express themselves. Having the opportunity to communicate your needs, interests and preferences in every aspect of your life is critical to defining and expressing your personal identity. For individuals who live with a combination of both vision and hearing loss, their access to information, communication and mobility can all be impacted by the distinct disability of deafblindness.
When Margaret first arrived at her new home with DeafBlind Ontario Services, she was reluctant to try anything new and preferred staying on the couch. Soon after she started working with her Intervenors, she began taking daily walks. Her confidence grew and she started going to the YMCA and participating in local activities like attending fairs with the support of intervenor services. She discovered that she loves going shopping because it gives her an opportunity to check out new clothes and that she loves nail polish.
Margaret expresses herself with her Intervenors through a communication method called adapted interactive tactile sign language where she feels her intervenor signing into her hands. Being able to convey what she likes opened up access to a whole new set of activities for her in her community that include: going to musicals, festivals, visiting a donkey sanctuary and Ripley's Aquarium. Her intervenors assist her in communicating her preferences and this has led to additional opportunities for her to explore her senses through programs like Community Services - Sensory Exploration Arts (SEATM). Margaret's personality shines through while engaging in the SEATM program, as her artistic expression is fostered through visual art, music, drama, and dance.
Individuals who are deafblind have a spectrum of preferences for how they want to communicate. Like any other person, they want to express their interest in the world around them in ways that are unique to them. An intervenor is a communication partner, who acts as the bridge between the person who is deafblind and the world around them through a Total Communication Approach.
Website: www.deafblindontario.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deafblindontarioservices
Twitter: @DeafBlindON
Instagram: @DeafBlindON
SOURCE DeafBlind Ontario Services
Director of Development and Communications, Susan Manahan at 1-855-340-3267 ext.228 or [email protected]
Share this article