WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en-CA 00:00:12.128 --> 00:00:16.897 [Anselmo]: Hello! This is DeafDots, 12 November 2021. 00:00:16.897 --> 00:00:22.793 Bringing alerts & news reports at intervals for all Deaf Canadians. 00:00:22.793 --> 00:00:29.562 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and follow DeafDots to get new video updates! 00:00:43.974 --> 00:00:50.981 [Anselmo]: On October 28, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission 00:00:50.981 --> 00:01:00.477 released its 2021 update report on "Access and Equality for Deaf, deaf and Hard of Hearing 00:01:00.477 --> 00:01:09.086 persons” to review activities taken over the past five years. 00:01:11.007 --> 00:01:18.075 This complicated situation all goes back to 1990 when the Saskatchewan 00:01:18.075 --> 00:01:25.591 government decided to close the Saskatoon School for the Deaf and 00:01:25.591 --> 00:01:32.881 move Deaf children into regular hearing schools. 00:01:32.881 --> 00:01:39.356 We asked Robyn Holmes at Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of 00:01:39.356 --> 00:01:45.200 Hearing Services, SDHHS, what it caused. 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:54.215 When the Deaf school, RJD Williams, closed, most of the high school 00:01:54.215 --> 00:01:59.285 students had to take a few courses to graduate just like hearing students. 00:01:59.285 --> 00:02:07.898 The younger students had to go back to their homes which meant 00:02:07.898 --> 00:02:14.200 they didn't have the support or communication with anyone, 00:02:14.200 --> 00:02:25.033 they were limited. In 2005, Provincial Court Judge Orr recognized the situation 00:02:25.033 --> 00:02:30.967 of one young Deaf boy's horrible situation and was touched. 00:02:30.967 --> 00:02:34.229 He said that was awful. 00:02:34.229 --> 00:02:41.543 At the same time, Roger Carver, now deceased, set up a meeting 00:02:41.543 --> 00:02:50.295 with the Child Advocate, Ombudsman and Human Rights Commission 00:02:50.295 --> 00:02:53.840 with the goal of changing the situation. 00:02:54.824 --> 00:02:58.311 [Anselmo]: You mentioned a horrible situation to a young 00:02:58.311 --> 00:03:01.500 Deaf boy, what happened? 00:03:02.363 --> 00:03:10.033 The story of the boy named Jordan, a teenager, is heartbreaking. 00:03:10.033 --> 00:03:14.949 He had a fight at school and police apprehended him and their actions 00:03:14.949 --> 00:03:19.622 led to his death. That led to the Human Rights Commission who 00:03:19.622 --> 00:03:22.795 looked into the incident. 00:03:22.795 --> 00:03:27.971 That boy grew up with no language, couldn't read or write. 00:03:27.971 --> 00:03:30.775 He couldn't express himself to the police. 00:03:30.775 --> 00:03:35.239 This led to his death. 00:03:35.239 --> 00:03:39.222 There were no interpreters, no information on the case. 00:03:39.222 --> 00:03:42.212 He couldn't communicate which demonstrated that without 00:03:42.212 --> 00:03:45.190 education, many children in Saskatchewan are experiencing 00:03:45.190 --> 00:03:48.589 language deprivation. They have no exposure to language... 00:03:48.589 --> 00:03:54.684 English and Sign Language... 00:03:55.346 --> 00:03:57.592 [Anselmo]: Then what happened? 00:03:58.861 --> 00:04:04.738 The Deaf organizations collaborated in a coalition with parents and 00:04:04.738 --> 00:04:11.001 other concerned people who met with the Human Rights Commission 00:04:11.001 --> 00:04:16.374 and expressed their concern that since the system was not working for them 00:04:16.374 --> 00:04:19.139 and felt the Deaf and hard of hearing community was being 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:21.728 discriminated against. 00:04:21.728 --> 00:04:29.956 Judge Orr's decision, the Supreme Court's decision, and Silent World of Jordan 00:04:29.956 --> 00:04:36.139 and a report from the Child Advocate got the point across 00:04:36.139 --> 00:04:39.398 that there were not enough services for the Deaf and 00:04:39.398 --> 00:04:40.904 hard of hearing community. 00:04:42.344 --> 00:04:42.932 [Anselmo]: Thanks Robyn. 00:04:42.932 --> 00:04:49.830 The closing of the Deaf school, then the death of a young Deaf boy 00:04:49.830 --> 00:04:56.298 who couldn’t read, write or sign, and relentless advocacy by the Deaf 00:04:56.298 --> 00:05:07.244 Coalition who brought up Deaf issues to the Human Rights 00:05:07.244 --> 00:05:20.919 Commission has resulted in 15 key recommendations: equity in the 00:05:20.919 --> 00:05:30.700 healthcare and education systems, preparedness by Saskatchewan 00:05:30.700 --> 00:05:33.800 agencies, universal newborn screening, parent supports, reduce 00:05:47.066 --> 00:06:01.720 isolation of children and adults in northern and rural communities, 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:17.545 accessible group homes, subsidize cost of assistive technology 00:06:17.545 --> 00:06:29.745 equipment, recognize ASL, improve adult education and English as 00:06:29.745 --> 00:06:40.819 second language learning, increase post-secondary ASL courses, 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:49.661 interpreters at public events and increase public education 00:06:49.661 --> 00:06:57.200 to accommodate hearing disabilities. 00:07:18.847 --> 00:07:24.095 [Anselmo]: In March, Ontario Minister of Education and 00:07:24.095 --> 00:07:30.197 Minister of Seniors and Accessibility announced that Ontario would become 00:07:30.197 --> 00:07:35.722 one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to offer ASL and LSQ classes 00:07:35.722 --> 00:07:42.855 in high schools starting this Fall. 00:07:42.855 --> 00:07:48.344 The Ontario Association of the Deaf (OAD) was involved in writing and 00:07:48.344 --> 00:07:55.158 review sessions for the ASL curriculum. 00:07:55.158 --> 00:08:04.400 I asked OAD executive director Donald Prong what this is about? 00:08:05.497 --> 00:08:09.428 The ASL curriculum that the Ontario Minister 00:08:09.428 --> 00:08:15.088 of Education released last Spring, "ASL L2". 00:08:15.088 --> 00:08:19.033 What is "L2"? Language 2, meaning second language. 00:08:19.033 --> 00:08:24.681 You know many hearing grow up and go to school speak English. 00:08:24.681 --> 00:08:29.743 Some may speak a foreign language, for example some may take a French 00:08:29.743 --> 00:08:31.484 or Italian class. 00:08:31.484 --> 00:08:34.144 Or Spanish. 00:08:34.144 --> 00:08:39.084 Now add ASL to the curriculum! Specifically on high school level 00:08:39.084 --> 00:08:42.214 and above, grade 9 to 12. 00:08:42.214 --> 00:08:44.283 ASL classes are available by the Minister of Education 00:08:44.283 --> 00:08:46.366 throughout Ontario. 00:08:47.266 --> 00:08:52.161 [Anselmo]: How was the response to this announcement? 00:08:53.115 --> 00:09:01.144 When the news first came out, some applauded, some expressed concern. 00:09:01.144 --> 00:09:07.214 The good news means increased opportunities for ASL communication. 00:09:07.214 --> 00:09:09.675 More hearing people would know ASL meaning 00:09:09.675 --> 00:09:12.565 greater community unity, more inclusiveness. 00:09:12.565 --> 00:09:16.707 That'd be great! Another benefit is job opportunities 00:09:16.707 --> 00:09:20.246 for Deaf people - teaching ASL. 00:09:20.246 --> 00:09:26.151 I think it is important we be aware of the following details: 00:09:26.151 --> 00:09:31.802 the Minister of Education developed and released the curriculum. 00:09:31.802 --> 00:09:39.089 Who controls who can teach it? OCT, not the Minister of Education. 00:09:39.089 --> 00:09:43.480 OCT - what is it? Ontario College of Teachers. 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:46.950 They are responsible for giving credentials to teachers 00:09:46.950 --> 00:09:54.096 so they can teach in elementary to high schools. 00:09:54.096 --> 00:09:58.439 OCT checks if you meet educational requirements i.e. 00:09:58.439 --> 00:10:04.274 a BA in education or MA in education, and have taken a few of 00:10:04.274 --> 00:10:08.789 their courses to become certified. 00:10:08.789 --> 00:10:14.425 Those who don't have a Bachelors in education cannot be considered for 00:10:14.425 --> 00:10:17.383 certification to teach the ASL curriculum. 00:10:17.383 --> 00:10:27.350 Many people, for example Deaf people who teach at night colleges, 00:10:27.350 --> 00:10:33.233 community colleges or CHS or BRCEED and have teaching certificates and 00:10:33.233 --> 00:10:35.810 taught for many years but no university degree cannot teach 00:10:35.810 --> 00:10:45.831 the ASL curriculum at hearing schools through the Minister of Education. 00:10:45.831 --> 00:10:50.204 OCT has already decided they can't. 00:10:50.204 --> 00:10:52.916 This has created some friction. 00:10:52.916 --> 00:10:55.139 It is important to be aware. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:59.987 Some Deaf teachers have worked with OCT. 00:10:59.987 --> 00:11:05.549 The ASL curriculum came out just last Spring 00:11:05.549 --> 00:11:09.741 which means ASL classes begin this fall. 00:11:09.741 --> 00:11:13.013 So the first year will be a bit rough. 00:11:13.013 --> 00:11:15.497 It won't be smooth as they figure out the procedures 00:11:15.497 --> 00:11:19.786 of who can and who cannot teach. 00:11:20.784 --> 00:11:23.550 [Anselmo]: What’s the benefit of offering ASL classes 00:11:23.550 --> 00:11:26.667 in Ontario high schools? 00:11:27.627 --> 00:11:34.807 Now I think it is important to shift to the positive: 00:11:34.807 --> 00:11:41.440 1. Some feel the ASL curriculum is for hearing people. 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:45.866 Yes it does look like it but it is important to consider 00:11:45.866 --> 00:11:49.788 that many Deaf children are born in Ontario. 00:11:49.788 --> 00:11:52.760 Many parents decided when their children are 5 years old 00:11:52.760 --> 00:11:55.770 not to enroll in a Deaf school. 00:11:55.770 --> 00:11:57.687 A very high percent are mainstreamed in 00:11:57.687 --> 00:12:01.430 hearing schools where they grow up. 00:12:01.430 --> 00:12:07.073 In high schools, many Deaf cannot speak but when they find out about 00:12:07.073 --> 00:12:11.527 the ASL curriculum, they would be inspired. 00:12:11.527 --> 00:12:15.294 It's natural to want to take the class. 00:12:15.294 --> 00:12:19.774 By taking the class, chances are in a few years we would see more 00:12:19.774 --> 00:12:25.431 mainstreamed kids who speak but can take ASL classes and learn. 00:12:25.431 --> 00:12:29.614 Which means possibly getting more involved in the Deaf community 00:12:29.614 --> 00:12:35.149 later after graduating from high school or college. 00:12:35.149 --> 00:12:39.708 Possibly more involved in the Deaf community! A second consideration 00:12:39.708 --> 00:12:46.032 is the few interpreter training programs in Canada i.e. 00:12:46.032 --> 00:12:50.726 George Brown College, community college in Vancouver and in 00:12:50.726 --> 00:12:57.562 Nova Scotia and the like are facing common challenges - 00:12:57.562 --> 00:13:04.486 they prefer students with basic signing skills 00:13:04.486 --> 00:13:08.014 and ability to sign who are ideal to become interpreters. 00:13:08.014 --> 00:13:14.948 Many who enroll lack these skills, which is risky. 00:13:14.948 --> 00:13:18.153 Meaning when they graduate, they may not be as proficient as 00:13:18.153 --> 00:13:26.598 those with basic signing who enroll. 00:13:26.598 --> 00:13:32.055 Now the ASL curriculum in hearing schools means more chances of many 00:13:32.055 --> 00:13:38.197 more students who immerse in ASL and learn to sign who can be better 00:13:38.197 --> 00:13:42.612 candidates for interpreter training programs. 00:13:42.612 --> 00:13:46.350 That means the chances of interpreting skills will increase! 00:13:46.350 --> 00:13:49.433 Because these students already have signing fundamentals. 00:13:49.433 --> 00:13:53.971 That is an important qualification to become an interpreter. 00:13:54.680 --> 00:13:56.419 [Anselmo]: Are there enough teachers to teach 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:59.721 the ASL classes in Ontario high schools? 00:14:00.507 --> 00:14:03.077 I think it is important you know that only 00:14:03.077 --> 00:14:08.932 five school boards are involved in that project. 00:14:08.932 --> 00:14:12.731 How many school boards are there in Ontario? There are 72. 00:14:12.731 --> 00:14:15.099 Which means 5 out of 72. 00:14:15.099 --> 00:14:17.311 It will start small for this year. 00:14:17.311 --> 00:14:18.300 Next year or following years, we will see. 00:14:19.392 --> 00:14:28.795 [Anselmo]: If more school districts offer the ASL classes, then what? 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:33.629 What would it look like going forward and what to do? 00:14:33.629 --> 00:14:38.625 Remember it was released recently in Spring going into its first year. 00:14:38.625 --> 00:14:43.408 That means in 2, 3 or 4 years, you will see 00:14:43.408 --> 00:14:48.046 negatives and benefits, results to use. 00:14:48.046 --> 00:14:51.803 This is still very new. 00:14:51.803 --> 00:15:01.752 OAD sees this is a significant pool of teachers and we are trying to 00:15:01.752 --> 00:15:11.229 figure out how in high school some classes have carpentry and welding, 00:15:11.229 --> 00:15:16.761 do these teachers have BA degrees in education? No, many don't. 00:15:16.761 --> 00:15:20.999 They do have specific certificates in their field... 00:15:20.999 --> 00:15:24.144 welding or carpentry... 00:15:24.144 --> 00:15:28.038 they have licenses. 00:15:28.038 --> 00:15:30.846 OCT accepts these licenses but requires them to take more 00:15:30.846 --> 00:15:38.783 AQ classes to meet teaching requirements and get certification. 00:15:38.783 --> 00:15:40.829 Now we want to explore doing the same for those 00:15:40.829 --> 00:15:44.144 Deaf people who taught ASL for many years, 00:15:44.144 --> 00:15:47.295 they should be able to get certification. 00:15:47.295 --> 00:15:50.114 We are pursuing this. 00:15:50.114 --> 00:15:55.677 That, we really hope will happen shortly after they have observed 00:15:55.677 --> 00:15:58.266 and realized there are not enough teachers to teach ASL. 00:15:58.866 --> 00:16:05.127 [Anselmo]: Why not require only Deaf people teach the ASL classes? 00:16:05.127 --> 00:16:09.514 Donald Prong says OCT says No. 00:16:09.514 --> 00:16:16.238 If hearing people can’t teach, it becomes discrimination! 00:16:16.238 --> 00:16:24.373 OAD and others are exploring possible solutions. 00:16:41.933 --> 00:16:48.564 [Anselmo]: I saw a post on Facebook that the Deaf Center in Montreal, 00:16:48.564 --> 00:16:55.398 known as “CLSM” may be defunct if it doesn’t pay off its bank loan. 00:16:55.398 --> 00:16:59.969 DeafDots asked Nicole to do a report. 00:17:01.328 --> 00:17:04.600 [Nicole]: Yes, that Center is known in French as 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:18.691 "Centre des Loisirs des Sourds de Montréal", CLSM. 00:17:18.691 --> 00:17:29.166 On October 31, Gilles Boucher, CLSM president posted this video to 00:17:29.166 --> 00:17:33.900 YouTube saying that CLSM is in danger of closing. 00:17:35.287 --> 00:17:44.699 Dear Members, Former Members and Colleagues, I am Gilles Boucher, 00:17:44.699 --> 00:17:50.652 president of Centre des Sourds de Montréal Inc., (CLSM). 00:17:50.652 --> 00:17:56.375 Last October 24th, we held a special meeting 00:17:56.375 --> 00:18:00.780 to focus on our future. 00:18:00.780 --> 00:18:04.800 We announced that we were in a deficit of about $15,000. 00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:12.855 [Nicole]: History goes back to 1901 when Leisure Center des Sourds de 00:18:12.855 --> 00:18:27.767 Montreal Inc started in the town of Ville Saint-Louis in southwestern 00:18:27.767 --> 00:18:32.463 Quebec at the Institution for the Deaf. 00:18:32.463 --> 00:18:35.759 It went through changes over the years. 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:48.197 In 1949, the name was changed to Center des Leisure and Social Service. 00:18:48.197 --> 00:18:54.042 They provided training and assistance to alumni of the Deaf school. 00:18:54.042 --> 00:19:00.982 The Center hosted Catholic Mass, marriage preparation courses, 00:19:00.982 --> 00:19:06.989 job search and housing, and interpreter services. 00:19:06.989 --> 00:19:13.500 The Chaplain also visited elderly and sick people. 00:19:37.405 --> 00:19:40.160 [Nicole]: Five hundred people attended the Center's 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:43.905 50th anniversary in 1951. 00:19:43.905 --> 00:19:47.315 They had a bowling league. 00:19:47.315 --> 00:19:52.666 But women did not join the council administration until 1964. 00:19:52.666 --> 00:20:01.073 In 1965 it changed its name to the current name "CLSM". 00:20:01.073 --> 00:20:07.165 In 1974, the Center hosted a Super gala to celebrate the Queen's 00:20:07.165 --> 00:20:14.632 annual coronation at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. 00:20:14.632 --> 00:20:19.242 Guess how many people attended? 953 people! After 74 years at the 00:20:19.242 --> 00:20:25.573 Institution of the Deaf, the Center moved in 1975. 00:20:25.573 --> 00:20:29.071 It has moved several times. 00:20:29.071 --> 00:20:39.899 In September 1976, CLSM celebrated its 75th anniversary with 1,056 people! 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:46.393 In 1997, the Center began to have financial difficulties... 00:20:46.393 --> 00:20:51.223 but still celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2001 00:20:51.223 --> 00:20:56.214 with a commemorative plaque installed 00:20:56.214 --> 00:20:59.306 at the old institution of the Deaf-Mute. 00:20:59.906 --> 00:21:07.696 I want to announce this fundraising campaign for CLSM. 00:21:07.696 --> 00:21:11.217 The reason is that it is in danger of collapse. 00:21:11.217 --> 00:21:18.110 With a 120 year history, people cherish our history. 00:21:18.110 --> 00:21:25.942 So now it means people with a heart need to make donations to CLSM. 00:21:26.542 --> 00:21:32.797 [Nicole]: That was Patrick Beauchamp who is organizing the 00:21:32.797 --> 00:21:41.666 GoFundMe campaign. He says CLSM’s bank has given a deadline of 30 00:21:41.666 --> 00:21:46.588 November 2021 to pay off the $15,000 deficit or be forced to 00:21:46.588 --> 00:21:55.137 shut down permanently. This year, 2021 is CLSM’s 120th anniversary 00:21:55.137 --> 00:22:01.303 but there are no celebrations planned due to COVID-19 and lack of funds. 00:22:01.703 --> 00:22:10.439 CLSM has important and I cherish their many years...120 years. 00:22:10.439 --> 00:22:13.849 I have been involved for many years, where I observed 00:22:13.849 --> 00:22:18.914 and learned from the Deaf Community, older and young... 00:22:18.914 --> 00:22:24.198 people of different backgrounds, cultures, sports and politics. 00:22:24.198 --> 00:22:26.838 They influenced my life over the years. 00:22:26.838 --> 00:22:29.285 They are important. 00:22:29.285 --> 00:22:33.685 We cannot allow them to fold, we need to be creative in finding 00:22:33.685 --> 00:22:36.886 solutions and continue to support and donate money. 00:22:36.886 --> 00:22:38.410 We need to keep CLSM. 00:22:39.810 --> 00:22:42.354 [Anselmo]: This is sad. 00:22:42.354 --> 00:22:48.109 If any DeafDots viewer would like to make a donation to help pay off 00:22:48.109 --> 00:22:56.771 the deficit and keep CLSM alive, DeafDots has set up the link to 00:22:56.771 --> 00:23:12.381 their GoFundMe at www.deafdots.ca/clsm 00:23:42.008 --> 00:23:50.400 [Anselmo]: In 1831 a group of businessmen in Halifax 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:57.782 met to discuss starting a public bank. 00:23:57.782 --> 00:24:05.135 This bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia adopted and 00:24:05.135 --> 00:24:15.767 became known as Scotiabank in 1975. 00:24:15.767 --> 00:24:26.266 Of the "Big Five Banks" in Canada, Scotiabank is now the third 00:24:26.266 --> 00:24:32.539 largest bank in Canada offering credit cards, chequing accounts 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:39.418 and savings accounts. Why should we consider Scotiabank? 00:24:40.909 --> 00:24:46.744 At Scotiabank, we believe people with disabilities should be able to 00:24:46.744 --> 00:24:50.228 access financial products and services that fit their needs and 00:24:50.228 --> 00:24:53.631 assert their independence with respect to their decisions. 00:24:53.631 --> 00:24:58.011 We provide accommodations and we believe in providing inclusive user 00:24:58.011 --> 00:25:07.268 experiences meaning our philosophy and goal is how we build products 00:25:07.268 --> 00:25:11.176 and services to make sure they are fully accessible and designed 00:25:11.176 --> 00:25:14.319 to be inclusive from the very beginning. 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:18.299 We are in different phases of our current journey and we understand 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:22.663 that equal services means providing specific disabled services for 00:25:22.663 --> 00:25:27.544 customers. We have availability, if requested, to provide sign 00:25:27.544 --> 00:25:32.851 language interpreters or CART services. 00:25:32.851 --> 00:25:36.746 We cover the costs for accommodations in meetings with staff. 00:25:36.746 --> 00:25:42.262 We provide other disability services also including large print, 00:25:42.262 --> 00:25:46.602 braille for customers who are visually impaired or blind. 00:25:46.602 --> 00:25:51.047 Other things we expect in the future are to build technology 00:25:51.047 --> 00:25:55.554 solutions and services, and provide on-demand interpretation 00:25:55.554 --> 00:25:58.760 for customers who are Deaf. 00:25:58.760 --> 00:26:02.823 We have some similar arrangements for our employees who are Deaf, 00:26:02.823 --> 00:26:07.643 and hope to expand on these functions for our customers. 00:26:07.643 --> 00:26:12.198 We are upgrading our live chat capabilities on our existing online 00:26:12.198 --> 00:26:17.401 services and apps. 00:26:17.401 --> 00:26:22.932 We are now, based on feedback from people who are Deaf, 00:26:22.932 --> 00:26:27.947 improving our design and features. 00:26:27.947 --> 00:26:32.733 Another thing is we have an email channel through which customers 00:26:32.733 --> 00:26:41.109 with disabilities can email us at clientaccessibility@scotiabank.com 00:26:41.109 --> 00:26:45.429 which you can find on our Client Accessibility page. 00:26:46.498 --> 00:26:52.024 [Anselmo]: In December 2020, Scotiabank announced that COVID-19 00:26:52.024 --> 00:26:59.304 had accelerated building out accessibility services 00:26:59.304 --> 00:27:10.116 for online banking. We asked Monica about this. 00:27:11.310 --> 00:27:17.315 The past year I established the Enterprise Accessibility Office and 00:27:17.315 --> 00:27:21.160 I am the director responsible for that office. 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:24.752 We have a team providing support for customers with disabilities and 00:27:24.752 --> 00:27:29.135 making sure they have support services in place. 00:27:29.135 --> 00:27:33.918 Specifically on our team we have an employee who focuses on consumer 00:27:33.918 --> 00:27:39.032 accessibility, managing and monitoring different feedback 00:27:39.032 --> 00:27:47.038 channels, reviewing, analyzing and making sure Enterprise level 00:27:47.038 --> 00:27:52.753 services are available regardless if it is a bank in Saskatchewan or 00:27:52.753 --> 00:27:58.870 Newfoundland, we are prepared to put in systems and provide 00:27:58.870 --> 00:28:05.027 appropriate accommodations to meet these consumer needs. 00:28:05.027 --> 00:28:07.459 We are still expanding and building out the support network now, 00:28:07.459 --> 00:28:09.245 the service, technology and solutions that 00:28:09.245 --> 00:28:11.516 allow us to provide appropriate services. 00:28:15.354 --> 00:28:24.268 What we do have an App Help Center; we take some self-help articles 00:28:24.268 --> 00:28:28.891 and provide sign language translations. 00:28:28.891 --> 00:28:33.716 We worked with CHS to create help articles, that was from one 00:28:33.716 --> 00:28:40.594 partnership we were doing with Inclusive Design & Research Center 00:28:40.594 --> 00:28:49.559 at a university on what does accessible inclusiveness look like. 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:53.274 We heard from a small business owner who is Deaf who wanted us 00:28:53.274 --> 00:28:59.432 to distribute information in their primary language, sign language. 00:28:59.432 --> 00:29:06.400 We conducted a pilot and launched the help articles in ASL. 00:29:16.576 --> 00:29:22.414 [Anselmo]: How do you get feedback on Deaf accessibility? 00:29:23.205 --> 00:29:28.296 Through our employee resource group at our bank, the disabled 00:29:28.296 --> 00:29:35.801 employees resource group, they advise and provide connections with 00:29:35.801 --> 00:29:38.725 different community partners and individuals who are Deaf 00:29:38.725 --> 00:29:41.737 or have hearing loss, I invited some of them 00:29:41.737 --> 00:29:42.900 to join some of our usability studies. 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:50.163 [Anselmo]: How will the federal Accessible Canada Act (ACA) 00:29:50.163 --> 00:29:53.274 impact Scotiabank? 00:29:53.674 --> 00:29:58.470 Federal, yes we are federally regulated as a private banking 00:29:58.470 --> 00:30:02.674 organization. Scotiabank is within jurisdiction of 00:30:02.674 --> 00:30:07.571 the Accessible Canada Act so it applies. 00:30:07.571 --> 00:30:10.733 We recognize that it creates a barrier free country for all people 00:30:10.733 --> 00:30:13.585 with disabilities as an actual human right. 00:30:13.585 --> 00:30:17.084 We incorporated accessibility in our commitments 00:30:17.084 --> 00:30:21.958 to our customers even before ACA. 00:30:21.958 --> 00:30:26.847 We have worked to make accessibility a part of our process and 00:30:26.847 --> 00:30:32.410 plans even starting projects as part of our business accessibility 00:30:32.410 --> 00:30:39.862 regulations. For example, in meeting requirements of the AODA 00:30:39.862 --> 00:30:44.452 which applies to us, we adopted a plan and policies to include many 00:30:44.452 --> 00:30:51.111 requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 00:30:51.111 --> 00:30:57.218 our accessibility plan which is printed publicly on our website 00:30:57.218 --> 00:31:02.968 creates foundations for building an accessibility plan for ACA. 00:31:02.968 --> 00:31:07.328 We are creating the ACA accessibility center of excellence, 00:31:07.328 --> 00:31:11.087 and started developing strategies for building community 00:31:11.087 --> 00:31:17.588 partnerships, that is some of the actions we are taking to prepare 00:31:17.588 --> 00:31:23.744 for the Accessible Canada Act legislation when the regulations 00:31:23.744 --> 00:31:31.461 are implemented. One thing we will do this year, we will put out 00:31:31.461 --> 00:31:39.260 strategies on how to co-create our accessibility plan with consumers 00:31:39.260 --> 00:31:42.703 with disabilities and welcome inputs from the Deaf 00:31:42.703 --> 00:31:46.713 community for those plans. 00:31:47.403 --> 00:31:52.477 [Anselmo]: What about hiring disabled or Deaf people? 00:31:53.527 --> 00:32:01.280 On November 16, 2020 Scotiabank's CEO announced the launch of new 00:32:01.280 --> 00:32:07.148 diversity inclusion goals to strengthen diversity 00:32:07.148 --> 00:32:09.851 of our employees within five years. 00:32:09.851 --> 00:32:13.701 One goal is to increase the representation of people with 00:32:13.701 --> 00:32:18.173 disabilities by 20% by the year 2025. 00:32:18.173 --> 00:32:21.717 These goals are inclusive of all applicants who self-identify 00:32:21.717 --> 00:32:24.273 as a person with disability including a person who is 00:32:24.273 --> 00:32:25.900 Deaf or hard of hearing. 00:32:26.318 --> 00:32:29.338 [Anselmo]: Thanks Monica. 00:32:29.338 --> 00:32:32.036 Thank you for watching DeafDots. 00:32:32.036 --> 00:32:40.500 Please send your news suggestions through our website www.DeafDots.ca 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:47.172 or email to news@deafdots.ca 00:32:47.172 --> 00:32:56.200 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and follow DeafDots to get new video updates!