WEBVTT

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[Anselmo]: Hello! This is DeafDots,
28 May 2021.

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Bringing alerts & news reports at
intervals for all Deaf Canadians!

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[Anselmo]: What
is the announcement about?

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In British Columbia,

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Greater Vancouver Association
of the Deaf (GVAD) got a

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multicultural grant to fight racism in
Deaf and hard of hearing communities.

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How does the grant help?

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DeafDots asked Vinu Abraham and
Imran Hakamali for more details.

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You know hearing
people oppress Deaf people.

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But if Deaf white people also
oppress us IBPOC, that's double.

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It's disappointing that
they are not supportive.

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There are hearing people who
oppress IBPOC which I can understand

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but white Deaf people are even
worse oppressing us... degrading us.

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For example less
opportunities...

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for example among vlogs,

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most of them are by white Deaf vloggers,
many of them.

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And there isn't
many IBPOC vlogs.

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In America black, IBPOC and
indigenous people vlog a lot.

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Unlike here in Canada.

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Have you noticed it also?

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Yes, I also notice various
IBPOC students enter ASL classes,

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some are from here,
and others are immigrants.

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When they ask a white teacher
how to sign the word "naan",

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the white teacher would say ugh,
spell the word "naan".

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The Indian food "naan".

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But if you have
an IBPOC teacher,

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he will do the sign
for "naan".

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If you have different teachers,

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it would be nice if they
could learn the signs.

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[Anselmo]: What kind of
experiences have you had in

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dealing with racism?

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Yes. The first time I
experienced racism in BC, Canada

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was when I moved here to enter
university as an international student,

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I had issues related
to accessibility...

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getting interpreters
was difficult.

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When I asked people in the
Deaf community how I could book

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interpreters as international
students have to pay...

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some people in the Deaf community
said "why should we pay taxes for

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you to get free would be
unfair for international students.

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Not fair as you are an
international student..."

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They asked me why
international students moved here

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and if it was
cheaper here?

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I was offended with
their misassumptions.

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I informed them that international
students actually pay double

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the cost than
local students.

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For example we must pay
for one semester $6,000.

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Six thousand dollars?

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Yes, $6,000 for 4 courses...

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compared to local students
in BC who pay much less.

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They were surprised.

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What do I say?

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I had to deal with the lack
of access to interpreters.

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When taking classes at Gallaudet,
they provide interpreters.

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No one complains yet here
they complain that international

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students complained
of having to pay.

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That was my
experience facing racism.

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Do you want to share yours?

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I see,
there is one story I must share...

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I was born in Canada
and grew up here...

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my passport is Canadian,
born in Calgary.

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When I go to the U.S.,

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they question me
because I am Muslim,

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making me nervous.

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When I went to Gallaudet,

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they asked questions
which were stressful.

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When I returned to Canada,

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I thought it would be less
here but actually it was worse.

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Why? When entering Canada
standing in line at the border,

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I feel nervous approaching them
and writing notes back and forth.

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They would ask questions even though
my passport had all the information.

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They kept questioning
me even with long

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line of people behind me.

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I wrote back and forth until
they asked what work I do.

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I told them I was a teacher which
apparently impressed them as they

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signed the passport
and let me through.

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When I turned around there
were no one standing in line.

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This frustrates me,
that is racism!

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When traveling to Canada,
or the U.S.,

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I have to tolerate
at the border.

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[Anselmo]: What
led you both to apply

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for the multiculturalism grant?

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It all started when GVAD asked
me if I wanted to become an IBPOC

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representative for GVAD.

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I hesitated as
wasn't ready for it.

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Then when the BLM
protests took place,

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I felt its impact and looked
around wondering if the IBPOC

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community were experiencing
racism in Canada... here in BC?

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I had thoughts and then GVAD
contacted me again proposing to

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set up IBPOC effort.

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I thought it over
and decided Yes,

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I believe instead
of talking about it,

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we need to take action to reduce
racism and oppression in BC.

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So now we are here to provide
workshops and education to stop or

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reduce racism in BC.

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[Anselmo]: They mentioned Forrest Smith,
president of GVAD.

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He was the one who made
it possible to get the grant.

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How did GVAD get involved?

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[Forrest]: A few years ago,

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I did a vlog “Racism still
exist in Deaf Community?”

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which raised some buzz,
and had to be removed.

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Then the BLM movement came and
many started clicking “like” on

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social media to express
themselves but no action was done.

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I felt the time had come to
establish the Deaf Inclusion

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and Diversity Leadership
Council of BC to focus on IBPOC.

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I contacted and
got people together.

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Vinu and Imran both become
co-chairs to start building an alliance.

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I then stepped back.

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Last November,

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we were able to make
huge impact when CSP,

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the Council of Service
Providers with about 40 members,

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each representing
different organizations:

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medical, sign, interpreting services,
job counselors

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and so forth who are
primarily white stakeholders

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agreed to add presentation
from Vinu and Imran

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to give a brief 20 minute presentation
that was powerful and compelling.

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Most of the CSP members realized
their own organizations needed to

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reach out and work with
DIDLC who is developing

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training materials on racism,

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inclusion and hiring
of more IBPOC.

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The time has come -
its 2021 - to get going.

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I’m happy Imran and Vinu
are working hard to build…

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yes at beginning there
were ups and downs,

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but it will become a
tree with roots for IBPOC.

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It is important to note that we
are excited about launching DIDC,

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the IBPOC Council of BC.

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The goal is workshops,
events and educating white people

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and how we could collaborate on
more opportunities.

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For example white
people are at higher level;

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let’s bring IBPOC up
to the same level to be fair.

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The goal is for everyone to feel
safe in sharing and learning goals,

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the goal is to get along and
for the IBPOC not to suffer.

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It's time to put both
on equal footing now.

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[Anselmo]: DIDLC will use the
multicultural grant of $10,000

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from BC Government
to conduct workshops,

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education & training and other
ways focusing on anti- racism

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in BC for up to
one year.

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[Anselmo]: In Alberta,
a government agency oversees gaming,

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liquor and cannabis
industries in the province.

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This agency, called "Alberta Gaming,
Liquor and Cannabis" (AGLC)

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uses a charitable gaming model.

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They license and regulate
charitable gaming with proceeds

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invested back in
Alberta's communities.

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Does AGLC give funds to
Deaf groups or agencies?

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We asked Victoria Meusel with AAD
- Alberta Association of the Deaf.

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[Victoria]: A few Deaf
organizations have charity from

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AGLC and can use its
funds for specific expenses,

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for example operations,
lease of office space,

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give out donations or scholarships,
and resources.

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[Anselmo]: In 2019-2020,

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charitable organizations in
Alberta earned $321 million to

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support programs and
services for Albertans.

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During the 2018-2020 year,

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we found at least 10 Deaf
organizations who received AGLC funding:

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[Anselmo]: These Deaf groups got
AGLC funds in different categories:

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Medical/health Aid
& Relief Groups,

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Sports Groups or
Aid of the Distressed.

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[Victoria]: In the casino
pool in the City of Edmonton,

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AGLC draws from 225 organizations
and puts them in separate pool groups.

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We need to recruit 30
volunteers to set up schedules

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over two days from
morning to evening,

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overnight into the next day.

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[Anselmo]: What can
AGLC funds be used for,

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and cannot be used for?

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[Victoria]: AAD's objective
needs to fit AGLC's criteria

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required to
use game proceeds.

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Funds cannot be used, for example,
for transportation or food.

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[Anselmo]: How much money
does each group get from AGLC,

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is it permanent funding?

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[Victoria]: On the average
about $75,000 goes to

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each organization
every 18 months.

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It comes from the pool.

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Every two years we prepare
our casino project budget

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and how to
use these funds.

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[Anselmo]: Has COVID-19
impacted charitable funding?

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[Victoria]: Our AAD casino funding
pool was supposed to be this year

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around summer-fall but due
to the impact of COVID-19,

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it has been frozen.

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It is hard to predict when
the Casino will reopen,

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and when?

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[Anselmo]: This is
a wonderful concept.

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Each province handles
gambling in different ways.

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In Ontario,
for example,

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the Ontario Lottery and Gaming
Corporation (OLG) says they

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generated $100 million
annually for charities since 1999.

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These funds are redistributed
through Ontario Trillium Foundation.

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In BC, the British Columbia
Lottery Corporation (BCLC)

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allocates $140 million in
community gaming grants

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to range of non-profit
organizations.

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We know of at least two
Deaf organizations who

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receive their Community
Gaming Grants -

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Greater Vancouver
Association of the Deaf (GVAD),

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and BC Deaf Sports
Federation (BCSDF).

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If you are with an organization
needing to raise funds,

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you may want to investigate
possible grants through the local

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gaming regulatory
organization in your province.

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[Anselmo]: We had our first “DeafDots
Live” online discussion on May 16th.

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We collaborated with Canada
Deaf Grassroots Movement (CDGM)

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to give Deaf Canadians
opportunity to participate in

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discussion of Canada
Video Relay Service.

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Nicole, could you give us update
on what’s happening with CAV-ACS?

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[Nicole]: On March
26th DeafDots,

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we reported that CRTC was accepting
comments - Review of video relay service.

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They announced a
deadline of June 9th.

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After deaf individuals,

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groups and also CAV-ACS
themselves filed requests,

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the deadline was
extended to July 5th.

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DeafDots and CDGM co-hosted
the first “DeafDots Live” live

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streaming online discussion to
compile and submit comments to

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CRTC but they also emphasize
individuals still should submit

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comments directly to CRTC.

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DeafDots asked other Deaf
organizations what steps they had

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taken on this important
CRTC notice of consultation:

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[Elliott]: The three
organizations -

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Ontario Association of the Deaf,
Newfoundland Association of the Deaf,

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and DAANS, Deafness
Advocacy Association Nova Scotia -

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all 3 of us plan to do
the following:

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collect feedback if
VRS is good or bad

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from people
who live in Nova Scotia,

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Newfoundland and Labrador,
and Ontario.

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We plan to host a Town hall
on zoom and once completed,

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the three groups
jointly will compile,

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sign and submit to CRTC.

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Signers are dependent
on use of VRS,

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without VRS survival
is not possible.

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ASL users will always expect
improvements in VRS in order to

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accommodate their needs.

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[Kimberly]: Deaf consumers
are still suffering with hearing

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people hanging up
thinking the call is a scam,

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overreacting to
interpreters being third party,

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it is a constant struggle and
we need CRTC and CAV to make

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necessary changes and increased
awareness for better access for all...

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ease of connectivity to VRS
and optimal interactions with

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hearing people at the other end no matter
who they are... with doctors or lawyers...

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for ease of communication,
feeling contented,

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calm and at ease instead of
struggling and feeling frustrated

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and calls getting disconnected,
hang-ups and so forth...

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we all need to continue to
increase awareness in advocating

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with CRTC to make sure they are
aware and understand our needs and

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what CAV should
be going forward.

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Now with the CAV board...

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do we have enough Deaf
representation on the board

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to make the difference?

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[Wissam]: These proceedings
have specific questions,

00:22:25.544 --> 00:22:30.946
and you can also find ASL & LSQ
signed versions of the questions.

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They want your opinions and your
feedback if you are satisfied with

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VRS through interpreters.

00:22:38.733 --> 00:22:40.526
Is everything ok,

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or do you prevent obstacles
or inappropriate service?

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Or are you satisfied,

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these items you should send to
CRTC - can be from organizations

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or as individuals.

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Across Canada,

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I am seeing Deaf communities
actively responding which is great.

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The more voices,
the stronger where we stand.

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CAD-ASC will launch five Town
Halls June 1, 2, 3 & 4 and June 13.

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For more information,

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you can go to
CAD-ASC's Facebook.

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The Town Hall is an opportunity
to discuss your feedback and ask

00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:34.561
questions on anything
you are unclear on.

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[Anselmo]: The key point is:

00:23:41.034 --> 00:23:51.015
CRTC launched CAV-ACS
to run Canada VRS.

00:23:51.094 --> 00:23:58.997
For the last five years
if you had complaints,

00:23:58.997 --> 00:24:05.837
you would contact 9050 Support.

00:24:05.837 --> 00:24:22.582
CRTC does not get any information
related to reports made to 9050 Support.

00:24:22.662 --> 00:24:32.312
Now they are giving you
the opportunity to share your

00:24:32.312 --> 00:24:44.384
comments directly with them
without going through CAV-ACS.

00:24:44.384 --> 00:24:53.868
If you want CRTC to hear
directly from VRS users

00:24:53.949 --> 00:25:02.733
on specific
concerns and thoughts,

00:25:02.733 --> 00:25:16.078
it is to our benefit to take a
few minutes of your time to send

00:25:16.078 --> 00:25:23.703
written or signed
comments to CRTC.

00:25:23.703 --> 00:25:32.850
But remember,
the deadline is July 5th!

00:25:45.443 --> 00:25:54.432
[Anselmo]: Do we have enough sign
language interpreters in Canada?

00:25:54.432 --> 00:26:05.235
Sign language interpreters for legal,
medical, video relay service,

00:26:05.235 --> 00:26:13.662
community, education and
video remote interpreting (VRI).

00:26:13.662 --> 00:26:21.682
DeafDots spoke with a sign
language interpreting expert who

00:26:21.682 --> 00:26:28.735
gave many insights into
the sign interpreting field.

00:26:29.488 --> 00:26:33.730
[Rick]: Hello,
I'm Rick Zimmer,

00:26:33.730 --> 00:26:37.383
I am coordinator of ASL
& Deaf Studies program

00:26:37.426 --> 00:26:43.211
and also the ASL-English
Interpreting program

00:26:43.253 --> 00:26:47.829
at Red River College (RCC) in
Winnipeg,

00:26:47.863 --> 00:26:52.230
I have worked there for more
than 30 years teaching ASL,

00:26:52.230 --> 00:26:57.515
Deaf Culture, Deaf History,
and some Interpreting.

00:26:58.016 --> 00:27:04.522
[Anselmo]: How many interpreter
training programs do we have in Canada?

00:27:05.023 --> 00:27:09.325
[Rick]: How many interpreter
training programs across Canada?

00:27:09.325 --> 00:27:12.108
There used to be 12
but now there are 6:

00:27:12.135 --> 00:27:16.414
Nova Scotia, Quebec,
Ontario, Manitoba,

00:27:16.414 --> 00:27:19.417
Alberta,
and British Columbia.

00:27:19.417 --> 00:27:20.537
That's all.

00:27:21.290 --> 00:27:24.848
[Anselmo]: How do I
know

00:27:24.892 --> 00:27:30.296
if an interpreter
training program is good?

00:27:30.549 --> 00:27:35.786
[Rick]: It's important that it
has Deaf staff and teachers.

00:27:35.786 --> 00:27:39.624
There should be several,
not just one.

00:27:39.624 --> 00:27:44.410
The flow of information and
exchange between cultures,

00:27:44.410 --> 00:27:50.280
insights and how languages work
together for greater understanding

00:27:50.280 --> 00:27:52.820
is vital for sharing ideas.

00:27:53.072 --> 00:27:56.823
[Anselmo]: Any other tips?

00:27:57.326 --> 00:28:02.989
[Rick]: It is important to make
sure that the interpreting program

00:28:02.989 --> 00:28:08.217
has hearing and Deaf teams
working to teach classes together.

00:28:08.217 --> 00:28:10.068
Why two teachers?

00:28:10.068 --> 00:28:15.383
It is critical as sometimes the
hearing person never thinks of

00:28:15.383 --> 00:28:20.349
something but the Deaf person
has a different perspective.

00:28:20.349 --> 00:28:25.336
Here is an example:
students go to Home Depot.

00:28:25.336 --> 00:28:27.949
While interpreting,

00:28:27.949 --> 00:28:34.222
the hearing person applauds
the interpreter for describing

00:28:34.222 --> 00:28:37.111
something using his arms.

00:28:37.111 --> 00:28:41.958
The Deaf person looks puzzled
trying to understand what is being said.

00:28:41.984 --> 00:28:43.721
What was good that was said?

00:28:43.721 --> 00:28:46.980
It turns out the conversation
was about lighting.

00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:51.121
Actually the interpreter must
first say "you know lighting..."

00:28:51.121 --> 00:28:53.383
before describing
with your arms.

00:28:53.383 --> 00:28:55.806
The hearing person thought
he interpreted correctly

00:28:55.827 --> 00:28:57.667
when he
couldn't follow.

00:28:57.688 --> 00:28:59.810
Oh, lighting! Say it first!

00:28:59.810 --> 00:29:01.139
Just as an example.

00:29:02.391 --> 00:29:09.405
[Anselmo]: These 6 interpreter training
programs you mentioned across Canada,

00:29:09.405 --> 00:29:14.498
some offer diploma and others
a Bachelors in Interpreting.

00:29:14.498 --> 00:29:18.407
What does it take to
become an interpreter?

00:29:19.157 --> 00:29:23.033
[Rick]: Often many
interpreters would graduate

00:29:23.065 --> 00:29:27.950
and think they don't need to
pursue ASL studies further,

00:29:27.950 --> 00:29:30.833
only while on the job to get by.

00:29:30.833 --> 00:29:33.717
Having that attitude
must change.

00:29:33.717 --> 00:29:38.214
They should actually keep
learning for advancement to

00:29:38.214 --> 00:29:40.736
further refine their skills.

00:29:40.736 --> 00:29:45.601
Just like legal and medical...
but that is not all.

00:29:45.601 --> 00:29:50.098
Communicating within the
Deaf community is different,

00:29:50.098 --> 00:29:52.044
here is different,

00:29:52.044 --> 00:29:58.796
you could take formal courses but
in the real world there is huge range

00:29:58.828 --> 00:30:02.509
and style of ASL that
requires getting acquainted in

00:30:02.509 --> 00:30:06.204
order to become a
more fluent interpreter.

00:30:06.204 --> 00:30:09.487
Take me, for instance,
I'm a Deaf person,

00:30:09.487 --> 00:30:11.374
you think I stop learning ASL?

00:30:11.374 --> 00:30:14.266
No, I'm continually
learning still!

00:30:14.266 --> 00:30:18.191
Because I observe others and take
on techniques to apply to my own

00:30:18.191 --> 00:30:21.633
skill development to sign
better and more fluently in ASL.

00:30:21.633 --> 00:30:24.112
An interpreter cannot
assume continually learning

00:30:24.134 --> 00:30:26.715
is not necessary beyond
graduation,

00:30:26.715 --> 00:30:28.476
they have to keep advancing.

00:30:28.476 --> 00:30:32.827
Often I see an interpreter
struggling when I'm asking and

00:30:32.827 --> 00:30:36.347
they stop me,
that shows they are not capable.

00:30:36.347 --> 00:30:39.098
They need professional
development.

00:30:39.098 --> 00:30:43.759
Meaning organizations across
Canada must start providing more

00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:47.280
workshops often rather
than just once a year,

00:30:47.280 --> 00:30:48.494
no!

00:30:49.747 --> 00:30:53.428
[Anselmo]: Thanks Rick,

00:30:53.428 --> 00:30:57.810
your insights is very helpful!

00:30:57.810 --> 00:31:05.942
With more accessibility or
disability laws already in place

00:31:05.942 --> 00:31:13.935
and more laws coming soon
through provincial accessibility

00:31:13.935 --> 00:31:19.778
legislation or the
Accessible Canada Act,

00:31:19.778 --> 00:31:33.638
we may face more challenges
and shortages of interpreters.

00:31:33.638 --> 00:31:43.516
With an estimated
34,000 Deaf Canadians,

00:31:43.516 --> 00:32:02.194
only 800 people are members of CASLI -
including students and non-interpreters.

00:32:02.285 --> 00:32:19.332
This is a serious matter Canada’s
Deaf Communities need to figure out.

00:32:21.338 --> 00:32:26.093
-Thank you for
watching this report.

00:32:26.093 --> 00:32:37.518
DeafDots welcomes
your news suggestions,

00:32:37.518 --> 00:32:53.267
please visit www.DeafDots.ca
or email to news@deafdots.ca

00:32:53.372 --> 00:32:56.089
Thank you!