Resources
Resources
1. Emergency & Crisis Support
- Text-to-911 or TTY 911 – Available in some BC regions. Check with your local police or emergency dispatch.
- BC Crisis Centre – Deaf Access
- WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre – Free crisis support and counseling with Deaf-friendly services
- HealthLink BC (8-1-1) – Medical advice available through Video Relay Service (VRS)
2. Deaf & DeafBlind Services
- SRV Canada VRS (Video Relay Service)
- Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility
- Provincial Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (PDHHS)
- Deafblind Community Services (BC) – Currently limited; check with Wavefront or DWP for support
3. Interpreting Services
- Wavefront Centre Interpreting Services
- Sign Language Interpreting Associates Vancouver (SLIAO)
- Still Interpreting Inc.
- Medical Interpreting Support (PDHHS or Vancouver Coastal Health)
Booking information available via PDHHS or www.vch.ca - How to Use VRS and VRI (Video Remote Interpreting) – See tutorials at srvcanadavrs.ca
4. Education & Learning
- ASL Classes & Programs – Offered through local colleges or Deaf instructors (e.g. Douglas College, Vancouver Community College)
- Online ASL Learning Tools
- ASL Nook
- Start ASL
- Deaf Culture & History Curriculum – Available through Canadian Deaf organizations and educators
- Scholarships for Deaf Youth
- Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD-ASC)
- Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA)
5. Legal & Advocacy Support
- Canadian Hearing Services – Advocacy Tools
- BC Human Rights Tribunal – Accessible complaint process and resources
- Disability Alliance BC – Legal aid and systemic advocacy
- Deaf Legal Advocacy – Check with CHS or Wavefront for legal referrals and interpreter support
6. Community Organizations
- BC Association of the Deaf (BCAD)
- DeafBC.com – Community news, job posts, and classifieds
- Deaf Well-Being Program (DWP)
- BC Deaf Sports Federation (BCDSF) – Athletics and recreation
- Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD-ASC)
7. Youth & Family Support
- Deaf Youth Today (PDHHS) – Youth programs, leadership, and events
- Camp Bowen – Outdoor programs for Deafblind youth
- Support for Families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children
- CHHA-BC
- Family Support Institute
8. Accessibility Tools
- Live Captioning Apps:
- Ava
- Google Live Transcribe
- Visual Emergency Alerts – Ask your local fire department or emergency services
- Hearing Aid & Cochlear Implant Support – Through Wavefront Centre
9. Health & Mental Wellness
- Deaf Well-Being Program (DWP) – Mental health counselling and outreach
- HealthLink BC (ASL Access) – Call 8-1-1 through VRS
- BC Psychological Association – Find ASL-friendly therapists
10. Deaf-Owned Businesses & Services
GVAD will begin highlighting Deaf-owned businesses in British Columbia.
- Directory Coming Soon! To be featured, please email us at info@gvad.ca.