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
• Salal Sexual Violence Support 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 – Booking information available via PDHHS or Vancouver Coastal Health
• 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:
  • 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 & ServicesGVAD will begin highlighting Deaf-owned businesses in British Columbia.

• Directory Coming Soon! To be featured, please email us at info@gvad.ca.