First time in 77 years: No CHS ‘May Month’

For the past 77 years the passionate and dedicated staff at the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) have broken down barriers to communication and planned numerous events celebrating May Month.

However, for May Month 2017, no events have been planned.

May Month has traditionally been a month that CHS managers and staff have worked all over Ontario to raise awareness supporting deaf, deafened and hard of hearing individuals. For the first time in 77 years there has been no proclamations, no training being offered, no health fairs and no community education.

There is hope! We need to settle this contract NOW. If this strike is resolved in an expedient fashion staff, then CHS staff can provide community education, support the thousands who have gone without services since March 6, provide counselling services, help find employment, provide quality interpreting in a variety of settings (especially to those facing “end of life issues”).

Community events could be restored if this strike is settled.

CHS staff could be participating in events in many regional offices throughout Ontario.

CHS staff could be hosting open houses, attending community events, giving presentations and raising awareness of communication devices and services to support consumers.

May Month is a reminder for me that it is the month that I passionately encouraged all our staff to advocate, educate and support our communities. Over this month will be reminded how much they all worked (without complaining lugging all those devices). I will recall the numerous presentations and workshops they delivered highlighting how technology, changing societal attitudes and reminding us how legislation has contributed to increased communication avenues for all people, including people who are deaf, hard of hearing and hearing. During this month I will recall the hundreds of kilometres they put on their vehicles letting our communities know that text and video messaging, email, and improved hearing aid and communication device technology have made communication easier than ever before. Yet today I sit here saddened because many consumers still encounter barriers to communication today. Why? Because CHS is still on strike.

CUPE 2073 has organized rallies, meet with politicians funders all to no avail. I ask you WHY? It is a question I have struggled with since March 6. I pray there is an end in sight so all who have faced barriers and unable to access services can access. Maggie Doherty-Gilbert Peterborough