Chance to work fulfills deafblind woman
Volunteers at coffee shop once a week with help from agency’s intervenor
Sarah Hensel’s volunteer job puts a smile on her face.
She’s always eager to work and relishes the social time with her co-workers.
The Peterborough resident also leaves Mr. Sub/Country Style with a sense of inclusion after each volunteer shift.
That’s because the 29-year-old is fulfilling her goal to be more involved in the community, meet new people and broaden relationships.
Hensel has congenital deafblindness, which, in her case, causes some hearing and vision loss.
After graduating from a deafblind high school in Brantford in 2009, Hensel returned to Peterborough, moving into a DeafBlind Ontario Services residence with 24-hour care.
DeafBlind Ontario Services works with about 75 deafblind citizens across Ontario, helping to increase their independence and improve their quality of life through specialized services.
DeafBlind Ontario Services provides “intervenors” for their clients, who act as their eyes and ears.
Miranda James is Hensel’s intervenor. She accompanies Hensel to work, supporting her as she cleans tables. Hensel started volunteering at Mr. Sub/Country Style on Highway 7 just east of the city in January and works on Tuesdays for about an hour.
James and Hensel communicate through sign language, but James is often able to read her client’s body language, too.
And when Hensel is at work, she’s happy, James said.
When Hensel arrives at Mr. Sub/ Country Style, she joyfully greets the staff, then grabs the cloth and spray bottle to get to work.
When she’s done, Hensel enjoys a tea and snack while she chats with staff members.
It’s a chance to contribute and socialize at the same time, James said, and that’s exactly what Hensel wanted to do.
Every 18 months, Deafblind Ontario Services intervenors meet with those closest to the client to talk about his/her future hopes, goals and dreams.
“It’s really focused on independence and helping the client gain their independence,” James said.
In Hensel’s last meeting, community engagement was top of the list.
Samantha Marren, DeafBlind Ontario Services communications co-ordinator, said community involvement is a natural goal for everyone, including those with disabilities.
That’s why inclusive hiring or volunteerism is so important, Marren added.
“Inclusive hiring practices really do provide that opportunity for individuals like Sarah to meet those goals and really get involved and be as independent as possible,” said Marren.
Prior to Mr. Sub/Country Style, Hensel volunteered at East Side Mario’s and enjoyed the restaurant atmosphere. So, when it came time to volunteer again, James and Hensel knew what direction to head..
Hensel’s volunteerism not only benefits her and the business, James said, but it also raises deafblind awareness.
June is National Deafblind Awareness Month. The CN Tower, the Toronto sign in Nathan Phillips Square and the two Toronto City Hall towers will all be lit up in blue on June 15.
As for Hensel’s role in the community, James said her client has a positive influence no matter where she is or what she’s doing.
“Everywhere Sarah goes she lights up the room so that’s benefitting people in itself.”
NOTE: The DeafBlind Ontario Services website is at www.deafblindontario.com