Deaf man shapes his path to independence

He learned candle making through DeafBlind Ontario Services

A local hearing-impaired candlemaker named Ben has established a successful livelihood as part of his journey toward independence.

Through the support of DeafBlind Ontario Services, Ben sought to increase his independence, confidence and personal development in order to chart out his own life path.

Originally from Newmarket, Ben moved to Peterborough to learn new life skills, while also being surrounded by support systems like DeafBlind Ontario. He is now living on his own in Peterborough and wants to provide a valuable service for the community by making and selling beeswax candles at local farmers markets.

Ben thought his unique beeswax products would be well-received, especially for those who enjoy candles but are allergic to the chemicals in conventional artificial ones.

He communicates through American Sign Language, with the help of his direct service person, which allows him to navigate his professional and everyday interactions.

“We believe that everyone has the right to decide their own future, to make their own decisions,” said DeafBlind Ontario’s CEO Roxanna Spruyt, “and to have all information given to them in their preferred mode of communication.”

In addition to candle making, Ben also enjoys going to the movies, exercising at his local YMCA, and learning about history. Fundamentally, he believes that learning about the challenges people faced in the past can help provide perspective for how people can approach their issues today.

DeafBlind Ontario Services is a charity which supports individuals who are Deaf, hard of

hearing, visually impaired, or deaf-blind.

The organization was founded in 1989 as a parental lobby group, which advocated for greater support to those with visual and hearing disabilities. Today, their mission is “enriching lives one touch and sign at a time.”

“Our goal is to deliver the highest quality service to individuals who need it,” said Karen Madho, senior co-ordinator of public relations for DeafBlind Ontario.

Over the past year, the pandemic and subsequent restrictions on physical contact forced DeafBlind Ontario to adapt its usual support services in new creative ways. These included new tactile activities such as guided virtual “trips,” preparing meals together with clients, and even organizing special dressup contests.

“I think it’s really important for people to understand that our clients can prefer to communicate in different and unique ways,” said Madho, “and we aim to accommodate their individual needs.”

DeafBlind Ontario was accredited during the pandemic last year, a testament to the important support services it provides throughout the province.