Service loss sparks community action
Members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community on Vancouver Island are mobilizing to revive a critical service that was discontinued earlier this year. The Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC) shut down in March after funding from the provincial government was not renewed, leaving hundreds without access to interpretation, counseling, and assistive technology.
Funding challenges cited
Denise Robertson, executive director of IDHHC, said the centre could not sustain itself without long-term funding from the province. "We provided essential services for over 30 years, but without a stable financial commitment, we had no choice but to close," Robertson stated. The centre served approximately 1,200 clients annually.
Community rallying for revival
A grassroots campaign called "Hear Us Now" has formed, collecting over 2,000 signatures on a petition urging the provincial government to reinstate funding. Organizers plan to present the petition to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction next month. "We need the province to recognize that communication access is not a luxury—it's a right," said campaign lead Sarah Mitchell, who is deaf.
Impact on vulnerable populations
Without the centre, many deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have lost access to sign language interpreters for medical appointments, job interviews, and legal proceedings. The Vancouver Island Regional Library has reported a 40% increase in requests for ASL resources since the closure. Local audiologists warn that delayed interventions could worsen outcomes for children with hearing loss.
Provincial response
The Ministry of Social Development has acknowledged the petition but has not committed to restoring funding. In a statement, a spokesperson said the government is reviewing options to support accessibility services but did not provide a timeline. Meanwhile, the City of Victoria has offered temporary space for community meetups, but long-term solutions remain uncertain.
