Two organizations dedicated to supporting individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind are teaming up in Sudbury to establish a joint hub in hopes of enhancing service accessibility throughout northern Ontario. Sensity, a non-profit organization assisting individuals who are deaf-blind, has opened its first physical office in Sudbury, sharing space with the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf at 1233 Paris St.
Deaf-blindness is a unique disability that involves both vision and hearing impairments, impacting how individuals receive information, communicate, and engage with their surroundings. The collaboration aims to serve as a central location for outreach, service navigation, referrals, and community involvement, as stated by Natalie Lamondin, the director of community services programs at the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf.
Lamondin emphasized that no single organization can fulfill all the needs within the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind communities. By joining forces, the organizations can pool their expertise to assist individuals and families in accessing the necessary support.
In regions like northern Ontario, where extensive distances can hinder access to specialized services, the demand for such connections is crucial. Limited internet connectivity in remote areas poses an additional challenge, especially for those who rely on virtual services or interpreters.
Cathy Proll, CEO of Sensity, highlighted that isolation resulting from physical distance can impede access to information, communication, and community engagement. Deaf-blindness is also considered a low-incidence disability, making it challenging to develop local expertise, recruit trained personnel, and connect affected individuals and families with others who comprehend their situations.
Sensity’s primary service involves providing intervenors – trained professionals who assist individuals who are deaf-blind in accessing information, communicating, and navigating their environments. Proll emphasized that support and communication methods are tailored to each individual’s unique experience of deaf-blindness.
The ultimate aim is to empower individuals with the necessary information and access to make their own decisions and lead independent lives. Sensity presently supports approximately 10 individuals in northern Ontario through its adult services, with expectations of increasing the need for assistance in the future.
Proll expressed the organization’s commitment to expanding its presence in the region by offering more local training and strengthening community partnerships. The new Sudbury office is viewed as a vital tool for fostering a larger initiative that prioritizes creating a supportive and inclusive environment for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind communities in northern Ontario.
Overall, the vision is to establish a strong sense of connection and support among these communities, ensuring individuals feel welcomed, understood, supported, and connected in northern Ontario.