1st-in-Canada program launching at UBC to support education, employment of deaf and hard of hearing people
In a Canadian first, the University of British Columbia has adapted its early childhood education program to support young people who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH).
The goal of the BC ECE Basic Certificate program is two-fold, according to a release UBC sent out Thursday—to support children with hearing disabilities, as well as adults who are DHH and struggling to find employment.
“The early years are a crucial period for language, learning and social development, yet a shortage of early childhood educators with the expertise to support these children means many do not receive care tailored to their learning needs,” the UBC statement reads.
“The ripple effects of early language deprivation can stretch into adulthood,” it continues.
Data by the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association shows the unemployment rate of people with hearing loss is 32 per cent higher than their fully-hearing counterpart.
Out of that total, only about one in five work full-time, according to CHHA, and 42 per cent are underemployed.
That’s why UBC says its new program will give priority to applicants who experience hearing loss, have a connection to the DHH community or have worked with young children with these specific needs before.
Applications for the September program are open from now until July 3.
After completing the two-year, part-time, hybrid program, graduates will be certified to work as early childhood educators anywhere in B.C.
Lisa Meneian, an educator with experience in early intervention with DHH children, co-developed the course and will be providing weekly support and mentorship to the program’s small cohort.
“Society in general benefits when we have Deaf and hard-of-hearing professionals in the workplace. It strengthens programs. And when we have Deaf and hard-of-hearing children in programs, it strengthens early-learning communities,” Meneian said in the UBC release.
She also highlighted the importance of adult role models for children who experience hearing loss.
Monika Lane, a Parksville mother who has two children who are deaf, as she herself is, says her eldest daughter has suffered due to the lack of specialized educational resources.
“We tried to get an early childhood educator who could work with her but there were none available,” Lane told UBC.
With no other options available, Lane’s daughter was put in a daycare where she was unable to communicate or interact with her peers or staff for a full year. Finally, the daycare received funding to hire an American Sign Language interpreter.
“My children – and other Deaf or hard-of-hearing children in this province – deserve to have early childhood educators who can fully support their language, learning and development needs,” said Lane.
The new program was developed in part thanks to a provincial fund as well as a grant from UBC’s education faculty and support from the school’s accessibility centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.