CILT’s Volunteer Vibes Volume 9, Issue 2 September 2007 Volunteer Program Update Please welcome Carling Barry as our newest volunteer. Carling is currently enrolled in her second year of the Disability Studies Program at Ryerson. She has had experience working with kids with disabilities, as well as adults. She has worked for REENA, the MS Society, Community Living, just to mention a few places. Suzette Yearwood will be returning at the end of this month. She’s been busy “taking care” of herself this summer, but is anxious to return. Miriam Chong continues to come in every Wednesday without fail. She is a fantastic asset to CILT staff. Gillian Sumi (who was here for a short while on Fridays throughout the summer months) has left to continue her studies at York. Mary Henderson continues to be available to assist us upon request. Making Connections: Social and Civic Engagement among Canadian Immigrants 25 April 2006 www.volunteercanada.ca Immigrants give larger donations, on average, than the Canadian-born population but they are slightly less likely to volunteer their time than people born in Canada, according to research by the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD). The research report (published April 2006) - “Making Connections: Social and Civic Engagement among Canadian Immigrants” - also shows that the rate of volunteering is increasing, particularly among recent immigrants. The study found the highest rate of volunteering among immigrants in Atlantic Canada (35%), followed by those in the Prairies (34%) and British Columbia (30%). Just over one-quarter of Ontario immigrants (28%) and 24% of immigrants in Québec volunteered their time in 2003. The participation rate in Québec was approximately the same for both immigrants and non-immigrants. The CCSD is an independent, non-profit, applied research organization that has been serving Canadians since 1920. The Council pays particular attention to economic security, child and family well-being, disability, and the non-profit and voluntary sector. This report and related material are available online only and not for purchase. They can be downloaded from the CCSD website: www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2006/makingconnections From: Canadian Council on Social Development Volunteer Projects Abroad Taken from World Volunteer Web: worldvolunteerweb.org About Us & Our Aims Where it all started: In the early 1990s some students wanted a break from study - a 'gap year', although the term wasn't yet in common use. They approached their geography professor about traveling and working in Eastern Europe. The professor, Dr Peter Slowe, had difficulty finding any opportunities for this kind of travel combined with work experience, so he set about arranging for his students to go and teach English in Romania, where he knew some fellow academics. This was how Projects Abroad began in 1992. Projects Abroad today Until 1997, we were a small organization with two part-time staff sending university students for work experience teaching placements in Eastern Europe. But with more and more people taking time out on academic and work-related breaks - and with many developing countries in need of self-funded volunteers - our organized volunteer programs have mushroomed around the world. Our volunteers now do a lot more than just teach English. We now have over 20 staff in our offices in Southern England - not far from the university where Peter Slowe (the geographer who founded Projects Abroad ) used to teach. With over 150 trained staff at our destinations, and offering over 100 generic placements and a wide choice within these placements, we are now the leading volunteer placement organization in the United States. The Global Economy and Cultural Exchange in the 21st Century As part of the global economy we help create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us - for example our management accountant is an MBA who works and lives in Mongolia! This local knowledge and support enables us to channel the skills of our volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about. "Last year, we channeled into less developed countries the energy, skills and commitment of some 2,000 volunteers - not to mention nearly £2 million and the spending power of volunteers while they are abroad. This is quite an achievement." Dr Peter Slowe, Founder & Director of Projects Abroad. Teaching in Peru Volunteers are needed to help teach English to high school children in the Sacred Valley region of Peru. We are based in the town of Urubamba, high in the Andes and we work in schools along the steep-sided valley from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. Projects Abroad Peru has a contract with the Ministry of Education that gives us the responsibility to develop the English curriculum for the Andean Region, making sure that the themes are relevant, the level is adequate and the learning interactive. Volunteers play an important role in this process and we try and ensure a level of continuity for the schools by having volunteers all year round. Most teaching work is done between 8am and 2pm, before returning to your host family to enjoy a late lunch which is the main meal of the day. Many volunteers also like to get involved in extra-curricular activities like sports or art. This works especially well in the smaller schools. During your first two weeks as a volunteer, you are guaranteed the opportunity to attend a teaching workshop at the Projects Abroad office to help with ideas and discuss teaching techniques. We also make sure that all volunteers have teaching resources available to them, like work-sheets and lists of topics covered by previous volunteers. During the summer holidays from January to March we run a scheme to train the local teachers to improve their teaching English techniques. This pioneering project has been hugely successful for the last two years and we need more people to sign up to help make the 2008 program equally productive. The schools are open from Monday to Friday, so weekends are free to relax or travel and explore the region. The biggest local attraction is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Most volunteers take time at the end of their placement to complete the hike, or, if hiking doesn’t appeal to you Machu Picchu is an easy day trip by train. The view of the great ruined city with its llamas and its famous cliff backdrop is not to be missed! No one can stop the rain: Relief efforts made possible by people like you © MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES (MSF) October 20, 2005 There are few among us who have not pondered the notion of doing some humanitarian work at some stage in our lives, but fewer still who have acted on the impulse. While many people think of giving something back to society, and many more volunteer locally or give to charity, few have actually embraced a mid-career challenge in a war-zone. Wei Cheng, a paediatric surgeon, and his wife Karin Moorhouse, a senior marketing executive for Nestlé Canada, left their comfortable lives to do just that. From his laboratory at The Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto, where he is now conducting medical research, Cheng, 47, cites the couple’s growing realization of the need to do something more meaningful with their lives. "We are often asked what possessed us to uproot everything and join Médecins Sans Frontières. In fact it was as university students in the early ‘80s that Karin and I first talked about making a more constructive contribution to humanity at some point in our lives. However like many people, we quickly became engrossed in our careers, and never seemed to find time to do more meaningful than pull out a chequebook for charity. We never thought it would take us 20 years to take the plunge, or that we would actually realize it together." Karin continues: "Our intentions never waned, until one day we realized that two decades had already slipped by, without having lived true to our promise. So after much debate, we surprised everyone and resigned." Together they joined Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and were assigned to war-torn Angola; a country embroiled in a bitter conflict that had lasted almost thirty years. The couple travelled to Kuito, the remnants of a provincial capital, at the heart of the country, with the unenviable reputation of being the world’s most heavily mined city. That a surgeon should join MSF is expected, but for Moorhouse, a VP of Marketing, the link is less evident. Yet as Moorhouse explains, MSF needs volunteers with a broad range of professional expertise to facilitate their field operations. "In Canada, about 50 per cent of MSF volunteers are non-medical. They include logisticians, water and sanitation specialists, nutritionists, administrators, and financial controllers. Of course MSF always needs doctors and nurses, but many others might think they don’t have the skills necessary to contribute. However many of the talents we typically put to work in a business or not-for-profit organization can make a real difference in a humanitarian effort." Moorhouse, 43, volunteered as a financial administrator, where she applied her extensive managerial experience to the demands of the project. Médecins Sans Frontières has evolved to become the largest independently- funded medical relief organization. It remains a volunteer organization and relies on ordinary citizens to commit time from their lives to its relief operations. In 2003, Cheng also volunteered during his vacation for a short emergency mission to war-torn Liberia. In carrying out humanitarian assistance, MSF volunteers also act as witnesses, speaking out about the plight of the populations for whom they work. Called ‘temoinage’ or ‘bearing witness’, this philosophy is central to MSF. It is in this spirit that Karin and Wei tell their story today: stories of ordinary Angolans who endured the misery of life in a war zone. The couple’s experiences have been captured in their recently published book, "No One Can Stop the Rain". The title is a tribute to the people of Angola, and the belief that peace would eventually prevail, even as the conflict raged for more than three decades. The book chronicles the couple’s work with civilians - victims of landmines and war, the malnourished and the displaced. They write sensitively about children like three-year-old Veronica, who was seriously injured when her young brother innocently picked up a discarded hand- grenade. He was killed instantly. They also mourn the senseless killing of Manuel Vitangui, their nurse-colleague, who was ambushed while collecting wounded. Each patient remembered by name; each story startlingly real. The couple’s meticulous documentation of day to day life is an amazing testament to human solidarity, but it also looks at why two career professionals from divergent cultural backgrounds (Cheng is from Beijing, while his wife is Australian), left their comfortable lives and professional engagements, to volunteer for Médecins Sans Frontières. "It is our hope that in reading this book, one could believe that the flickering light of humanity we witness almost daily in this world of conflict and tragedy, is not about to be extinguished, but rather can be given new energy through the efforts of ordinary people, like you and I," says Cheng. "It’s human nature to talk about things we will do 'one day'", adds Moorhouse. "This book also helps people realize that volunteering for a humanitarian organization can be done at many different stages in life. And the rewards are tremendous. The sheer resilience of ordinary Angolans, and their ability to endure in terrible circumstances touched us to the core. Our experience was both inspiring and humbling." From: Médecins Sans Frontières/Canada Disability Awareness Corner: “Deaf Culture” This list was adapted with permission from the following sources: Deaf Access Project Written Protocol prepared by the Peterborough YWCA. Starting Point: A Resource for Parents of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children and Vibes, Spring 1999, published by the Canadian Hearing Society of Toronto. Thanks to Amethya Weaver Klinic Community Health Centre for allowing us to excerpt from Women who Experienced Woman Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse: Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, Late Deafened and Oral Deaf. A Resource Manual for Service Providers, 1995. Springtide Resources is a United Way Member Agency Deaf Culture is a culture that celebrates sign language, deaf identity, values and traditions specific to the Deaf community. Deaf culture does not perceive hearing loss and deafness from a pathological point of view, but rather from a socio-cultural point of view, indicated by a capital “D” as in “Deaf” culture. Degree of hearing loss is not a determining factor in Deaf culture. Acceptance of the values of Deaf culture, involvement in the Deaf community and skill in sign language are its defining characteristics. Identity When some people hear about deaf or ‘hearing impaired’ persons, they assume that those people don’t hear. In reality, there is a wide diversity within this segment of the population. The most important thing to remember is that each deaf or hard of hearing person decides their identity and that sometimes that identity changes. For example, a person who grew up in a mainly speaking environment and later on joined the Deaf community and acquired signing skills, their identity would change from hard of hearing or oral deaf to Deaf. All these people employ various techniques to obtain information and to be aware of their environment such as: American Sign Language (ASL); speech; speech-reading; assistive listening devices; closed-captioning for their TV’s; flashing lights for door, baby’s cry, alarms, etc. Different Kinds of Deafness Hard of hearing describes a person who has a hearing loss that may range from mild to profound and whose usual means of communication is spoken language. Generally, these individuals supplement their residual hearing with speech-reading, hearing aids and technical devices. Oral Deaf describes those who grew up in a mainstreamed system with little or no exposure to Deaf Culture and ASL. Many of them integrate into the Deaf world when they are teenagers or young adults and identify themselves as part of the Deaf community. Many well- known Deaf leaders come from this background. Some describe themselves as bi-cultural. Late deafened describes adults who become deaf as a result of disease or genetics, at a later stage of life. Some women have been deafened as a result of partner assault. Late deafened individuals usually have no exposure to ASL or Deaf culture and the trauma of being deafened is greater than for those who are born deaf of hard of hearing. Deaf-blind describes people who have the combination of deafness and blindness, and are multi-sensory deprived. Persons who are deaf-blind have more severe communication difficulties than those who are deaf or blind. Culturally deaf-blind persons have been raised in Deaf Culture and use sign language or two-handed manual language to communicate when their vision is deteriorating. Deaf-blind people use intervenors to take them to places and “interpret” what is happening around them and what people are saying to the deaf-blind person. Treatment and support issues may be different for women who are deafened as a result of child abuse or assault than for women who became deaf from other causes. Service providers need to be sensitive to this possibility and should seek support when required. Telephones: TTY and Relay Services A TTY (teletypewriter) is a visual telephone that consists of a keyboard and a small display screen enabling someone to communicate over the phone lines via written messages. If both the caller and the receiver have a TTY, the call can take place directly, person to person. If you are a hearing person and would like to call a Deaf person and you don’t have a TTY machine, you can still communicate through a Bell Relay operator, using a toll-free number (1-800-855- 0511 in Canada – English calls). The operator acts as a communication link by typing what the hearing person says so that it appears as written text on the TTY screen, and voicing what the TTY user types. This can be a lengthy process and using a TTY is a better alternative where possible. It is crucial for crisis and shelter workers to know that if a Deaf woman is calling in a crisis situation she might use her first language (ASL) rather than English. She may use key words (i.e. upset-crying-trouble-hurry) to indicate she is experiencing abuse and may repeat a word (i.e. hit, hit, hit) to stress that the abuse is severe. This means that you should use short, clear, concise language when communicating with her. Be sure all the staff who answer the phone in your agency or organization are familiar using a TTY. Try to answer the TTY as quickly as possible or the Deaf person may hang up. (*see below) American Sign Language (ASL) ASL is a visual-gestural language with its own grammar and syntax distinct from English, used by Deaf people in Canada and the United States. Meaning is conveyed through signs that are composed of specific movements and shapes of the hands and arms, eyes, face, head and body posture. In Canada, there are two main sign languages: American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes quebecoise (LSQ). Statistics Canada states that nearly twice as many women as men “know” sign language. (Statscan) Interpreting Services The value of Interpreting services for women cannot be underestimated. A Visual Language (or sign language) Interpreter interprets ASL or LSQ. Languages include: ASL, LSQ, oral interpreting, and elements of gesture. When using Sign Language Interpreters, remember that a Deaf woman may feel that her confidentiality is in jeopardy because the Deaf community and the interpreter community are both very small. Deaf women may prefer to request an interpreter from outside of your community. This request must be respected. When is there a need for two interpreters? Any assignment that is longer than two hours, has a number of consumers involved who have differing communication modes or is complex, requires two sign language interpreters. Computerized Notetaking A computerized notetaker, sometimes called a “print interpreter”, summarizes what is spoken while still maintaining accuracy and the spirit and intent of the speaker. Notetakers tend to use a laptop computer with a standard keyboard and an overhead screen and/or TV. Real-time (verbatim) Captioning Uses a court reporting steno machine, coded to type verbatim text with minimal keystrokes. Fees are generally lower for notetaking than for real-time captioning. Both are support services requested by Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing consumers who prefer the print mode for their communication and participation needs. Assistive Listening Devices There are a number of wireless sound transmission systems on the market that are very helpful for hard of hearing and some late-deafened people. These Assistive Devices can be found at a local Canadian Hearing Society. Communicating with a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Woman You can check out with a woman about how she wants to communicate with you by asking her or by giving her a checklist of options including: * Does she prefer to write or speak? Yes or No If she decides to use her voice, do not assume that she can actually hear even with hearing aids on. Not all Deaf women wear hearing aids. * Does she sign? Yes or No Find a qualified interpreter to interpret for you both. * Does she prefer to write down the information on paper? Yes or No or Use a laptop computer? Yes or No CILT News Article taken from Sandra Carpenter’s speech from CILT’s 2007 AGM. Each year, CILT recognizes the significant contribution of an individual who both exemplify and have advanced IL philosophy in the spirit of its founders. This year’s Founder’s Award was presented to Marcia Rioux. Dr. Marcia Rioux is Professor and Chair of the School of Health Policy at York University in Toronto, Canada, as well as Graduate Director of the Master of Arts (Critical Disability Studies). Dr. Rioux received her PhD from the law school at the University of California, Berkeley. Marcia has worked extensively with disability organizations in Canada and internationally. Before taking up her full-time appointment at York University, she served for 12 years as President of the Roeher Institute, a national research think tank. During this time the Roeher Institute completed the final evaluation study for the Direct Funding Pilot, responsible for helping us turn DF from a pilot, to a full fledged program. Marcia has published and consulted widely on disability and human rights and disability policy issues, both nationally and internationally. She works with scholars in human rights and in disability rights in Canada, with non- governmental organizations, with governments in Canada and internationally to develop policy directions, and with international bodies such as U.N specialized agencies (e.g. WHO, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Social Development Commission, UN Disability Office in New York). Her numerous publications include a Canadian atlas of literacy and disability and recent articles on the rights and freedoms of people with intellectual disabilities in Ontario, the Canadian political landscape of disability, and the connection between disability, human rights, and public policy. It is hard to believe one woman can do so much! When I got copies of her CV’s and various bio’s I was surprised at the sheer quantity of publications, presentations and other activities she leads. I know her mostly through the Summer Institutes she held at Roeher, a study she did on the Americans with Disabilities Act when I worked at Government, the 1997 evaluation of Direct Funding and as a fellow Board Member of the Canadian Abilities Foundation. I can’t remember when I first met Marcia. I feel like I’ve always known her and love our discussions when we have a chance to have one. Please join me in thanking and acknowledging all the Marcia has done to advance the cause of people with disabilities over the years. CILT’s Volunteer Vibes is a quarterly publication of the Peer Support Program. If you are interested in volunteering at C.I.L.T. please call Nancy to request a Volunteer Application Package. Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Inc. 205 Richmond Street West, Suite 605 Toronto, Ontario M5V 1V3 Tel: (416) 599-2458, extension 27 Fax: (416) 599-3555 TTY: (416) 599-5077 Email: cilt@cilt.ca or peervolunteer@cilt.ca Website: www.cilt.ca Volunteer Vibes is also available on audiotape. Articles on products, agencies or services are for information only and are not meant as endorsements. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors and may not reflect the views of CILT. CILT is a member of the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (CAILC) Supported by a Toronto Community Service Grant, United Way and Social Development Canada