Canada 
Category
- 🏢 Organizations
- ♿ Accessibility
- 📖 Education
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Organizations
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Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) is a prominent national organization in Canada that has been championing the rights and interests of the deaf community since its establishment in 1940. CAD is dedicated to advocating for accessible communication, equal opportunities, and the preservation of deaf culture and sign language. Through its advocacy efforts, programs, and partnerships, CAD plays a pivotal role in advancing the well-being and inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals across the country.
- Founded: 1940
- Website: cad-asc.ca
- In French, Association des sourds du Canada (ASC)
Sign Language Dictionaries
- Current sign language in Canada Deaf Community is American Sign Language (ASL).
- Current sign language in Quebec Deaf Community is Quebec Sign Language.
- In French, Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).
| Language | Name | Type | Link | Free/Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL | American Sign Language Dictionary | Book | amazon.ca | Paid |
| ASL | ASL THAT! | Video | facebook.com | Free |
| ASL | HandSpeak | Video | handspeak.com | Free |
| ASL | Lifeprint | Video | lifeprint.com | Free |
| ASL | The Canadian Dictionary of ASL | Book | amazon.ca | Paid |
| ASL | SignASL.org | Video | signasl.org | Free |
| ASL | SpreadTheSign | Video | spreadthesign.com | Free |
| LSQ | CB Linguistic Services | Video | lexiquelsq.ca | Free |
Elementary/Secondary/High Schools
| Name | Location | Language | Link | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta School for the Deaf | Edmonton, Alberta | English, ASL | Website | |
| British Columbia Provincial School for the Deaf | Burnaby, British Columbia | English, ASL | Website | |
| École oraliste de Québec | Québec City, Québec | French, Oral | Website | |
| Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf | Milton, Ontario | English, ASL | Website, TwitterX | |
| Permanently closed | ||||
| Institut Raymond-Dewar | Montreal, Quebec | French, LSQ | Website | |
| Mackay Centre & Philip E. Layton School | Montréal, Québec | English, ASL | Website | |
| Manitoba School for the Deaf | Winnipeg, Manitoba | English, ASL | Website | |
| Montreal Oral School for the Deaf | Westmount (Montréal), Québec | English, Oral | Website | |
| Permanently closed | ||||
| Permanently closed | ||||
| Robarts School for the Deaf | London, Ontario | English, ASL | Website | |
| Saskatchewan School for the Deaf | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | English, ASL | Website | |
| Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf | Belleville, Ontario | English, ASL | Website, TwitterX |
To see detail of the school, please visit province page on the sidebar.
Post Secondary Education Programs
| Name | Location | Language | Type | Link/Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Upgrading Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults at George Brown College | Toronto, Ontario | English, ASL | Govt-funded Upgrade Program | georgebrown.ca |
| Deaf Empowerment Program at Mohawk College | Hamilton, Ontario | English, ASL | Govt-funded Upgrade Program | mohawkcollege.ca |
To see detail of the school, please visit province page on the sidebar.
Government-funded program do not accept international student unless you are Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person in Canada (with notice of decision).
Video Relay Services
Video Relay Service (VRS) is a telecommunications service that enables Deaf/HoH individuals to communicate with others over the phone by using sign language interpreters via video calls.
| Name | Platform | Signup |
|---|---|---|
| SRV Canada VRS | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows | srvcanadavrs.ca |
IP Relay Services
IP relay service is a telecommunications service that allows Deaf/HoH individuals to communicate over the phone by using text-based messages.
| Phone Carrier | Platform | Signup |
|---|---|---|
| Bell IP Relay | Web (Home phone subscribers), Web (Mobility subscribers), iOS, Android |
bell.ca OR myiprelay.bell.ca |
| CCAP IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | iprelay.ccapcable.com |
| Cogeco IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | iprelay.cogeco.com |
| Eastlink IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | iprelay.eastlink.ca |
| Fido IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | fido.ca |
| Fizz IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | iprelay.fizz.ca |
| Freedom Mobile IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android |
iprelay.freedommobile.ca OR freedommobile.ca (form) |
| Public Mobile IP Relay | Permanently closed | Permanently closed |
| Rogers IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | rogers.com |
| SaskTel IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | messagerelayip.sasktel.com |
| Shaw IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | iprelay.shaw.ca |
| Telus IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | iprelay.telus.net |
| Videotron IP Relay | Web, iOS, Android | iprelay.videotron.com |
Fido and Rogers are using same service on iprelayservice.net and they did not re-brand it.
All of IP Relay services are running by one company called viiz Communications There are no actual competitors! Also, they provied their stock and custom-brand apps for IP relay service on iOS and Android device but they are poorly optimized on modern phone and tablet and not following system-wide accessibility (size and screen reader) and modern standard design.
News
| Region | Name | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | DeafDots | DeafDots provides Canadian news in video with a Canadian focus, using American Sign Language. | Website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram |
Social Media Sites and Communities
| Name | Platform | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Cafe | Discord | discord.gg/UNCE23x |
Representation Deaf People and Culture
- Deaf Characters in Fiction (Updated Monthly) by S. Leigh Ann Cowan https://slacowan.com/2023/06/23/ranked-deaf-characters-in-fiction/
Films
| Name | Description | Where Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Children of a Lesser God | “Children of a Lesser God” is a romantic drama film released in 1986, starring William Hurt and Marlee Matlin. The film revolves around the complex relationship between a speech teacher at a school for the deaf and a young deaf woman who refuses to learn to speak, exploring themes of communication, understanding, and the challenges faced by the deaf community. | Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Amazon |
| CODA | “CODA” is a heartfelt and critically acclaimed 2021 film that explores the life of Ruby, a high school student who is the only hearing member in her deaf family. Through her journey as a CODA, Ruby navigates the challenges of balancing her responsibilities at home with her dreams of pursuing a career in music. | Apple TV Plus only |
| I See The Crowd Roar: The Story of William Dummy Hoy | “I See The Crowd Roar: The Story of William Dummy Hoy” is a compelling documentary that delves into the inspiring journey of the legendary deaf baseball player. Through archival footage and heartfelt interviews, the film captures the essence of Hoy’s life, his contributions to the sport, and his enduring impact on the deaf community and the game of baseball. | Apple TV/iTunes |
| The Silent Natural | “The Silent Natural” (2019) is a biographical drama that chronicles the life of William “Dummy” Hoy, a deaf baseball player who defied societal expectations and became a pivotal figure in the sport’s history. The film explores Hoy’s determination to break barriers, highlighting his remarkable achievements on and off the field while shedding light on the challenges he faced as a deaf athlete. | Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Hoopla |
TV Shows
| Name | Year | Description | Where Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaf U | 2020 | This reality series on Netflix provides a glimpse into the lives of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students at Gallaudet University, a renowned Deaf university in Washington, D.C. | Netflix |
| Switched at Birth | 2011-2017 | This series revolves around two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched at birth. One of the main characters, Daphne Vasquez, is Deaf, and the show prominently features American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture. | Apple TV, Google Play |