Independence through

MAYOR’S CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT IS IN FULL SWING

RICHMOND HILL – On behalf of the Mayor’s Charity Golf Committee, Mayor Dave Barrow announced that the recipient
charities of the 19th Annual Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament proceeds will be Bereaved Families of York Region, DeafBlind
Ontario Services and The Salvation Army.

“Although it’s not quite golf weather yet, over the past few months the Mayor’s Charity Golf Committee has already been busy
advertising, interviewing and selecting charities for the 2012 tournament being held on June 18,” said Mayor Barrow. “We have
selected charities that help Richmond Hill residents directly with their programs. Through the interview process it is evident
these charities are passionate about their mandates and bettering the lives of Richmond Hill residents!”

Bereaved Families of York Region is an association of families and individuals who provide volunteer bereavement support
services to children, teens, families and individuals grieving the death of a loved one. They strive to ensure that every individual
grieving a loss has access to caring and compassionate help through loss-specific support groups, one-on-one sessions,
telephone support, information packages, children's bereavement group and ‘Missing Pieces’ workshops for youth as well as
group facilitator training with its volunteers.

DeafBlind Ontario Services was founded in 1989 and is now the largest not-for-profit organization providing residential and other
specialized services to adults who are deafblind across the province. The organization provides its clients who are deafblind
with community-based housing, Intervenor services, independent living skills and work experience, enabling them to live more
independently.

The Salvation Army exists to meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the Richmond Hill community and
beyond. To accomplish this, The Salvation Army is fully engaged in a myriad of partnerships so that together with the
community they may discern the most prevalent needs and meet those needs. Quite often the outflow of its mission has
volunteers working alongside marginalized families and youth ‘at risk’ throughout Richmond Hill. The services that they provide
are nondiscriminatory and their actions are guided by compassion, respect, excellence, integrity, relevance, co-operation and
celebration.

To address the charitable needs of Richmond Hill, a committee of Town staff and community volunteers came together 19
years ago to form the Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament. Three years ago the tournament reached a fundraising milestone of $1
million, which has been distributed to 38 local charitable groups over the tournament history.  DeafBlind Ontario Services is thrilled to be part of this tournament!

For further information about the 19th Annual Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament, including sponsorship opportunities, please
contact Jennifer Allen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 905-853-2862 x233.

A letter was shared with us today that one of the parents of a client we support wrote to the Minister of Finance:

February 6, 2012

Hon. Dwight Duncan, MPP

Ministry of Finance

7^th Floor, Frost Building South

7 Queen’s Park Crescent

Toronto, ON   M7A 1Y7

Dear Mr. Duncan,

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Town Hall conference call you conducted last Monday. It was a privilege to be one of the 35,000 people who joined on the call to hear Mr. Gregg Sorbara, Mr. Reza Moridi and Ms Helena Jaczek outline the economic realities that Ontarians are facing. Technical difficulties did not allow me to leave my comments after the call as prompted by the moderator, so I am taking this opportunity to give them to you in writing.

My comments are regarding a cause that is close to my heart: Deafblind Ontario Services.  My son, Charles, is deafblind.  In 1994, he moved into one of the residences supported by DeafBlind Ontario Services and has lived there with 2 other friends since.  They have to be supported 24/7 by their Intervenors. My son, and all of his peers, are some of the most vulnerable citizens in this province. Without intervention, they lose their eyes and ears. Without the support of their Intervenors, they cannot understand and navigate their environment or communicate effectively with others.

On behalf of DeafBlind Ontario Services, I would like to bring to your attention some challenges facing the Intervenor Services Sector in Ontario.  This sector serves a unique group of Ontarians, those who are deafblind.

PRIMARY ISSUE: To ensure future funding models take the unique and complex needs of our clients into account

While the current government has made substantial (and long overdue) infusions to Intervenor Services over the past several years, the 2010 proposed funding allocation model by the Ministry of Community and Social Services showed us that this funding is extremely vulnerable.   Our advocacy efforts in 2010/ 2011 led to the Ministry taking the proposed model off the table and committed to working with the sector and consumers to design a fair, equitable model.

While DeafBlind Ontario Services supports the creation of a fair and equitable service system, it cannot come at the expense of our clients and their unique and complex needs.  Since 2004, we have been a committed and active participant in the Transformation of Intervenor Services Agenda.

The Ontario government has committed to the health and education sectors to fulfill their promises.  However, a failure to adequately fund the Intervenor services sector may result in increasing numbers of our clients ending up in health funded facilities (e.g. hospitals, long-term-care, psychiatric facilities) as a result of less support; thereby adding more cost to the health system.

SOLUTION: Ensure present levels of service and funding are maintained for our clients, and work on the new funding model starts in 2012 and be adjusted annually for inflationary measures.

SECONDARY ISSUES:

1. Increase Ontario Disability Support Program levels

While the current government has made annual cost-of-living increases to the Ontario Disability Income Support program, these benefits remain more than 18% below what they were in 1993 when compared to inflation.  At present, ODSP provides for an income that is 40% below the poverty line at about $1,000/month to spend on rent, food, clothing and transportation.

In fall of 2010, the government announced it was conducting a comprehensive review of the social assistance program, which includes ODSP.  We are hopeful that people with disabilities, including deafblindness, who live on ODSP, will be able to break the cycle of poverty and live their lives as independently as possible.

SOLUTION: The Social Assistance Review Committee should have the support of government to recommend comprehensive reform and acted on quickly.  ODSP benefits need to provide for real costs of living and should not be less than the recognized poverty line.  Rates should reflect average market rates and be adjusted annually for inflation.

2. Public Sector Compensation Restraint to Protect Public Services Act 2010 (Bill 16) is lifted by April 1, 2012 as promised

The Ontario government is looking at ways to contain costs within the broader public service, which includes extending the funding freeze for public services. As an organization that receives funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, we are part of the broader public sector and this freeze affects us.

Agencies like ours have dealt with this wage freeze since 2010.  We have already been doing more with less, and cannot do so any longer without it affecting service.  Perpetual low wages and the continued undervaluing of the work done in this sector will affect the quantity and quality of the support and services that our agency is able to provide to the people we support.

People who are congenitally deafblind require 24 hour support.  Staff must be highly trained to work with this unique population.  A 2007 report by the Ministry of Community and Social Services Expert Panel on Training cited low recruitment rates, inadequate qualifications, poor retention of employees, low wages, low morale and the inability of colleges to meet the increasing need for trained Intervenors.  Employees who receive specialized training, competitive wages and benefits are more likely to enter and remain in the sector.

SOLUTION: Lift the broader public sector wage freeze, or either place a salary cap or exclude non-profits from it.  Stabilize the sector through funding that addresses current system capacity, will meet future demands and will bring wages to a level that is comparable with other human services sectors.

Action:

While we understand the fiscal constraints that the Government of Ontario is faced within these economic times, we strongly urge the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) to provide additional resources to adequately serve all deafblind Ontarians.

Intervenor services are vital for adults who are congenitally deafblind, enabling them to communicate, gain life skills and nurture relationships to prevent isolation.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Diane Gabay

Today we held a conference call for our families about our advocacy efforts for 2012.  Our intention is to visit our local MPPs to bring to their attention the challenges facing the Intervenor Services in Ontario and bring forward our concerns on 3 issues. 

PRIMARY ISSUE: To ensure future funding models take the unique and complex needs of our clients into account

While the current government has made substantial (and long overdue) infusions to Intervenor Services over the past several years, the 2010 proposed funding allocation model by the Ministry of Community and Social Services showed us that this funding is extremely vulnerable.   Our advocacy efforts in 2010/ 2011 led to the Ministry taking the proposed model off the table and committed to working with the sector and consumers to design a fair, equitable model.

While DeafBlind Ontario Services supports the creation of a fair and equitable service system, it cannot come at the expense of our clients and their unique and complex needs.  Since 2004, we have been a committed and active participant in the Transformation of Intervenor Services Agenda.

The Ontario government has committed to the health and education sectors to fulfill their promises.  However, a failure to adequately fund the Intervenor services sector may result in increasing numbers of our clients ending up in health funded facilities (e.g. hospitals, long-term-care, psychiatric facilities) as a result of less support; thereby adding more cost to the health system.

SOLUTION: Ensure present levels of service and funding are maintained for our clients, and work on the new funding model starts in 2012 and be adjusted annually for inflationary measures.

SECONDARY ISSUES:

1. Increase Ontario Disability Support Program levels

While the current government has made annual cost-of-living increases to the Ontario Disability Income Support program, these benefits remain more than 18% below what they were in 1993 when compared to inflation.  At present, ODSP provides for an income that is 40% below the poverty line at about $1,000/month to spend on rent, food, clothing and transportation.

In fall of 2010, the government announced it was conducting a comprehensive review of the social assistance program, which includes ODSP.  We are hopeful that people with disabilities, including deafblindness, who live on ODSP, will be able to break the cycle of poverty and live their lives as independently as possible.

SOLUTION: The Social Assistance Review Committee should have the support of government to recommend comprehensive reform and acted on quickly.  ODSP benefits need to provide for real costs of living and should not be less than the recognized poverty line.  Rates should reflect average market rates and be adjusted annually for inflation.

2. Public Sector Compensation Restraint to Protect Public Services Act 2010 (Bill 16) is lifted by April 1, 2012 as promised

The Ontario government is looking at ways to contain costs within the broader public service, which includes extending the funding freeze for public services. As an organization that receives funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, we are part of the broader public sector and this freeze affects us.

Agencies like ours have dealt with this wage freeze since 2010.  We have already been doing more with less, and cannot do so any longer without it affecting service.  Perpetual low wages and the continued undervaluing of the work done in this sector will affect the quantity and quality of the support and services that our agency is able to provide to the people we support.

People who are congenitally deafblind require 24 hour support.  Staff must be highly trained to work with this unique population.  A 2007 report by the Ministry of Community and Social Services Expert Panel on Training cited low recruitment rates, inadequate qualifications, poor retention of employees, low wages, low morale and the inability of colleges to meet the increasing need for trained Intervenors.  Employees who receive specialized training, competitive wages and benefits are more likely to enter and remain in the sector.

SOLUTION: Lift the broader public sector wage freeze, or either place a salary cap or exclude non-profits from it.  Stabilize the sector through funding that addresses current system capacity, will meet future demands and will bring wages to a level that is comparable with other human services sectors.

Action:

While we understand the fiscal constraints that the Government of Ontario is faced with in these economic times, we strongly urge the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) to provide additional resources to adequately serve all deafblind Ontarians.

Intervenor services are vital for adults who are congenitally deafblind, enabling them to communicate, gain life skills and nurture relationships to prevent isolation.

Thank you to all who will be bringing these issues forward to their MPPs.

This conference has been specifically designed for Intervenors or those in a supervisory role who work with people with deafblindness:

• acquired and congenital
• children, adults or seniors
• in the field of service, education or rehabilitation.

For more information, visit our Upcoming Events page.

The Relax in Paradise Trip Raffle gives you a chance to win a one week all-inclusive trip for 2 to your choice of either Sandals Grande RivieraBeach & Villa Golf Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica or Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa in Whitehouse, Jamaica!

Trip includes return round trip airport/resort transfers from Toronto International Pearson Airport, luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, anytime snacks, unlimited drinks including premium brand liquors, beer, wine and soft drinks, nightly entertainment, all land and water sports, government hotel taxes and tips.

Tickets are $20 or 3 for $50

To Purchase Tickets: Call 905-853-2862 x233 or Toll-free at 1-855-340-3267

Draw Date: March 28, 2012 at 12:00 noon at 17665 Leslie Street, Unit 15, Newmarket

Tickets Printed: 1000

Generously sponsored by:

Karimjee-Greene LLP and Bruce Elevator Service Ltd.

Lottery Licence number M612365

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with someone who is deafblind?  Come learn more about the exciting and rewarding profession of being an Intervenor! 

We'll be at the Georgina Ice Palace at 90 Wexford on Tuesday, January 17th from 5-9 pm.  We're hiring Intervenors to work in two of our homes in Jackson's Point and Willow Beach.  We provide all training, opportunities for advancement, a fun and caring team environment, and amazing clients to support.  Bring your resume!

January's exploration for the Sensory Exploration Arts (SEA) Program is "Tasting Cold": Flavored Ice and Snow.  Our emerging artists will explore the tastes, textures and temperatures of flavored ice and snow, and then engage in creating collage, sculpture, printmaking and painting with snow and ice.

Icicle Sculptures will be made at Bob Rumball Associations for the Deaf in Milton on January 11th, using plastic icicles, cold beads and metal with acrylic paints mixed with snow.

At the Varley Art Gallerly in Markham on January 16th, Snow Printimaking will feature snow hand prints on paper . Our participants, who are all sensory impaired, will dip hands onto coloured flavored snow and create prints on paper with visiting artist Ruth Wilgress.

On January 18th at the Georgina Art Centre & Gallery in Sutton, ice watercolour paitnings will be created using food colouring on textured papers and flavored ice.

Barrie participants will explore the textures, smells and tastes of flavored ice and snow on February 1st at the Maclaren Art Centre and create a Cold Collage using beads, glass and paints mixed with snow and ice.

For more information on our SEA Program, click here.

DeafBlind Ontario Services was among the winners of the fourth annual Voluntary Sector Reporting Awards (VSRAs), which were announced at a luncheon ceremony in North York on November 18th. DeafBlind Ontario Services won in the Total revenues from over $1 million to $10 million category.

At a time when financial reporting is becoming increasingly important to organizations of all types and sizes, the VSRAs recognize those organizations within Ontario’s diverse and growing not-for-profit sector that have achieved best practices.

The winners are:

National and international organizations headquartered in Ontario: World Vision Canada

Ontario organizations:

Total revenues over $10 million: Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario

Total revenues from over $1 million to $10 million: (tied) DeafBlind Ontario Services and United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington

Total Revenues up to $1 million: Hospice King-Aurora

In 2008, the Voluntary Sector Reporting Awards (VSRAs) program was launched by CA-Queen’s Centre for Governance. Sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the awards recognize best practices for financial reporting by registered charities that produce annual reports in Ontario. Their annual reports are rated for availability, clarity, user friendliness, accessibility and impact. Organizations competed in five categories based on revenue size with the winner in each category receiving $5,000 and recognition as leaders in the field.

SEA Program Art Exhibit November 16, 2011 in Georgina

DeafBlind Ontario Services proudly invites the community to attend the Sensory Exploration Arts (SEA) Program exhibit and experience the program first hand.  Grass paintings on canvas using grasses as paint brushes will create unique sensory art by sensory impaired and deafblind artists after exploration of nature’s grasses and native women’s traditional dance while accompanied by the beat of a drumming circle. Visiting native dance artist Suzanne Smoke will perform at the opening of the gallery exhibition on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Georgina Arts Centre and Gallery at 149 High Street in Sutton.  The exhibit will run at the Georgina Arts Centre and Gallery for one month.

The objective of the Sensory Exploration Arts (SEA) program is to promote and foster artistic and creative expression in a visual arts program for individuals with sensory impairments.  The Sensory Exploration Arts (SEA) program is available to clients of DeafBlind Ontario Services and community partners CNIB York Region, Community Living Georgina, Community Living York South, Community Living Newmarket/Aurora, Simcoe Community Services and Bob Rumball Associations for the Deaf.                                                                      

This stimulating and collaborative program has already exposed the benefits of creative expression in individuals whom may not have engaged or viewed themselves as an artist before.

“Each person had their own perception of the experiences given and created a piece of art that reflected what they had experienced or how they wanted to express themselves in that moment.  Everyone had the opportunity to create from their own imagination and make their ideas come to life through their art”, says SEA Coordinator and art therapist Corene Jonat, “Lots of smiling, laughing, quiet focus and excitement can be seen from the artists.”

The artists who are deafblind or sensory impaired have expanded their comfort levels, communication and exploration abilities through these new experiences.

The SEA Program is generously funded by The Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Finalists for best charity annual report announced