Our community has waited long enough.
Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing people are being left behind, again.
CHS services have stalled. Interpreters are rationed. Mental health support, employment services, literacy help - all disrupted. This is not the first strike. In 2017, we asked for change. We’re still waiting.
This is a human rights issue.
Read MoreOne year ago, OCSD and the Deaf Senior Committee selected cities across Ontario where we filmed Deaf individuals sharing their personal stories and experiences. Now, we’re bringing those powerful stories together in a one-hour film premiere!
Read MoreExperience De’VIA at the Quinte Arts Council Cultural Hub & Parrot Gallery!
An extraordinary collection of De’VIA art is coming to Belleville! This powerful exhibit showcases Deaf artists who share their lived experiences through visual storytelling — challenging perceptions of Deafness, celebrating sign language, and giving voice to untold stories.
Why visit? This isn’t just an art exhibit — it’s a celebration of Deaf culture, history, and resilience, bridging the gap between Deaf and hearing communities through art.
Read MoreBecome a member of TRI-O and Register
Read More🌟 Join the OCSD Community! 🌟
Membership at OCSD is open to everyone - Deaf, non-deaf, CODAs, parents of Deaf children, interpreters, and organizations. By joining, you support our mission to promote Deaf culture, sign languages, and inclusive communities.
Your membership funds TRI-O: Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf, Ontario Association of the Deaf, and Ontario Deaf Sports Association initiatives, and gives you access to newsletter updates and one AGM location. Together, we can make a difference and strengthen the Deaf community!
Are you a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA)? We want to hear from YOU! Our survey aims to better understand and support CODAs of all ages. Your voice can make a difference.
Click the link below to participate!
https://forms.gle/pert3MCKm3PvHQda7
💡 Make an Impact 💡
Support OCSD in advocating for Deaf culture and providing resources to the community.
🔹 General Donations
Help sustain OCSD’s programs and preserve Deaf heritage.
🔹 Donate to Specific Programs
Support free ASL classes for families, ASL instructor training, or initiatives for Deaf children and families.
Every contribution creates a more inclusive world.
🌟 Lead the Change 🌟
Passionate about promoting Deaf culture and ASL education? Join OCSD’s board and make a difference! Nominate yourself or someone else by March 1st, 2025, and help shape the future of the Deaf community.
🌐 Creating Accessible Connections 🌐
OCSD works with organizations, schools, and businesses to break communication barriers and advocate for Deaf inclusion. Together, we’re promoting awareness and building environments where everyone can thrive.
📚 Learn Before You Lead 📚
Before volunteering at OCSD, all applicants complete our training program to understand Deaf culture, communication preferences, and language use. This ensures respectful and effective support for the Deaf community.
🤝 Empowering CODA Families 🤝
At OCSD, we proudly support Deaf parents and their CODA children by providing resources, bilingual (ASL and spoken language) communication tools, and community connections. Our programs help families navigate between Deaf and hearing worlds, fostering understanding and building strong family bonds.
🤝 Building Stronger Families 🤝
OCSD supports families of Deaf children by providing training and resources to help parents learn sign language. Our programs empower families to create a bilingual (ASL and English) environment that fosters effective communication and their child’s development. Together, we create brighter futures.
📚 Empowering ASL Educators 📚
OCSD is dedicated to training ASL instructors to become skilled educators who make a lasting impact in their communities. Our training programs provide the tools and resources needed to ensure Deaf children and adults have access to top-quality ASL education, fostering inclusion and understanding.
Hands in Commemoration – A Tribute to Deaf Culture
Hands tell stories. They express language, culture, and history. This powerful exhibit brings Deaf artists together to celebrate ASL through visual storytelling - paintings, sculptures, and digital media that capture the resilience and identity of the Deaf community.
Why does this matter? Deaf history is often overlooked. Through art, we ensure it is seen, felt, and remembered.
Read More🌟 Be a Change-Maker! 🌟
OCSD is calling on passionate leaders and volunteers to help us promote Deaf culture, sign language, and equal opportunities. Whether your expertise is in leadership, outreach, social media, or advocacy, there’s a place for you to make a difference.
🔄 Flexibility and Impact 🔄
The Director at Large provides support across various OCSD projects, contributing to multiple initiatives that meet the evolving needs of the Deaf community. This dynamic role helps shape the future of OCSD through broad engagement and leadership.
🎨 Elevating Deaf Culture Through Art 🎨
The Art Director brings OCSD’s vision to life by creating engaging and accessible designs for events and campaigns. This role collaborates with the CCSD and Deaf Arts Institute to promote Deaf talent, interpreted theatre, and the preservation of Deaf culture and history through the arts.
📜 Advocating for Sign Language Recognition 📜
The Sign Language Act Director plays a vital role in pushing for legislative recognition of sign languages in education, workplaces, and public services. By collaborating with organizations and government bodies, this role helps shape policies that protect and promote the Deaf community’s rights and language access.
📱 Amplifying OCSD’s Mission Online 📱
The Social Media Director manages OCSD’s digital platforms, creating engaging content with Canva to highlight Deaf culture and sign languages. This role also maintains our website on Squarespace, uploads events, and coordinates newsletters to ensure our message reaches far and wide.
