OCSD Leadership: Family Support Director
👨👩👧👦 Empowering Families with ASL 👨👩👧👦
The Family Support Director connects families with Deaf children to vital resources and training, fostering early language development through ASL. By coordinating programs like ASL Parent Child Mother Goose, this role helps parents bond with their children using interactive stories and poetry.
Through ASL classes and trained instructors, families gain the tools and confidence to communicate effectively, creating a strong foundation for their children’s growth and learning.
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OCSD Leadership: ASL Teachers of Ontario
✍️ Empowering ASL Education ✍️
The ASL Teachers of Ontario Director plays a pivotal role in training and supporting ASL instructors, fostering language access for Deaf and hearing students alike. Working with the CCSD Sign Language Institute, the Director ensures instructors meet Ontario College of Teachers standards, strengthening ASL education across the province.
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OCSD Leadership: Secretary
📋 Keeping OCSD Organized 📋
The Secretary ensures smooth communication within the board by managing meeting records, organizing events, and maintaining documentation. This vital role keeps OCSD operations efficient and ensures our initiatives stay on track.
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OCSD Leadership: Treasurer
💰 Managing with Integrity 💰
The Treasurer ensures OCSD’s financial stability by overseeing budgets, managing donations, and maintaining transparency. This crucial role ensures we have the resources to continue supporting the Deaf community through programs and initiatives.
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OSD/SJW Alumni: Calling All Deaf Artists in Ontario
Celebrating American Sign
Language Culture Through Art exhibition, organized by OSD-SJW alumni in collaboration with the City of Belleville, is seeking Deaf artists, especially with a connection to Belleville, to showcase their De'VIA artwork in a special gallery exhibition at the John M. Parrott Art Gallery and Quinte Arts Council Cultural Hub Gallery in September 2025.
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OCSD Leadership: Vice-President
💡 Shaping the Future 💡
The Vice President plays a pivotal role in driving OCSD’s mission forward, working alongside the President to guide strategy and decision-making. This role ensures the organization stays aligned with its commitment to promoting Deaf culture and sign language education. A collaborative leader, the Vice President helps achieve OCSD’s goals and fosters growth within the community.
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OCSD Leadership: President
🌟 Leading with Purpose 🌟
At OCSD, the President guides our vision and strategy, ensuring all initiatives support the Deaf community through education and advocacy. By leading the board and fostering collaboration among members, the President helps expand our outreach and strengthens partnerships to make a meaningful impact.
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How Does a Board Operate
📝 Behind the Scenes of OCSD Board Meetings 📝
Curious how OCSD’s board makes decisions? Here’s a breakdown of our structured process, check it out.
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What do OCSD Volunteers Do?
❤️ Volunteers Make OCSD Shine! ❤️
From organizing events to preserving the rich heritage of Deaf culture and sign languages, OCSD volunteers are the backbone of our mission. Their dedication ensures accessibility, education, and cultural legacy for generations to come.
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How is OCSD run?
💪 Behind the Scenes at OCSD 💪
Did you know? OCSD is powered by a passionate volunteer board dedicating 2–8 hours weekly to foster Deaf inclusion and promote sign language education. With virtual meetings and innovative leadership tools, our volunteers ensure OCSD makes a lasting impact.
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What is OCSD?
The Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf (OCSD) is dedicated to celebrating Deaf culture, sign languages, and fostering community connections. Since 1974, we've worked to bridge cultures, preserve heritage, and empower families through sign language.
We’re proud to train ASL instructors, promote the arts, and connect with Deaf and signing individuals across Ontario. Together, we’re building an inclusive future!
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Subtitles are not the same as sign language
OCSD has been invited to interview by Dilshad Burman at City News Everywhere. President Leah Riddell emphasize that subtitles and sign language are two distinct languages. It's imperative that we provide both options for accessibility.
This is in regard to Elon Musk comment under a post "What's the point of sign language in a video if you have subtitles? Am I missing something?"
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Workshop: Learn How to Advocate for Sign Languages
Hello, everyone! We have some exciting news to share with you. On October 11, 2023, we're hosting a special workshop where you can learn to advocate for sign languages in your city. But that's not all! We're also going to show you how to annually light up your city in support of sign languages and proudly raise the Deaf Flag.
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Fostering Inclusive Deaf Communities
Coming to the end of International Week of Deaf People, we’ve had an amazing, inspiring week of gathering and supporting our Deaf people. Our celebrations and uphill battle to ensure change continues on. We reflect on the realization that our Deaf community all over the world is vast in experiences and diversity. Our shared collective differences weave our culture and language and make us strong together.
Today, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) extends a compelling call to action
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Proclaiming Our Sign Languages Across More Cities, Light it Up for Sign Languages
Ontario's vibrant spirit is a testament to our commitment to inclusion and unity. Today, on the International Day of Sign Languages, we amplify the World Federation of the Deaf's vision - a world where signing knows no bounds. A world where deaf individuals are embraced as an integral part of humanity's rich tapestry, and national sign languages flourish in every corner of society.
As we reflect on this vision, let's channel our collective energy towards action. Ontario's cities, diverse and dynamic, have the power to be beacons of change. It's a call to rally behind the proclamation of our sign languages, ensuring that every child and youth has the opportunity to connect, learn, and communicate through sign.
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Progress in Ontario
Ontario's vibrant Deaf community, our journey towards sign language rights is a work in progress, an inspiring endeavor that holds the promise of greater inclusion and equality. The recognition of national sign languages stands as a pivotal step, a bridge that connects us to fundamental human rights.
Even as we stride forward, let's acknowledge that challenges persist.
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Putting Deaf People on the Agenda
In the heart of Ontario's vibrant Deaf community, a resounding call emerges. Across the globe, Deaf communities champion the alignment of policies and programs with real-life Deaf experiences. Today, our focus turns to the those in positions of power – national governments, international organizations, research hubs, and policy think tanks. A unified plea echoes: place Deaf people at the core of your endeavors. Amidst strides, a chasm exists - a scarcity of data illuminating the tapestry of Deaf lives, particularly the right to employ national sign languages.
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A Shared Vision of "Nothing Without Us"
Today, Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf (OCSD) supports the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)'s IWDP Theme "Nothing Without Us". It's purpose is to compel government officials to work with Deaf experts, Deaf organizations and affiliates across the globe. It is essential to understand our Deaf culture, sign languages, life experience and accessibility rights. Making decisions without our input has far-reaching negative impact. From this day forward, it is imperative we work together to ensure we are included, have equal access and enriched lives.
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Joining Hands for Global Capacity Building
In the heart of Ontario, a strong sense of community flourishes, embracing diversity and inclusivity. Today, we cast our gaze beyond borders to acknowledge a global challenge – millions of d\Deaf individuals still denied basic human rights. At the forefront of change, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) launches the groundbreaking 60 Country Project.
Ontario's spirit of unity extends across oceans as we align with this transformative initiative.
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Championing the Rights of Deaf Children
Amidst the dynamic landscape of Ontario's Deaf community, we acknowledge time for change. The XXI (21) WFD General Assembly contemplates an ambitious stride - the inception of a Declaration of the Rights of the Deaf Child. Today, our rallying call extends across oceans and borders, resonating with global communities.
Ontario's vibrant Deaf advocates, educators, and families, your voices matter immensely.
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