Deaf Resource Centre


What we do and Why we do it? 
 The DCM, Inc. recognizes the Deaf Resource Centre (DRC) in supporting the Staff. It recognizes the values of Deaf Culture and ASL, provides service and resource needs, communication, and information access to the Deaf community in Manitoba.

A thousand people throughout Manitoba who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing, including People Of Color, Indigenous, Black, Newcomers and Immigrants of all age levels, have a lot of challenges to overcome. They have difficulty reading English publications, news stations and social media because English is not their first language.

A barrier is anything that blocks adequate access for communication and information in using American Sign Language (ASL), from articles, videos and news that may hinder the individual capacity to have a full and effective participation in broadcast media on an equal basis in daily lives.

A significance of COVID-19 pandemic has impacted access to the supports and services in place to provide Deaf Community. We need to ensure vulnerable populations are still able to access information and communication during to crisis situations.

DCM Inc is working and supporting the Deaf Resource Centre as its best place to provide access to greater community for current events:

The DRC is an information clearinghouse operated by Deaf Centre Manitoba Inc. DRC responds to inquiries about a diverse range of topics related to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing persons including culture, education, health, and family.

DRC is a one-stop shop, a clearinghouse, and a spider-web. It’s in an excellent position to serve Deaf community for both current and new services and serve the non-Deaf service providers.

  •  Makes referral
  • Provides supports
  • Does the calendar activities and events
  • Identifies resources and organizations
  • Uses many accessible formats
  • Provides many services
  • Embodies Deaf Culture
  • Has devices for public use/info about what devices are available
  • Gives accurate information in ASL (ie, COVID info and/or other public health issues)
  • Has several partnerships
DRC library enabling Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and other Manitobans to access important and accurate information pertaining to deafness, Deaf Culture, and healthy communication. DRC is also working ASL V-News and posting on social media; Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

DRC has partnered with other service agencies to provide appropriate services and to enhance the accessibility of services to the Deaf Community. In addition, collaborating with several organizations, institutions and entrepreneurs, to provide ASL resource webinars and presentations including ASL-English Interpreters, Deaf Interpreters and Canada Video Relay Service (VRS), closed captions are working for deaf and hard of hearing. Intervenor & Service Support Providers (SSP) and Computerized Note-Taker (CNT) are working for deaf-blind community in Manitoba.

Method and Activities:
The Deaf Resource Centre office (DRC) provides Resources, Services and Programs following below:

  • Public Access Computer and Library: provides access to Deaf community, to use internet, personal emails and social media to receive important news and articles using ASL videos and/or closed captions, community access to multi-media and print materials. Also, disseminates information on items of interest through Electronic News and maintains a Community Bulletin Board. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the DRC Library created a new policy with pick up and return of the books and dvds. The Deaf community can access to books and dvds at their home and the community.

  • Information and Inquiry: DRC collects the information about services, programs, resources of the Education, Institutions, Health, Employment, Business, Organizations and Agencies, Broadcast Media, and the Government. Also, DRC creates the DCM kits (brief DCM intro, brochures, business card, flyers and ASL basic cards, Deaf Awareness) and distributes the DCM kits.

  • Communication Services: DRC creates a new policy with order & purchase the emergency alarm and communication devices due to COVID-19. The Community can access training assistance on the use of a variety of communication technologies, such as DRC VRS area, Emergency Alarm & Communication devices, videophone and watch the ASL V-News Videos.

  • Social Media & Bulletin: DRC is working on resource, and services for the Deaf Community through the DCM website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. DRC receives the activities, and events from different organizations, institutions and communities and DRC shares to post on Social Media and DRC Bulletin. Ensure the availability of ASL information and communication to the Deaf community.

  • Interpreting Services: research and referral activities in response to community inquiries; co-ordination of referrals from Speakers’ Bureau to present at a variety of community forums; and co-ordination of interpreter service requests provided by E-Quality Communication Centre of Excellence (ECCOE).

  • Community Education and Awareness: DRC provides the speakers of awareness workshops on a variety of topics: Mental Health and Deaf Awareness & Orientation via virtual and/or in-person for both the Deaf and Hearing Communities upon request. Also, Information & Communication via ASL V-News & Social Media;
    • Awareness and Training
      The DCM Inc host the Deaf Awareness in collaboration with the New Directions, Manitoba Possible and the Manitoba Deaf Association as a Core Team. They join the Core Team meeting to establish the goals and objectives of Deaf Awareness. Invite representatives of various organizations, associations, and resources to join us through the virtual and/or in-person workshop.

    • Mental Health Workshop and Conference
      The DCM Inc host the Mental Health Workshop & Conference in collaboration with the New Directions, Manitoba Possible and the Manitoba Deaf Association as a Core Team. They join the Core Team meeting to establish the goals and objectives of Mental Health. Invite representatives of various organizations, institutions, and communities to join us through the virtual and/or in-person workshop.

    • Information and Communication on ASL V-News
      The ASL V-News project is the best practice of the diverse ASL signers. They have access to public links, articles and the news site or social media containing published texts translated into ASL. It uploads videos on YouTube and broadcasts ASL V-News to share on website and social media with the deaf community in Manitoba and Canada. ASL best practices available to the deaf community, able to understand in a wide range of information about the events of their daily lives.