Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Adults

SMD has a strong relationship with Manitoba’s Deaf Community. In addition to having adapted many existing programs and services to meet the needs of that community, SMD has also developed numerous programs and courses to assist consumers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing as well as others who want to help make the community more accessible for everyone.

  • The Living with Hearing Loss course is offered to Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened and Oral Deaf people to help them learn to communicate better with hearing friends, family members and co-workers. The program assists people as they learn to speech-read and develop positive coping strategies that increase self-confidence and enhance communication skills. Participants also learn about assistive listening devices such as FM systems, visual door knockers, baby monitors and flashing alarms.
  • The American Sign Language (ASL) is a Winnipeg-based program offering different levels of ASL classes from Beginner to Very Advanced. The program may also include presentations on Deaf Culture and Linguistics, panels consisting of parents of Deaf youth and opportunities to learn specific ASL skills (such as How to Tell Stories to Deaf Children or How to Teach Home and Neighborhood Safety to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children).  For more information, click here.

The ASL Immersion Program is open to anyone interested in learning or improving their ASL skills. Residence for out of town students is provided at the Manitoba School for the Deaf free-of-charge. SMD also offers similar week-long or weekend programs in Thompson as well as in other areas of the province

  • Many Deaf newcomers arrive in Canada without the necessary language skills to effectively pursue either employment and/or educational opportunities. ASL/English Tutoring for Deaf Newcomers to Canada funded by the Manitoba Immigrant Integration Program provide individual or group classes with the opportunity to learn both ASL and English in a culturally sensitive environment..
  • SMD’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program provides advocacy services in legal and medical situations to help Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals receive information in a way that can be clearly understood. Having another Deaf person involved with medical or legal appointments can also make Deaf or Hard of hearing people more comfortable dealing with larger, mainstream systems. (A fee for service may apply depending on the scope of the situation.)
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program staff are available to provide a range of presentations, workshops and consultative services to communities and organizations. Professional development programs that address such topic as address such topics as Accessibility, Communication, ASL and Deaf Culture can be tailored to a group’s specific needs and will. (A fee for service may apply.)
  • An individual or group life skills training program can be designed, implemented and monitored by Deaf Community Counsellors. Training can focus on such areas as self awareness and confidence, effective communication and interpersonal skills, parenting and/or daily living skills. A fee for service may apply.

For more information, contact SMD Deaf Services TTY (204) 975-3083 or Voice (204) 975-3107