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How accessible communication for people who are Deaf builds inclusive communities

International Week of Deaf People is taking place from September 19 to 25, 2022.
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A photo of a senior woman in a light pink blouse signing to someone showed on a tablet placed in front of her on a wooden table. The woman wears a pair of black framed glasses and her brown hair is tied to the back. The table screen vaguely shows the woman’s image and another person in a small window displayed at the bottom left.Photo via Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

(IWDP) is celebrated annually around the world during the last full week of September and this year the theme is “Building Inclusive Communities for All”.

In Canada, there are roughly as culturally Deaf and use a form of sign language to communicate. People who are Deaf are a cultural and linguistic minority, and do not identify as having a disability.

While there are many different sign languages in Canada, American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes Quebecoise (LSQ) are two of the most commonly used. Sign language itself is a unique language where communication is expressed through hand movements, facial expressions, and body movements.

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The photo shows four people in a meeting room with a big screen hanging on a blue wall. The man with a bony tail on the left is sitting on a chair and signing to a woman holding a microphone and standing on his right side against the wall. The other two women are closer to the camera sitting with their backs facing the camera. Photo via Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

As a trusted provider with expertise in meeting the unique communication needs of people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing in B.C., is a B.C. based, charitable not-for-profit organization operating as a social enterprise.

Wavefront Centre delivers innovative services in Audiology and Communication Devices, Community Outreach, and Accessible Communication Services that assist people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing achieve full communication accessibility.

Accessible Communication Services at Wavefront Centre provides a wide range of service offerings to meet the diverse and growing communication needs of the community, including Sign Language Interpretation, ASL Translation, Captioning, Plain Language, and Audio Description. These services can be used at all settings where communication is required, including medical appointments, business meetings, legal, education, and more.

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The photo shows the hands of three persons who sit beside a white table with hands of the person in the middle signing. On the white table, a blue folder with a white wave graffiti is placed at the centre with a laptop put beside it. Photo via Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

Interpreting service breaks down communication barriers between people who are Deaf and hearing and everyone benefits.

For example, Deaf students attending post-secondary education with the provision of a Registered Sign Language Interpreter are able to have full communication for their classes. Strata councils who provide interpreting for Deaf residents are able to benefit from their participation in their meetings. Deaf patients and healthcare providers who have a Registered Sign Language Interpreter at their appointments are able to ensure that there are no barriers to communication in medical situations.

In 2021, Wavefront Centre completed over 18,527 hours of ASL interpretation.

With Wavefront Centre’s comprehensive service offerings, clients can receive all of their accessible communication needs directly from one service provider. A full team of Registered Sign Language Interpreters, captioners and other experts are able to assist you with making the best recommendations to ensure communication is welcoming and accessible to all. 

Go to to learn more about accessible communication and how to make your community barrier-free for all people.