Statement in the Senate on Deafblind Awareness Month

Honourable senators, it is my sincere honour to rise today in recognition of June as Deafblind Awareness Month to acknowledge the strength, dedication and perseverance of more than 65,000 Canadians who live with deafblind challenges.

In 2015, the Senate of Canada unanimously adopted the motion to recognize June as Deafblind Awareness Month. I would like to commend the leadership of the Honourable Vim Kochhar, one of the greatest champions of Canada’s deafblind community and of people who live with physical disabilities, along with Senator Jim Munson and the Honourable Asha Seth, whose dedication and support have been invaluable.

June is the birth month of Helen Keller, a gracious, heroic woman whose determination and leadership made a difference in the world and inspired many to follow in her footsteps. Canada’s deafblind community leaders and organizations, including those present in our chamber, have worked together to make Deafblind Awareness Month on the Hill an annual tradition.

As I said, approximately 69,700 Canadians over the age of 12 live with the dual disability of deafblindness, or a combination of both vision and hearing losses that limit their everyday activities essential for living, Statistics Canada reports. Thanks to our unanimous adoption, throughout June Canadians are encouraged to recognize the incredible strength and resiliency of the individuals who live with deafblindness and celebrate Helen Keller’s trailblazing legacy.

This month is extremely important for honouring not only them but also their families, their interveners and important organizations who work closely with members of the community to help them live their lives to the fullest potential, organizations like the Canadian Helen Keller Centre, the Canadian Deafblind Association, CNIB, DeafBlind Ontario Services, Bob Rumball Centre of Excellence for the Deaf, Lions McInnes House, Deafblind Community Services and the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons.

Helen Keller said:
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

Honourable senators, Helen Keller’s words remain to inspire us all. Let us honour her legacy and work together to ensure that deafblind Canadians have equal access to the benefits and opportunities that our country affords us all. Thank you.