We are so happy to be recognized for our work with the Provincial Languages Services program, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority that provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing persons, and also interpreting services for persons with limited English fluency. “Engaging Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing British Columbians on Medical Interpretation for Better Access to Health Care” was named runner-up for the 2020 IAP2 Canada Core Values Award for Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture.

Using a variety of methods, including in-person sessions and online surveys with questions interpreted on video, DELANEY identified values and principles which became the foundation of a Service Delivery Framework — including the determination that service delivery needs to be Deaf-led. Already, the engagement is showing results, in improved and increased access to medical information for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing people and an increased awareness of the barriers to health care that people in this community experience.