About Us

Advocacy

The Association acts as a consumer-advocate group on behalf of the Deaf community. GVAD has gone to governments, private agencies and businesses whenever important issues relating to Deaf people have come up.

Many times, the GVAD has made presentations to city, provincial and federal governments regarding the education of deaf children and adults, communication (telephone access and television captioning), health care issues and provision of interpreting services.

Examples:   Medical Interpreting Services
                  Telus Relay Service

Volunteers

As with many non-profit groups, the GVAD depends heavily on volunteers. The Board of Directors is made up of Deaf volunteers who give their time and skills to make GVAD a successful organization. Volunteers run all of the committees.

The GVAD is proud of its volunteers and their energy and spirit. We welcome inquiries from the community to volunteer. The only necessary skill is to be able to communicate in American Sign Language.

Working with Others

The GVAD works closely with many other organizations serving people who are deaf or disabled. Some of these groups are: BC Deaf Sports Federation, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, BC Cultural Society of the Deaf, Well-Being Program for the Deaf, Family Network of Deaf Children, Canadian Association of the Deaf and BC Association of the Deaf.

Activities

The GVAD sponsors or participates in many types of activities. The ‘Big Event’ of the year is the annual August Corn Party, which GVAD invites other organizations of the Deaf to co-host and allow Deaf people from all over the world to join.

Other events are informative workshops that offer new knowledge/skills to the deaf community or enrich their lives, one-day excursions for seniors and recreation activities.

The Deaf Youth Today has been sponsored by the Association for a number of years and since 2001, is subcontracted to Family Network of Deaf Children. The Ministry of Families and Children have provided funding to make social and recreation activities available during the school year and summer to deaf children and youths.

Fundraising

The Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf depends primarily in its membership dues, newsletter subscriptions, fundraising events and gaming revenue to generate funds for its general operations. Other special projects are funded though government grants when possible.

The Association also depends on donations from the community to make it possible for its staff and many volunteers to answer the many inquiries and requests for information and assistance.

Where the funds go:

·  Building-to-be (Deaf Resource Centre)

·  Office Equipment

·  Events

·  Supplies

·  Workshops/courses/seminars

·  History Archives

·  Others