BC Deaf Community Skills Shortage
Data Collection Project

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Project Description & Goals

This study is focused on identifying and documenting current shortages of qualified professionals working with Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) people in British Columbia. Specifically, it will collect data about current shortages of the following professionals: 
 

1. Registered Interpreters and Deaf Interpreters 

2. Intervenors 

3. Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (and Deaf-Blind) 

4. Early Childhood Educators (specific to DDBHH children) 

5. Speech Language Pathologists (specific to DDBHH children) 

6. Educational Assistants/Inclusive Education Support Workers (specific to DDBHH children) 

7. Language Acquisition Support Workers 

8. ASL Instructors and ASL Specialists 
    

Through this work, we hope to provide a more comprehensive and detailed account of current shortages of qualified professionals working with DDBHH British Columbians. It is hoped that this work can help to reduce the barriers created by current shortages that DDBHH British Columbians face, throughout their lifespan. 

 

Despite anecdotal reports of ongoing shortages, very little data exists related to the shortage of qualified professionals who work with DDBHH people in BC. Additionally, what limited data collection has been previously attempted has focused on individual sectors. This lack of data often makes it challenging for organizations who are working to reduce these shortages. This study, by taking a more holistic and multi-sectoral approach, hopes to provide a foundation of knowledge to support the work of those attempting to improve services focused on DDBHH people.

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Who Funded this Project?

This project was funded by Provincial Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, a branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development. 

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Who is Involved in this Project?

This project was developed and will be run by a project team recruited by Family Network for Deaf Children. At present, the project team consists of: 
 

• Brianne Braun - Registered ASL-English Interpreter 

• Scott Jeffery - Deaf Interpreter 

• Alana Haller - Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 

• Mari Klassen - ASL Specialist  

• Bryan Hemingway - Accessibility Research/Policy Consultant 

• Ariane Faria - UBC Graduate Student 

• Hayley Rutherford - Roots & Rivers Consulting 

• Janani Ravikularam - Roots & Rivers Consulting 

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Contact: skillsshortage@fndc.ca