An international effort to make a difference and raise awareness

Deafblind Awareness Month is designed to help Canadians develop an understanding of, and a comfort with, the people in their communities who are Deafblind. Each June, people who are Deafblind, service providers, and supporters come together to ‘Make a Wave from Coast to Coast’, with a passion to make a difference and raise awareness.

Growing Understanding for Deafblind Awareness Month

This year, in honour of National Deafblind Awareness Month, we’re proud to introduce the Growing Understanding Campaign. Join us as we plant seeds of awareness and help educate Canadians about people who are Deafblind from coast to coast to coast.

Education is the key to nurturing understanding, awareness, and empathy. Studies show that children who are introduced to these topics at a young age are much more likely to develop into compassionate and empathetic adults who are capable of building inclusive communities and fostering positive social change.

The Growing Understanding Campaign aims to foster empathy and awareness about the Deafblind community through an innovative blend of digital learning kits and hands-on gardening activities.
 

Download a printable sign
A Gardener planting flowers in the garden. On the left, there is a circular icon with the text, Growing Understanding. Deafblind Awareness Month. In the centre is the icon for two hand manual.

How it works

 

  1. Plant your seedlings. Participants will kickstart their learning journey by planting seedlings at home, school or in a community garden. Watch them grow over the month of May, then plant them outside in honour of Deafblind Awareness Month in June.
  2. Engage in learning activities. Dive into our digital toolkit packed with exciting learning activities centered around Deafblind Awareness Month in June.
  3. Spread awareness. Plant your seedlings outside and display your Deafblind Awareness Month signs. Let’s engage our communities and encourage others to learn more about people who are Deafblind all month long!

This campaign is so much more than just raising awareness. It's about building connections within our communities and cultivating supportive environments where everyone feels valued and included.

Whether you're looking to participate from home or on the go, there's an opportunity for you to get involved! Purchase your own seeds and materials or download our digital learning toolkit to start your learning journey of at your own pace.

Access the digital tool kit

Did you know?

An estimated 466,000 Canadians over the age of 15 are living with some degree of dual sensory loss, and in many parts of the country, they don’t have access to Deafblind services.

Other Events

Yarnbombing

Deafblind Community Services has joined the global campaign to build awareness about people who are Deafblind by engaging in "yarn bombing" or tactile art installations for the month of June.

Yarn bombing is an activity that takes knitted, crocheted or loomed squares of yarn and attaches them to objects or structures in public places as a form of street art. For the second year in a row, this initiative is uniting countries around the world to build a better understanding about people who are Deafblind.

This year, in 2024, we'll be yarnbombing in select locations in Ontario! Visit the installations at the Shenkman Arts Centre, the Ottawa Public Library, and the Brantford Public Library.

A knitted square of yarn with the text “DBCS” sewn on top. There are buttons sewn onto the letters to represent the braille for each letter.
A woman places the finishing touches on a colourful yarn blanket that is hung against a fence. There are several tactile elements, and braille that can be felt.

Photo gallery

Check out the gallery to browse from some of our favourite images taken by our clients, staff, and supporters during Deafblind Awareness Month!

Browse the gallery