ASL Club

Posted on By Communications Team

ASLgraphicStarting this fall, the DDRC will have a drop-in American Sign Language (ASL) Club for both clients and employees.

The ASL Club will be run by Crysta Trask, the DDRC’s Creative Coordinator, and Samantha Archibald, a Community Resource Worker.

According to Trask, the goal of the club will be to help improve the communication opportunities for individuals who have a hearing impairment, are deaf, or have a communication disability.

“My main goal for this club is to increase quality of life for all clients, as well as developing a stronger, closer DDRC community where everyone can be heard, acknowledged, and appreciated,” Trask said.

Archibald explained how isolating not being able to have a conversation with someone can be, which is an issue she hopes to overcome with this club.

“Some of our clients communicate with ASL or writing only, and that can be lonely,” Archibald said. “This can open communication for current and future DDRC clients.”

The club’s first meeting will be on September 9; the club will run biweekly.

Did you know that there are at least 137 distinct sign languages in existence? Although Quebec uses its own system (Quebec Sign Language), most of Canada uses American Sign Language. Much like differences in spoken English, there are different dialects across the country. For example, there are three different ways to sign the word “about” – a variation in the Atlantic provinces, one in Ontario, and a third used in the west and north of the country.

The Writer’s Corner: Kaleigh & Julie

Posted on By Communications Team

We’ve always known it’s true, but we are excited to be able to share it: the DDRC’s got talent! This month, we were approached by two separate individuals, each with a passion for writing and a story to share. So without further ado, we introduce to you: The Writer’s Corner.

Kaleigh
Kaleigh on the cover of Connection magazine.

 

 

Readers might remember PACE client Kaleigh Mirosch from the last time she was featured in our enewsletter, or from the cover of the Spring 2013 issue of Connection magazine. The food connoisseur shared her latest review with us: Starbucks in Britannia.

 

 

JulieP
Central Team CRW Julie Picoc

Julie Picoc joined the DDRC’s Comprehensive Care team in 2013, and became a Community Resource Worker with the Central Team in September of 2014. Before coming to the DDRC, she worked as a teacher and a nanny in both the Philippines and Hong Kong.

She has been in Calgary for seven years, and insists that she even likes our Alberta winters! The hardest thing for Julie is being away from her family, but she is motivated to stay by a desire to provide for her children.

Julie has been writing poetry since high school, but has had a hard time dedicating time to her art while working full-time. She is making it a priority to spend more time writing again. She says that her work is inspired by everyday life, sharing that “since I am away from my family, I love to write about life.”

What then could be a more appropriate title for the poem that she has chosen to share with us? Click here to read Julie’s poem, “Life.”

 

The content of these submission do not reflect the views of the DDRC.

Meet Our Team Leaders: Shannon Mills

Posted on By Communications Team
PACE Team Leader, Shannon Mills
PACE Team Leader, Shannon Mills

The DDRC’s PACE program has been offering support to young adults making the transition from high school into the post secondary or working world since 1996. Team Leader Shannon Mills has shared a bit about herself and why she works here.

When did you start at the DDRC?

I started with the DDRC in October 1993.

What made you want to work here?

I was a student at Mount Royal University in the Rehabilitation program (now Disability Studies), and answered an ad to work in the group homes that the DDRC used to own.  I have been with the DDRC ever since in a variety of different roles, but I must say that the Team Leader role is so far my favorite!

What’s the best thing about being a Team Leader?

What I like best about it is the people that I get to see and work with on a daily basis. All of the management team, members of Career and Leisure Services teams, a variety of people from other departments, the PACE team Community Resource Workers, and of course the clients! Every day is a new and exciting day and I love the DDRC community as a whole.

Can you share a recent success story from the PACE team?

PACE has been growing rather fast, and we are currently supporting 48 clients. The team has been very welcoming and has embraced the growth with eagerness and excitement. We have many clients successfully pursuing their education and career goals, and to share a comment from a newer client when asked how things were: “PACE is just blowing my mind!” (In a good way.)

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I love to travel and have been lucky enough to do so! I have been to many places, but still on my list is Australia!