MPP Arnott calls for improved services for the deaf
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2016
MPP Arnott calls for improved services for the deaf
(Queen’s Park) – Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott is calling on the Government to
improve services for Ontarians who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In a statement in the Ontario Legislature on November 23, Mr. Arnott raised a number of issues facing the deaf brought to his attention by Georgetown resident Chris Kenopic.
“Mr. Speaker, during the summer, I had a remarkable meeting in our Riding Office with Mr. Chris Kenopic of Georgetown,” Mr. Arnott told MPPs. “Mr. Kenopic, who is deaf, challenges us in the Ontario Legislature to listen: to listen to the needs of the deaf, to hear them, and to heed them.”
Mr. Arnott highlighted several challenges that deaf Ontarians face, based on Mr. Kenopic’s
recommendations.
“In health care, there has very little progress in improving mental health services for the deaf.
Why has the Government largely ignored this concern?” Mr. Arnott observed.
Mr. Arnott pointed out that the deaf face similar challenges in education.
“In education, there are regulations that interpreters must be available for deaf students, but
school boards do not write or enforce the policies. What’s the point of having regulations if they are not enforced?” he asked.
“In adult literacy, there needs to be better empirical analysis of the needs of the deaf so we can
determine what’s working and what we need to do to make improvements,” Mr. Arnott
continued. “How can we make a positive difference if we don’t have reliable data?”
Mr. Arnott urged the Government to listen to the concerns being raised by deaf Ontarians and to take steps to deal with these challenges.
“I urge the Government to reach out to Mr. Kenopic and review these concerns. Better yet, the
relevant Ministers should launch a broad consultation on these and other related issues that
Ontario’s deaf residents might identify,” Mr. Arnott said. “Let us listen to the deaf, and let us
work together across party lines to support improved services for them, ensuring that they have the same opportunity to reach their full potential as the rest of us do as, together, we reach out to embrace the promise of the future.”
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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org