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Artistic Ice Cream Social with S5WAVES and Community Support

Last Saturday, S5WAVES – a local Kingston grassroots organization I founded reached a new milestone as we hosted our highly anticipated third Awesome Ice Cream Social. This year’s event was not only a delightful gathering but also an artistic showcase and a heartwarming display of community support. From the talents of four artists displaying their artwork to the captivating performances of two Kingston Circus Art performers and two Deaf storytellers, the Ice Cream Social became a resounding success that left us captivated and filled with gratitude.

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How Customized Training and Resources Can Improve Your Team’s Communication

Hi there, I’m Leah Riddell and I specialize in providing customized training and resources to help businesses and organizations improve their inclusive communication practices in the workplace. In this blog post, I’ll share my insights on the importance of inclusive communication, the challenges Deaf employees and those who communicate differently face, and how I can provide training and resources to help your team build character and better communicate with one another.

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Priortize Deaf ASL Performers for the National Anthem

I express my concern and disappointment to the woman who perform the national anthem recently using ASL at a sporting event in the US. She has not been vetted or even have proper certification or training, which is disrespectful to the deaf and signing community.

Culture appropriation is a serious issue that can cause harm and offense to marginalize communities.

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Meat and Bread

I want to talk about after the conference when my husband and I explored Vancouver downtown. We decided to have lunch, discovered a unique simple business name display and was intrigued by their menu. Meat & Bread on Robson street. We were looking forward to a sandwich which sold out with the people before us. A nice man named Colin appeared and started signing to the best of his ability. Explaining what was available.

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Taboo No More

People around the world are seeing a new generation of Deaf people achieve what is achievable, there are endless online platitudes splashed across social media, recognizing amazing Deaf people who are performers, writers, business owners, and more. 

It has long been taboo to talk about the possibilities of and by Deaf people, some of that do linger today. 

It’s world hearing day.  

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Sticky Situations in Hospitals

Have you ever seen Squid Game? Do you remember the dalgona cookie challenge? How each player had to patiently and methodically lick or prick their way against the countdown before they were eliminated for good? Can you imagine being trapped in a life-threatening situation forced to play a game that may determine whether they survive?

Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients often end up in situations like these, where they are trapped by necessity and circumstance. They show up to the emergency room or to their doctor’s office and are not provided the communication access they need so they can discuss their needs or decisions, often leading to miscommunication, misdiagnosis and mistreatment. 

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Alexander Graham Bell

In the last few years we have learned so much of what has happened and is happening in our country. How it affects people livelihoods. We learn about Every Child Matters, Black Lives Matter. Gay Pride and more. We learn to do better not to repeat history and educate to end hatred, I hope. 

A friend wrote me discussing the latest concern, “People really need to realize it is difficult to find a cis-gendered, heterosexual abled white male in our national history who isn’t problematic. Stop honoring them! They have been honoured! Focus on the people who have been erased or ignored!”

This is regarding the Royal Canadian Mint honouring Alexander Graham Bell not doing their homework. The researchers at the mint have an obligation to dig deeper and be curious about the people they clear for this honour. Google his name and controversy before declaring his worth.

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Amazing Race Canada

Screenshot image of woman pointing at ASL alphabet chart on tv

Did you watch The Amazing Race Canada Tuesday evening???
Did you see biggest secret I kept since April, the race occurred at my old alumni Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf (SJW) in Belleville, Ontario. The show used my ASL alphabet chart!!! I am so honoured to have my illustrations with my logo displayed on the amazing show. 

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Parks Accessibility Conference

Hi. I’m Leah Riddell, artist of the card you just scanned from. I’m honoured and thrilled to be chosen to design for the Parks Accessibility Conference to teach you sign language. Their slogan is “Make Canada’s National Parks Accessible”. I completely agree! We CAN make this happen. A first step to inclusive communication when encountering visitors in the parks is understanding and communicating using some signs! Are you ready to learn?