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PAGE 16. WTITIW 1REV, PRESS, WEbNESDAY, JIJLY 26, 1989 By Trudie Zavadovie With necessity being the mother of invention when Fred and Iva Walker hacl no place to g o locally to help them cope with Iva's deafness, they founded The Oshawa DeafCentre in 1981. In May 1982 it was incorpora- ted as a registered, non-profit organization and today operates from 750 King St. E. In a bouse donated by the Oshawa Central Lions Club in 1984. In 1986 the Walkers moved to Toronto, but left the centre in the capable banda of executive director Ray Richer - deaf since birtb. He exhibits a gentie, purpose- fuI cornmitmient to meet the needs of the deaf and heaning impaired, an attitude that is shared by the centre's volun- teers. "Lasi; year 66 volunteers wor- ked over 1,000 bours," says Richer. "Volunteers do anything from renovations ta lifeskills. pro- grams. Sign language is not needed for renovations but is 1200 needed for much of the work. «Many of our v'olunteers take American àign language (ASL). It is a beautiful language. Once' they learn it, people are fascina- ted with it and want to use it. That's how we get many of our volunteers. .Other functions of the centre include organizing .recreational activities, funidraising, job place- ment and sign language instruc- tion. '7iht now the average deaf person bas a Gr. 5 educatiom~ A volunteer mighit teach a deaf person how to bank or ride a bus. The most burninq issues for the deaf are education and un- «.ieYIihave the highest rate of underemployment and un- employmeBnt,' says Richer. -«This frustrates many people and we have'a real problem with sub- stance abuse. Richer attributes the rate of underemploymffent to the lack of scbools for the deaf. "Most deaf people know ASL. We need ea teachers in deaf schools. A hearing person doesn't understand the world of a deaf person. Theyare so intent on 1. m -iug u4-a11pr ri"y U M (rather graduate wit a Gr.1 education and have lousy speech," says Richer. «Right now, the average deaf person bas Gr. 5 education. It is important for deaf people ta bhave raIe models. "We are sick and tired of being I unemployed and under- employed," says Richer. "On May 12, we held a Canada-wide pro- test pushing for deaf education. Did you kflOW It was very well attended in Luatspte of the pouring rain." ffiaRaising money and making sure the deaf get proper services the average is a constant objective of the centre. EI.R HM RL ] American "lLast year over 1,200 deaf inELLY CH MBERLAI pepe used our services," says of Brookli Otmss donates Richer. "A largeprcnage of Richard, executivedret that use was for interpretation. awa Deaf Centre, look thiree times "I'd like the conimunity t know that we don't just serve the moredeaf but also the hearing im- ai; the centre for the past four paied," he says. «Seniors are years.Hsdghrwasuf- to hartv frn affcted by loss of hearing ing from bearing irnpairment tocari as well as many factory wor-an that led him to seek out the kers." centre. His daugbter's hearing ffianThe centre provides telephone bas returned t» normal but aveagedevices, as well as other caping Mackey stili belps out, at the the aeragedevices for the deaf and bearing centre. imaired. "I bave gotten totally in- Canaian?(Téconduci; this interview, 1 mersed in sign language. They A,-~~d ~~ was furnisbed witb an FM sys -____________ Andif not tem wbich cut off background noise. It didn't disturb the hear- bec.ause ing aid- that Ray Richer wears 7Ueoentre prvideS and enabled me ta take notes asx thiey eam 1Ia speaking with him. It is telephone deuices as well as crucial wben speaking ta, a deaf more money persan ta, lookhim/her right.in oheopigdies th eye when engagmngim conver- eife.sation. Due ta thie circumstances _______________ of the interview, this was not possible and this-devioe met Our are beautiful people and some needs for that situation.) are good friends today.N He The giving begfins with yu The deaf centre is well utilized works at the centre an average af and bas many events throughout three times a week. ILthe year., Mayfest, a Christmas Mackey is now working on a prty for hearm*g iznpaired chul- fundraiser. The Canadian Deaf dren. and a grand bail are national hocke-y teani will play 4~ uannual events put on by the the NHL Oldtfimers ai; Osbawàq Oshawa Deaf Centre. Civie Auditorium an -Oct. 28. Dennis M ak howrs o I used ta be involved h in inor the - Durham giozl , >lke .hgçkpy -a=4 trneZ0I4ýIxg J9uth BiJeau bas volunteered could do," ýsays rdackey. N, president ,and Ray ir of the Osh- over a 6-ft. balloon donated to the centre by Optixnists to help publicize special events. Free Press photo «The deaf team cames from ail over Canada,» he says, pointing out; Winnip*eg London Saskat- chewan, Kicener anâ Ottawa as some places of origin for I thought about this twa years ago,» says Mackey.« started arganizing this bak i n Deoember with about 10 volunteers. Nick Redinond will be instrumental in the organization. "We bave also invited Michael J. Fox (bis dream was ta become an NHL player but b e was taa small. If he cornes they are plan- ning ta bave him skate wit the NHLiers) and Marlee Matlin, ('Children of a Lesser God'). "It's gai'ng ta.be a lot of fun and I urge 1,usinesses out there tao pehone in and advertise in aur bockey pragraxn. The centre is 9 'home-away- from-home' for. the deaf, hearing impaired and volunteers. "It's always a challange ta ro- vide uality service for the geaf andhearng 1împaired,» says Bicher. "There's a ways a need for better communication and ta ~f~h ds i*iqn'and brep te rL OSHAWA DEAF CENTRE PurpcSe: ta provide_ services, instruction and activities far the deaf Membership: 66 volunteers Fmdraisintg Varius events' Contact:. Ray Richer 750 King St. E. Oshawa 579-3328 Deaf .ontre serve