Provincial Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Provincial Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (PSDHH) provides supports and services to children who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf blind to maximize their potential and become fully participating citizens.

In this section, you will find info on the programs and services offered to individuals, parents, caregivers and communities for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

For additional information on services provided by PSDHH read the PSDHH Services brochure. This brochure is available in other languages by clicking here.

	Related MCFD Sections: For more info on related services and programs, please visit: Children & Youth with Special Needs

Current Focus/Projects

• PSDHH staff are now using CARIS, a highly secure client information system, to record all client services. CARIS will capture client and care or treatment information, providing a consistent record of client information and services, and is intended for use by both ministry and contracted service providers. It has been developed specifically to meet the needs of clients and service providers in the the four PSDHH program areas.
• PSDHH is collaborating with Ministry of Health Agencies on implementing the BC Early Hearing Program. The BC Early Hearing Program is a screening and intervention program that is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Family Development.
• PSDHH is working with Early Childhood Development agencies to implement the second-year funding for preschool Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation.
• MCFD has provided a grant to Family Network for Deaf Children to loan parents of Deaf children a video phone that can be used over the internet line. The loan program will allow isolated Deaf children to be able to connect with other Deaf children around the Province. The use of the videophone will enable parents to access services that is otherwise unavailable in their home communities.
• MCFD has provided a grant to the UBC Faculty of Education (Visually Impaired Teacher Training Program) to carry out Orientation and Mobility training for Teachers. This grant will fund up to 6 professionals with the ability to provide Orientation and Mobility training services to children with visual impairment or blindness. The training will also have a strong preschool component that will address the service needs around the Province of BC.

	Provincial Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is fully accredited through the Council on Accreditation (COA).