Latest news with #DeafCommunity
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Marlee Matlin tells her story in an intimate and groundbreaking documentary
Actor Marlee Matlin, left, and director Shoshannah Stern pose for a portrait to promote "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore" on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) When American Masters approached Marlee Matlin about doing a documentary, Matlin had one name in mind to direct: Shoshanna Stern. Like Matlin, Stern is deaf. She also hadn't directed before. But Matlin, who herself became the first deaf person in the Directors Guild of America just a few years ago, was certain she was up to the task. The resulting film, 'Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore' is an intimate look at her life: Growing up in a hearing family; winning the best actress Oscar at 21 for her first movie role in 'Children of a Lesser God,' which film critic Rex Reed at the time called a 'pity vote'; what she's described as an abusive romantic relationship with her co-star, the late William Hurt, which he denied; getting sober; and her experiences in an industry not equipped to accommodate deaf actors. It's also an evocative portal into the world of the deaf community that uses groundbreaking techniques and sound design to put American Sign Language (ASL) and visual communication first. The film opens in select theaters Friday. While Matlin told much of her story in the memoir 'I'll Scream Later,' on some level it wasn't a completely satisfactory experience. Before the #MeToo movement, its revelations were not treated entirely seriously in the media. But a documentary also provided an opportunity. 'We communicate visually,' she said. Matlin and Stern spoke though translators to The Associated Press about the 'CODA' effect, making the doc on their terms, and why they hope Reed sees this film. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity. AP: Shoshanna, what was your approach? STERN: I had never seen a deaf person direct an episode of TV or film. Never. I thought, what does that even look like? I didn't realize until I took the job that really the whole form of documentary as we know it is really rooted in sound, in the assumption that people will be speaking and they can speak. I thought, what are we going to do when we're using American Sign Language? I have to reframe a whole form of documentary. We have to be able to see what a visually-based documentary is going to look like. We wouldn't do justice to Marlee's life if I had forced this form that really wasn't rooted in the way that she experienced this life. And that was exciting to do. Scary for some people out there, but I never felt scared in making this documentary because she believed in me. MATLIN: If I had had a hearing director approach me to do this project, we could have done a very good job, but that person would not have seen me in the same way. They would not have the same lens as a deaf person. AP: What were some techniques you used to spotlight the deaf experience? STERN: I did want to film with captions in mind, so I made sure that we did have a wider frame. We figured out visual voiceover with a split screen that we added. We did this little surgery with words and syllables in one of the scenes where we mixed them all around to be able to bring people into how Marlee experiences conversations and the world. We wanted to make this documentary an immersive experience for the audience members, a sensory experience to help them understand. AP: 'CODA' felt like a big moment, but in the years since it won the Oscar, have you seen things change? MATLIN: 'CODA' certainly was a milestone and respected by so many people in the industry. It tackled a lot of things that both deaf and hearing people or audiences can identify with. I love the fact that they burnt in the captions. That you can't just turn it off. And I hoped that all the love we received and the three Academy Awards that we got would make a difference. It was honored on so many other levels too as well, whether we're talking about (director) Sian (Heder) or you're talking about Troy (Kotsur) or the SAG award which was just a dream come true, specifically of mine. I took that opportunity to specifically address that that we 'exist,' that we want to be actors just like you, we want to be directors, we want be producers, we want to be hair and wardrobe stylists. We want to work in all levels of production. So 'CODA' really elevated that conversation about how much we wanted to be part of the industry. But for some reason it didn't really break open the door as wide as I would have thought. Yet we just don't give up. We are persistent. Because it is what it is. We are working on our own levels to make changes. STERN: Marlee said something really brave when we were at Sundance. She said, 'It won't last.' The moment, yes, in the moment. But I don't know if we have movement. MATLIN: There's so many stories that we can tell, so many stories that you can put up on screen, so many stories that we can put on stage. I'd like to see action because I've been hearing that, 'Yes, we have to do this' or 'I will do this,' but it's been 40 years. I don't want to sound like I'm complaining. I just want to make sure that we put our money where our mouth is. I go back to that comment about Rex Reed. I wonder if he would ever see this film. I'd love to see if he has the balls to make a comment and say, 'Oh look, I realize I might have said something wrong.' That's just one example of the things I'd like to see happen. And maybe the people who interviewed me over the years. I don't want you to misunderstand me, I have a great deal of respect for them. But specifically, I am calling out Rex Reed. So, you know, sorry but not sorry. Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Leading Labour Groups and Deaf Organizations Question Canadian Hearing Services Rating as Strike Drags On
Article content TORONTO — With Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Ontarians still desperately without services, community allies, labour groups, and elected leaders have delivered an open letter to Accreditation Canada questioning the high rating received by Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). Article content The letter reads, in part: 'The situation at CHS has been deteriorating for years, a decline felt not only by workers but also by clients. […] These problems are not minor. They are structural. And they are the result of a leadership model that has consistently prioritized executive pay and centralized control over staff well-being and service delivery.' Article content Along with hundreds of community members, high profile signatories include: Article content Marit Styles, Leader, Ontario NDP Laura Walton, President, Ontario Federation of Labour Fred Hahn, President, CUPE Ontario JP Hornick, President, OPSEU/SEFPO Tamara Witcher, President, OSSTF D30 representing workers at E.C. Dury, Robarts and Sir James Whitney Schools for the Deaf Patricia Grenier, President, Northern Ontario Association of the Deaf Brad Evoy, Executive Director, Disability Justice Network of Ontario Sherry Caldwell, Founder, Ontario Disability Coalition Les Sicoli, Representative, Ottawa Deaf Seniors Article content CHS first sought the stamp of approval from Accreditation Canada, a respected standards body in the medical community, when Julia Dumanian took over as CEO. Coming from the hospital sector, Dumanian brought a medicalized model to CHS which clients have noted severed ties between the Deaf community and the agency while treating Deafness as a disability instead of an identity. Article content The letter ends with a plea for Accreditation Canada to take into account labour relations at an agency that is currently experiencing its second prolonged service disruption under Dumanian's leadership. Article content 'What does it mean for an agency to receive exemplary standing when Deaf clients are saying they're not having their needs met? It's not just this strike, which CHS forced on workers and CHS has shown zero interest in resolving. For years, CHS has been moving in the wrong direction, putting distance between itself and the Deaf community while undervaluing the very workers who deliver their critical services,' said Fred Hahn, president of CUPE Ontario. 'That sentiment among the community CHS is meant to serve should make Accreditation Canada question the agency's rating.' Article content Workers at Canadian Hearing Services, represented by CUPE 2073, have been on strike since April 28. There have been no talks since May 21 with CHS refusing to return to the table. Members remain focused on a fair, multi-year deal that provides stability for workers and improved services for Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Ontarians. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
National Post
10-06-2025
- Health
- National Post
Deaf and hard of hearing organizations call for Canadian Hearing Services to get back to the table and end the 7-week strike
Article content TORONTO — Missed medical appointments, missing hearing aids, and all manner of services for Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Ontarians missing in action: that is the result of a seven week long strike at Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). Now two leading Deaf and hard of hearing advocacy groups are calling attention to the deleterious impact on their already marginalized communities. Article content In an open letter recorded in American Sign Language by Vanessa Floros, treasurer of the Ontario Association of the Deaf (OAD), and viewed more than 2,000 times online, the OAD makes clear that they have reached out to CHS' management about the deep and painful disruption Deaf people are experiencing but have not received a response. Article content The silence we have gotten from CHS is heartbreaking. As the stories, the concerns, complaints and anger pour in, we have seen them. Some of us have, as Deaf citizens, responded and tried to help, but we too have been suffering with the loss of our therapists, our interpreters, our support system, and our independence. We do not place blame on the strikers […] After consulting with the Deaf community, it must be made clear that the strike is now a human rights issue. Article content The open letter concludes with an impassioned plea: 'With the silence of CHS, we, your biggest consumers, the Deaf community, mourn the decline of an organization that once brought joy, hope, and independence to us and we place the blame solely on those that refused to communicate, refused to let us help, and refused to let our community thrive.' Article content The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association's own letter addressed directly to Accreditation Canada and the ministers responsible for funding the agency echoed those concerns: 'It is distressing to witness the deterioration of access to essential programs and support mechanisms for a community already facing systemic barriers.' Article content The two bargaining teams last met on May 21 during which time CHS management refused to put forward an offer, refused to consider the members' proposals, refused to agree to new dates to bargain, and insisted that four unreasonable demands be met, including a media blackout, before negotiations resumed. Since then, they have ignored repeated requests to get back to bargaining. Article content 'This support means so much to workers. We desperately want to get back to the table to get a good deal so we can get back to doing jobs that contribute to the joyful lives of Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing people,' said Mara Waern, president of CUPE 2073 and an employee consultant with more than 30 years' experience at CHS. 'For that we need a willing partner. CHS put these roadblocks in place and it's only CHS that can remove them. We're grateful to have leaders in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities in our corner.' Article content Article content Article content Article content For more information, please contact: Article content Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oriole seniors take flight at MSD graduation, after year of dreaming big
For the new graduates at the Maryland School for the Deaf, Friday's commencement ceremony was the culmination of a year of big plans and accomplishments. The school's theme for the past year was 'Dream Big.' Class president Truly Austin urged her classmates to make the most of life as they move on from their time in 'this big, beautiful Deaf community' at the school. 'Go out there, enjoy it, and write that story,' Austin said through a sign language interpreter during Friday's ceremony in the school's gymnasium at its Frederick campus. There's a map for everyone's future, and while Friday's ceremony was the end of one part of life's journey, it was the start of another, she said. 'Remember, your map is waiting for you to create,' she said. This year's class had 24 graduates, according to Amy Mowl, the school's director of public relations. Austin, of Mount Airy, was busy during her time at MSD. Along with being the class president and a member of the National Honor Society, she played basketball and volleyball, was on the school's track team, and played softball as a freshman. She will attend the University of Maryland in the fall, and major in psychology. She knows attending college will be a change from what she's used to, but she's excited to face the challenge. 'I want to see what it's like to navigate the hearing world,' she said in an interview as she and her classmates got ready before Friday's ceremony. Tahoe Herzig-Wilcox was another multi-sport star for the Orioles, playing football, basketball, and volleyball, as well as being a member of the National Honor Society and one of the school's Top Scholars. He plans to major in accounting and play volleyball at Gallaudet University in the fall. He was still processing the end of his time at MSD before Friday's ceremony, for which he was one of two student speakers, along with Austin. 'It doesn't feel real. It's kind of surreal right now. It kind of snuck up on us,' he said in an interview through an interpreter. He said his summer would be busy with sports, attending a volleyball camp in Texas and a basketball tournament in Las Vegas. Otherwise, he will just be getting ready for college and working to make extra money, he said. In his speech Friday, Herzig-Wilcox urged his classmates to step outside their comfort zones as they move beyond their days at MSD. They will make mistakes, he said, but they'll never know what they can overcome if they don't try. 'Take the shot. Try the thing that scares you,' he said. Torriah Cunningham had attended the school since she was 4 years old. Cunningham, from Cumberland, said she loved living in the dormitories at the school, and the friends she made there. 'Really, I have a sisterhood with a lot of these girls,' she said through an interpreter. She plans to study early childhood education at Towson University, and wants to teach pre-kindergarten or kindergarten when she graduates. Over the summer, she plans to visit family in Jamaica, as well as work and get ready for college. Graduation is always a bittersweet time, saying goodbye to another class of seniors, John A. Serrano, the school's superintendent, said before the ceremony. 'Graduation never gets old to me. I look forward to it every year,' he said, speaking through an interpreter. At the ceremony, he urged the graduates to think about where they want to be, and how to get to that point. As the year went by, they saw their big dreams grow into accomplishments, he said. But their dreams won't end with Friday's graduation, and they'll need confidence to make their dreams come true, he said. Friday's commencement speaker was John Maucere, an actor and certified deaf interpreter who has appeared on television shows including 'Law & Order,' 'Southland,' and 'Pacific Blue,' and created and portrayed the character SuperDeafy in 'No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie,' among other credits. He urged the graduates to pursue their goals, and accept that mistakes are how to learn in life. 'Your dreams are yours. You're not chasing other people's dreams,' Maucere said.
CBC
30-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Deaf and hard of hearing students bond through beach games in annual event
Olivia Eassie is one of just two students who are deaf or hard of hearing at Spectrum Community School in Saanich, B.C., but she says she's never been self-conscious about it. That's in large part thanks to the sense of community and empowerment she gets from local events, like the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Beach Day, which was held on Wednesday at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich, a municipality in the Greater Victoria area. "My mom's even told me, don't be insecure about it — and I've told her: 'I'm not, I honestly never have been.' I mean, this makes me feel comfortable that I'm deaf when I'm here," Eassie said, looking around at a group of students playing tug-of-war. The beach day, which welcomed 85 deaf and hard of hearing students from across Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, along with teachers and parents, is an annual event hosted by the Greater Victoria School District. For more than 30 years, it's brought students from kindergarten to Grade 12 together with games and ice cream, in the hopes of them building friendships and support networks, said Megan Jantz, a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in the district. At a time when teachers and parents across the province are calling for B.C. to send financial relief to school districts they say are facing increased funding pressures — and limited resources to meet the needs of students with disabilities — it's a welcome moment of celebration. "That's kind of our aim, to have fun, make connections, and for the kids to meet other kids like themselves — because typically they're [one of] like one or two only in a whole school," said Jantz. "They've said they just feel less alone and can be more their true self in environments and situations like this." In addition, the event helps students learn how others have overcome everyday challenges or advocated for themselves, she said. Beach games This year, students did carnival activities, undertook a braille scavenger hunt, chased down "Waldo" — which was Jantz, dressed in a candy-cane striped shirt and a pom-pom winter hat – and competed in an Amazing Race-style competition. The day ended with the three winners of the Amazing Race heaving a trophy over their heads during an awards ceremony, as onlookers raised their open palms, twisting their wrists — a raucous applause in American Sign Language. There were also local disability agencies on hand to let students and their families know about resources. Grade 11 student Eassie has been attending the beach day since she was in elementary school and met one of her closest friends, another girl with hearing loss, at the event years ago. Now, Eassie volunteers at the beach day. Eassie said seeing the faces of younger students light up while playing games or chatting lifts her own spirits. "You don't see a lot of other kids with cochlears, or having the same sort of experience that you had, but this place does that for you," said Eassie, who wears two cochlear implants tucked between her ears and braided hair. Funding concerns weigh on educators Earlier this week, educators and parents raised concerns about funding for disability services and other programs in schools. On Monday, a group of parents across the province rallied at the B.C. Legislature, calling for more funding for public education as numerous districts face budget shortfalls and the threat of looming cuts. Carolyn Howe, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association, said only 70 per cent of the cost for running services for students with disabilities is covered by the province — which can lead to other school programs like music education being cut back. A survey released by the B.C. Teachers' Federation in its 2023-24 report found only 13 per cent of the province's teachers felt the needs of students with disabilities or diverse needs were being completely met. The annual Deaf and Hard of Hearing Beach Day is possible due to partial provincial funding, Jantz said. Although the funding is not currently under threat, she said the school district has limited resources. She is one of just three deaf and hard of hearing teachers providing in-school advocacy and support across the Greater Victoria School District, which she says leaves them "spread quite thin." Accessibility tools — like classroom assisted listening devices and interpreters — also come at a cost. "Funding is definitely hard, but we put a tiny bit of our budget to this [event] because we know the importance and value of this." Events like the beach day show the importance of pushing for these services, both in the classroom and out, she said. "I actually have graduated students who are in university and college asking me when they can come and volunteer because they see the value of the friendships that they've made here, the connections that they've made … just to see that they're not alone is huge," she said.
