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January and February Presentation and News I am going to start providing monthly updates of activities or promotions that may pique your interests. I will continue to offer additional posts celebrating commemorative days or upcoming conferences/workshops that may be of interest to you. For the first installment, I will be combining both January and February…

This is the first year British Columbia has announced October 11-18, ShakeOut BC Week with the annual earthquake drill occuring on October 17th at 10:17 a.m. British Columbia Earthquake Alliance (https://bcearthquakealliance.ca/) has been instrumental in advocating for individuals across British Columbia to practice annual earthquake drills. Earthquakes can occur anywhere. Want to participate in ShakeOutBC?…

Today is the last of the series for National Guide Dog Awareness Month. Below are my personal suggestions for any guide or service dog handler to add to their 72-hour “GO” kit and your vehicle kit. Store your dog’s medical and emergency information in your bag AND in a cloud-storage space to access through your…

Any person who is blind, visually-impaired or deafblind utilizing a guide dog for independent travel have public access rights under Canadian’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Each province have differing languages pertaining to either guide or service dog access. Reception centers are public places. Emergency management professionals should accommodate individuals using a guide dog…

First of the weekly series for National Guide Dog Awareness Month, I’ll be providing some tips for emergency managers to check out and share with their networks. Guide dogs vs Canes: Individuals who are blind, visually-impaired or deafblind will either use a white cane or a guide dog to aid in their daily travels safely…

There are many programs that offer studies in the field of Disaster or Emergency Management. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree through the Justice Institute of British Columbia; however, there are many universities or colleges that provide opportunities that fit your needs. Below are a list of Canadian post-secondary institutions that offer, associate degree,…

Although I do not work out in the field, self-care and having a strong work/life balance is just as important to me. I juggle working part-time, school part-time, participating in various committees, CNIB Deafblind Community Services Ambassador, and running the consulting business. I wake up early every day, weather permitting, to get out for a…

Growing up, none of us knew what direction life would take me. I fell behind compared to sighted and hearing individuals; in particular, in early primary and high school. The supports in place did not prepare me for the post-secondary or employment adventure. I left high school early due to mental and physical health woes…

Below are a list of Canadian and International web sites relating to Deafblind Awareness Month or deafblindness in general. Canadian Deafblind Association: https://www.cdbanational.com/deafblind-awareness-month/ CNIB Deafblind Community Services: https://deafblindservices.ca/DeafblindAwarenessMonth Canadian Helen Keller Center: https://www.chkc.org/2020/05/june-is-national-deafblind-awareness-month/ Deafblind International: https://www.deafblindinternational.org/ World Federation of the Deafblind: https://wfdb.eu/

Excerpt from Accessibility Standards Canada’s LinkedIn page: “Proud to keep #Canada at the forefront of accessibility in the ICT sector! We’ve adopted the European accessibility standard for ICT products and services, making it a National Standard of Canada.” For more details visit: https://ow.ly/tVCW50RWSNR

Definition: “Accessibility refers to the design and implementation of products, services, environments, and technologies that are usable by people with a wide range of disabilities encompassing physical, cognitive, visual, auditory, and other disabilities. ” This year’s theme is: “Forward Together, Accessibility and Inclusion for All. What does the theme mean to you? Are there barriers…

A few weeks ago, I presented to a group of emergency management professionals during Emergency Preparedness Week on a few accessibility issues in two of the four pillars of the emergency management cycle. A recording of the session will be available for viewing on YouTube–stay tuned for the link at a later date! Three key…

If a tsunami hits close to shore, it can vertically reach up to 100 feet up sea level; however, Alaska’s 1958 tsunami reached 1,700 feet which was triggered by a landslide. If you live near coastal regions, do you know where your high ground is? If you travel to an area where tsunamis could occur,…

April 14-20 is Tsunami Preparedness Week Some communities are participating in a “High Ground Hike” to learn where to go if/when an alert of a Tsunami occurs after an earthquake. The Government of BC shares a few details at this link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/education-programs-toolkits/high-ground-hike Every day of this week, I’ll be sharing a few tidbits or trivia…

In Canada, we will soon be able to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” earlier before the shaking occurs. The new Earthquake Earning Warning (EEW) will provide notification of expected shaking to reduce injuries, death and even property loss. Natural Resources Canada designed the new warning system for moderate to high earthquake hazards, with the consideration…