Peterborough Examiner Referrer

Library yarn bombed for DeafBlind cause

Organization helps those 18 and older who are affected by the dual sensory loss condition

ALEX SCHUMMER EXAMINER REPORTER ASCHUMMER @PETERBOROUGHDAILY.COM

Yarn bombing installations were set up at the Peterborough Public Library and the local DeafBlind Ontario Services building on Friday to kick off National DeafBlind Awareness Month in Peterborough.

Deaf blindness is a combination of hearing and vision loss that both meet the legal requirement percentages, according to Miranda Komar, community engagement manager for DeafBlind Ontario Services Central East division.

“I think it’s important to note that it’s not necessarily total deafness and blindness,” Komar said. “We support varying degrees and it’s very cool to work with this population, because again, everybody’s so unique.”

More than one per cent of Canada’s population, or about 466,420 people, are deafblind, with just under half living in Ontario.

“At DeafBlind Ontario Services itself, we support 80 individuals across the province,” she said. “We are in remote areas as well as urban centres.”

Currently, there are 16 individuals in Peterborough with varying degrees of deaf blindness that are supported by the non-profit organization.

“We support nine individuals residentially in Peterborough. We do offer supported independent living as well in Peterborough, to seven residents,” she said.

The organization assists these individuals with different daily activities and communication with the community, depending on their individual abilities.

“We’re the bridge between communicating further into the community,” Komar said.

Additionally, DeafBlind Ontario Services helps those afflicted reach their dreams and goals, she said

“Every person we work with completes a Living My Best Life test. So that gives us information about their dreams, goals, and aspirations,” Komar said.

“Then we create growth plans and goals to achieve with their direct support professional.”

The annual yarn bombing, which has now been held at Peterborough Public Library for two years, is a form of tactile art that allows those affected by deaf blindness the ability to express themselves, she said.

“These tactile art installations highlight the many talents and contributions, of the individuals who are deafblind as a symbol of people coming together in the field of deaf blindness,” Komar said. “Drawing on a spirit of unity and fostering connections with the community.”

The Peterborough Public Library is thrilled to continue hosting the annual yarn bombing each year, said library CEO Jennifer Jones.

“In addition, we had a couple of representatives from the Council for People with Disabilities come look at all of our Braille signage,” Jones said. “They were able to actually resign some of the things that we had signed incorrectly, and then add some additional signage.” Donations can be made yearround online at the website tinyurl.com/794r7xd2.

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2023-06-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-03T07:00:00.0000000Z

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