Dozens turned out for a major milestone in Greater Sudbury on Wednesday as the community marked the first flag raising for International Week of Deaf People and International Day of Sign Languages. The event was organized by the Centre and Deafblind Ontario Services and took place at the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf in Sudbury. “We’re celebrating deaf culture, identity and history by raising the flag here in Sudbury for the first time,” said Natalie Lamondin, director of community services and programs at the Bob Rumball Centre for Deaf Sudbury. “It’s been done in other communities. But it’s never been done here in northern Ontario.” Derek Rumball, president of the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre, said flag raisings are taking place across the province and across the country. “International sign language day is that one day a year that we can celebrate truly with the whole world what sign language is,” he said. “All the variations, whether it’s LSQ or ASL or the tactile languages that we use here in Ontario.” For Gilbert Guerin, it was a special moment to have the day celebrated close to home. “Two years ago, I’d have to drive all the way to Ottawa or Toronto in order to see the flag raising,” Guerin said. “But this year, I don’t have to because we have it here. It’s so inspiring to have the flag to celebrate the day here.” He said the recognition of sign language in general is important because it was difficult for him being deaf while he was growing up. ‘I struggled a lot growing up’ “Sign languages are very important because I went to a deaf school when I was younger and I wasn’t allowed to sign; I was forced to do the oral method,” Guerin said. “I struggled a lot growing up.” The Bob Rumball Centre opened in Sudbury about a year ago and Lamondin said it welcomes more than 20 people a week. The centre offers various supports, services and programs, including silent bingo and silent taco-making night. “People are just really enjoying coming here. They feel like this is an outlet, a place where they can meet new people, practice the sign language that they learned,” she said. “It’s a lifeline for some people. Some people come here because they don’t want to be isolated anymore, and they get to connect with their friends and meet new people.” Sudbury resident Raymond Coutu attended the flag-raising on behalf of his 36-year-old daughter, Maryse. Maryse was born partially deaf and blind, and lives at one of the Deafblind Ontario homes in Sudbury. “When we heard about Ontario Service Services and the intervenors, the work they do with her to try to give her a life, we were amazed,” Coutu said. “It’s helped us as a family to have services for her and to feel comfortable with it.” Coutu said Deafblind Ontario has been a lifeline for his family. “They take her shopping. She was just at the ‘50-‘60s concert on Monday night,” he said. “So she’s not just staying in, in the living room watching TV all day kind of thing. She’s got a life, she’s able to get out, and, for us, we bring her back home every two weeks.” Crystal Pigeon-Way, Deafblind Ontario Services director of supportive services, said that while there have been strides made towards inclusion, there’s still a long way to go. “Even if you could learn one sign or a couple of signs, it really does help build that inclusion and break down barriers for the people that are living in our city,” Pigeon-Way said. Lamondin estimates 150 people in Greater Sudbury use English sign language, and 30 use French sign language.
