Yarn bombing, hidden coins raise Deafblind awareness in Sudbury

Eight vibrant yarn displays are set up across Greater Sudbury as part of Deafblind Awareness Month. Lyndsay Aelick has more.

June marks National Deafblind Awareness Month, and Greater Sudbury businesses and organizations are participating in yarn bombing installations to draw attention to the cause.

“Essentially, it’s wrapping (yarn) around certain items or putting up installations across the world entirely, just to generate a little bit more awareness,” said Crystal Pigeon-Way, community engagement manager for DeafBlind Ontario.

Eight installations are set up across Greater Sudbury, including an ‘Under the Sea’ themed display at Bay Used Books – the store’s second year participating.

“We had people stopping their cars to ask what was going on. People walking in the street. It drew people into the store to want to see what else is coming,” said Julie Hayes, assistant manager at Bay Used Books.

“It was great to talk about DeafBlind Ontario services, to talk about what yarn bombing is, because it’s kind of neat.”

Other participating locations include:

• Mange Restaurant
• Valley East Public Library
• Valley East Lions Club
• Parkside Older Adult Centre (inside the Sudbury YMCA)
• Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin
• DeafBlind Ontario Supported Living Home on Westmount Avenue
• 4 Colorful Coins of Sudbury

Greater Sudbury is the only Ontario community with multiple yarn bombing locations this year.

A new addition is the Colourful Coins of Sudbury Hunt, featuring four yarn-bombed nickels hidden around the city.

“You find the nickel, relocate it, scan the QR code, upload a photo, and leave it for the next person to find,” said Pigeon-Way.

DeafBlind Ontario officials noted the coin hunt is exclusive to Sudbury, but if successful, it could expand to other Ontario cities next year.

According to Statistics Canada’s 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, more than 602,000 Canadians over 15 identify as deafblind – over two per cent of the population. Notably, 52 per cent of deafblind individuals are 65 or older.

Pigeon-Way told CTV News that while DeafBlind Ontario operates provincewide, it runs three supported living homes in Greater Sudbury, assisting nine individuals.

She said deafblindness affects a smaller population, making it a less highlighted disability.

“The awareness-building piece is really just for people to understand deafblindness, how they can get involved, and supporting people who are deafblind—enhancing accessibility across the province or the world, or however that looks within our own communities,” said Pigeon-Way.

“Just really providing those supports – those integral supports – that they need to live their best lives in their hometown.”

Organizers said the coins will circulate the city, and installations will remain up throughout June to promote inclusion, creativity and connection.