Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) has been observed in October in Manitoba since 2010, to celebrate the tremendous contributions persons who experience disability make to our workplaces and communities, and to create opportunities for employers to raise awareness about disability employment issues and promote the benefits of inclusive hiring.

RRC Polytech’s commitment to pursuing equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do involves removing barriers to access and participation; and fostering work and learning environments that are welcoming, supportive and respectful of the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Throughout October, we will be featuring examples of how the college advances this commitment and sharing resources to help us advance this commitment in our daily activities.

Keep checking this post in October, as we add new resources or accessibility tips each day, to support us in creating an inclusive and accessible work environment.

If you have any questions or feedback, please email diversity@rrc.ca.

Light it Up! for NDEAM

September 18-24 marks International Week of the Deaf, an annual opportunity to recognize and build awareness of the Deaf and hard of hearing community around the world. This year’s theme is A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere, which reminds us to promote and champion the importance of sign languages as a means of communication, fostering a world where Deaf and hard of hearing individuals can express themselves freely and be fully included in all aspects of society. 

Monday, Sept 18, 2023 – Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children

The Declaration on the Rights of Deaf Children contains 10 articles proclaiming the rights of all deaf children around the world. This declaration is essential in promoting the rights of deaf children.

• To read and sign the declaration, showing your support for Deaf children’s rights around the world, click here. 
• Watch A Deaf Perspective Experience at school (5:14)

Tuesday, Sept 19, 2023 – Building Capacity Across the Globe

Building Capacity Across the Globe is all about raising awareness of Deaf people’s lived experiences and increasing capacities of local Deaf communities around the world. Deaf experiences include audism, which is discrimination against Deaf and hard of hearing individuals based on the belief that the ability to hear or behave as one who can hear is somehow superior. Some associations that support Deaf and hard of hearing individuals locally are:

• Manitoba Deaf Association 
  The MDA promotes and develops accessible, educational, recreational activities and interests for the benefit of the Deaf community. 
  
• Manitoba Cultural Society of the Deaf 
  MCSD-DAM’s vision is to integrate Deaf and non-deaf communities with complete accessibility and to empower Deaf culture, arts, and language. 
  
• Manitoba Deaf Sports Association 
  The mission of MDSA is to encourage participation in sports to strengthen, promote and instill values of cultural association by providing sporting opportunities to members of Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities. 
  
• Deaf Resource Centre 
  The DRC coordinates and/or provides resources, programs and advocacy to enhance the development of the Deaf community. 

Wednesday, Sept 20, 2023 – Realizing Nothing Without Us

Realizing Nothing Without Us is about encouraging governments and organizations to consult Deaf people and Deaf organizations in all projects and initiatives regarding Deaf people and sign languages. The resource below emphasizes the importance of having Deaf people be the ones to teach national sign languages to others and to pass on knowledge of Deaf culture and history. There are ASL classes taught here at the College which you may have seen in Staff News recently! The next offering of ASL classes is in the Winter Term through Continuing Education.

Here are some interesting resources on the topic: 

• Position paper on the primacy of deaf people in the development and teaching of national sign languages 
• Nothing about us without us: disability oppression and empowerment

Thursday, Sept 21, 2023 – Putting Deaf People on the Agenda

“Deaf communities worldwide work to ensure policies and programs reflect the lived realities of deaf people’s lives. Today we call upon national governments, international institutions, research centres, and policymaking bodies to centre deaf people in their work. There is still a significant lack of data on deaf people’s lives and less on the right to use national sign languages. Today we highlight the research done on deaf lives to date and call for more disaggregated data collection and monitoring of deaf people and sign languages.”

–wfdeaf.org 

• DeafDots serves Deaf and hard of hearing individuals across Canada by providing news updates in American Sign Language and La langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).
  
• The Daily Moth is based out of the US delivering news using American Sign Language covering trending stories and Deaf topics with a twist of humour and Deaf culture.

These news sources align with the World Federation of the Deaf’s call for national governments, international institutions, research centres, and policymaking bodies to centre Deaf people in their work. 

Friday, Sept 22, 2023 – Achieving Sign Language Rights for All

In 2014, French Deafblind artist, Arnaud Balard, designed a “Sign Union” flag for Deaf people and signing people who communicate in sign language everywhere. Check out this video of him explaining his vision for how he came up with the design and the meaning behind it.

Learn more about Canada’s six sign languages, including three Indigenous sign languages, through the Canadian Language Museum’s exhibit entitled Sign Language of Canada from the Canadian Language Museum. You can visit the virtual version of this exhibit, here.

Saturday, Sept 23 and Sunday, Sept 24

International Week of the Deaf continues over the weekend with more themes to consider:

• Saturday – International Day of Sign Languages: A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere
• Sunday – Building Inclusive Deaf Communities

To celebrate the use of the diverse sign languages used around the world, on Saturday, September 23, the Esplanade Riel and the landmark “WINNIPEG” sign at The Forks will be lit up in blue!

This year marks the Intercultural Partnership Program’s twentieth year, and it also marks the program’s first time being held in person since 2019. Over the last year, 69 partnerships have formed through the program, with the goal of building deeper intercultural competence and aligning with RRC Polytech’s commitment to embed equity, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

About the Intercultural Partnership Program

The program connects local partners (students and staff who are Canadian-raised or have lived in Canada for at least one year) with global partners (immigrant and international students) for friendship and to explore intercultural connections.

The Intercultural Partnership Program invites partners to explore differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing differences and giving them equal worth and value.

Each partner has lived through specific, unique experiences, and the program is an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives, helping to reciprocally build deeper understanding.

The Making a World of Difference Award

To celebrate partnerships that exemplify the spirit of the Intercultural Partnership Program, every year two pairs of partners per term (Fall and Winter) are recognized with the Making a World of Difference Award. Specifically, partnerships that:

• Embrace equality within the partnership
• Explore cultural differences together and learning from each other
• Are patient and respectful with themselves and one another
• Deliberately seek out new experiences together and embrace time spent together
• Step outside their everyday comfort zones

Meet the 2022-23 Making a World of Difference Recipients

Sui Hong Ma (global partner) and Heather Holens (local partner), Tourism and Hospitality Management students

Wilson Plazarte Cumbal, Automotive Technology student (global partner), and Fred Meier, President and CEO (local partner)

Jenny Martínez, Science Laboratory Technology student (global partner) and Tanya Cole, Nursing Instructor (local partner)

Ka Cheong Law, Hospitality and Tourism Management student (global partner), and José Manuel Castellón Álvarez, Applied Computer Education Instructor (local partner)

Take Part in the Next Intercultural Partnership Program

Intercultural communication is becoming increasingly important in today’s global environment where personal and professional success implies communicating across cultures and drawing from all perspectives, experiences and worldviews. The Intercultural Partnership Program is a fantastic opportunity for local and global partners alike to develop a partnership that supports valuable intercultural communication and leadership skills; helps build your social and professional networks; gets you out and about exploring Winnipeg; and is a lot of fun!

The program is open to all RRC Polytech students, staff and faculty, with two sessions coming up in August 2023 and January 2024.

For any questions, please email iesupport@rrc.ca.

Canadian Multiculturalism Day is celebrated annually on June 27, to recognize the contributions of multicultural groups and communities to Canadian society. The day is an opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity and reaffirm our commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive Canada.

At RRC Polytech, diversity is one of our greatest strengths and celebrated not only on June 27, but year-round. Several equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) working groups at the College collaborate to help raise awareness of celebrations, holidays and observances that align with equity-deserving groups – Women, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with disabilities, Racialized Persons and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

In recognizing days, weeks or months of importance, the goal is to foster understanding and opportunities for learning, and build more inclusive campuses where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. We recognize that we may not capture every holiday or observance that RRC Polytech staff and students celebrate. To support reflecting the diversity within our communities, you’re invited to share what you celebrate (or commemorate).

Multiculturalism Survey

Take the opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity that enriches us collectively and reaffirm your commitment to equity, diversity and mutual respect. We will be sharing stories and photos submitted by staff and students to highlight the strong multicultural RRC Polytech community and to learn more about one another.

For any questions about the Multiculturalism Survey, please contact Lauren Dominici at ldominici@rrc.ca.

As of 2015, June was designated as Deafblind Awareness Month, to help Canadians build an understanding and advocate on behalf of those in their community who are deafblind.

What is Deafblindness?

Persons are considered deafblind if they have dual sensory loss, a combined loss of both vision and hearing, such that neither of the senses of vision and hearing can be used as a primary source of gathering accurate information.

The combination of these sensory losses results in significant difficulties in accessing information, learning, communicating and participating.

• Congenital deafblindness occurs when a person becomes deafblind before language development, usually between three months to two years old.
• Acquired deafblindness occurs later in life through accidents, disease or aging, the latter which is the leading cause of deafblindness.

According to CNIB, an estimated 466,000 Canadians over the age of 15 are living with some degree of dual sensory loss. Deafblindness is a relatively low-incidence disability in Canada, affecting about 1% of the population, but is not recognized as distinct by the Federal Government. Many Canadians who are deafblind lack access to supports and services to help them fully engage in their communities.

Resources for further learning:

• Learn more about the experiences of people living with deafblindness:
  • Jane Sayer, one of the founding members of the Manitoba Deaf-Blind Association
  • Abby Sienko, CNIB Youth Council Member
    
• Discover the Deafblind Manual Alphabet, which uses touch as a method of communication.
  
• Watch the video (below) about Camp Manitou’s Deafblind Summer camp, which was the first of its kind to launch in 2018:

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – a day that was created to raise awareness of the discrimination and violence faced by individuals of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

This year’s theme is “Together Always: United in Diversity”. At RRC Polytech, we believe that diversity is our strength. We are committed to creating inclusive learning and working environments where everyone feels sale, respected, and celebrated. Homophobia, transphobia and biphobia have no place within our college community.

Below are resources and further information on homophobia, transphobia and biphobia to support your learning journeys so that you can counter fear and panic with compassion and reason, and to make a difference in all our communities.

RRC Polytech is committed to being allies for everyone – it doesn’t matter who you are, everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.

On May 17 (every day), take a moment to reflect upon how you can stand up and speak out against discrimination; how you can create a safe and inclusive space that respects all individuals; and how you can support 2SLGBTQIA+ friends and colleagues.

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at diversity@rrc.ca.

Resources:

Being a 2SLGBTQIA+ Ally

Allyship is leadership

How to be an Ally to a Bi+ Person

What Does Trans Allyship Look Like?

Fondation Émergence: The LBGTQ Phobias Are Just As Irrational campaign

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

CCDI’s Glossary of Terms – which includes the following definitions:

• Homophobia: a fear, dislike, or hatred of and discrimination against LGBTQ2+ people. Homophobia presents in many forms, and can be structural/systemic, interpersonal, or internalized.
• Transphobia is the fear, dislike, or hatred of and discrimination against trans* people. Transphobia exists through offensive jokes, exclusion, denial of services, employment discrimination, intentional misgendering, harassment, and violence.
• Biphobia: Fear, dislike, or hatred of and discrimination against bisexual people. Biphobia presents through offensive jokes, exclusion, bi-erasure, harassment, and violence. Biphobia exists both within and outside of the LGBTQ2+ community

The province of Manitoba observes May 28 to June 3, 2023, as Manitoba Access Awareness Week (MAAW). Celebrated annually in conjunction with National AccessAbility Week, its purpose is to raise awareness of accessibility barriers experienced by Manitobans with disabilities and to promote removal of these barriers.

RRC Polytech is committed to developing a culture of diversity and inclusivity for the communities we serve. We believe in equal access to education and employment, and we are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming, supportive and respectful of the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. The College will continue our work to meet, and exceed where possible, the mandate of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA).

To advance this commitment to accessibility, RRC Polytech has created an Accessibility Plan, which is updated every two years by the Accessibility Working Group, representing programs and departments across the College.  You can read more about RRC Polytech’s Accessibility Plan, Student Accessibility Services, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services and Supportive Employment Program on our website. Centre for learning & Program Excellence (CLPE) has developed resources and guidelines on Staff Forum for staff and faculty to create accessible instructional and informational materials.

The Accessibility for Manitoban’s Act Information and Communication Standard was enacted in May 2022, and post-secondary institutions are required to meet the requirements of the Standard by May 1, 2024. To help the College community prepare for this Standard, the following session will be offered at RED Forum: Access in Action: Are you ready for the 2024 Information and Communication Standard? This information session will be led by a panel of staff bringing different perspectives to the conversation – Instructional Design, Instruction/Teaching, Student Accessibility Services and Accessible Technologies. Topics will include an overview of the Standard, inaccessible content and its impact, and designing content with accessibility in mind. Register for RED Forum here.

The Manitoba Accessibility Office will be celebrating Manitoba Access Awareness Week 2023 with a zoom webinar on Thursday, June 1, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The theme of the event is “Reducing Barriers to Web Accessible Information and Communications”.  It will include four short talks with organizations that received Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF) grants in 2022/23 to complete activities enhancing web accessibility and experiences for end users. To register for the webinar, please visit the Eventbrite page to sign up to attend. 

If you have any questions or feedback about RRC Polytech’s Accessibility Plan, please email us at diversity@rrc.ca.

In recognition of Asian Heritage Month, join the Social Justice Engagement Club for a film screening and guided conversation for faculty, staff, and students.

We will be screening the National Film Board documentary, “In the Shadow of Gold Mountain”.

Filmmaker Karen Cho travels from Montreal to Vancouver to uncover stories from the last survivors of the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act, a set of laws imposed to single out the Chinese as unwanted immigrants to Canada from 1885 to 1947. Through a combination of history, poetry and raw emotion, this documentary sheds light on an era that shaped the identity of generations.

The Social Justice Engagement Club is an initiative put on by the Anti-Racism Action Committee to create a space for students, faculty and staff to foster a learning community that advances Truth & Reconciliation, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Event Details:

Day: Tues. May 23, 2023

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00pm

Location: Active Learning Classroom (CM27, Notre Dame Campus)

Registration: Click on this link and submit the form to register for the event.

As of 2018, Parliament designated May as Canadian Jewish Heritage Month, celebrating the contributions Jewish Canadians have made over the last 250 years and continue to make within communities across the country.

This type of observance helps us understand one another on a deeper level by highlighting communities and cultures. Acknowledging and appreciating the important contributions that Jewish Canadians have made to Canada from social to economic to political and more, highlights the country we have built together.

Learn more about Jewish culture and history, and celebrate Jewish Heritage Month with the resources below:

• Jewish Canadian History

• Jewish Heritage Guide

National Film Board of Canada:

• The Jews of Winnipeg, Bill Davies, 1973 | 27 min.
• Full Film Selection for Canadian Jewish Heritage Month

• 12 Books to read for Jewish Heritage Month via CBC

• The Secret Life of Canada: Jewish Montreal: A culinary history – A CBC podcast episode

• CCDI Webinar: Antisemitism: How to recognize and prevent it in the workplace
  • Login is required. Free to sign up for RRC Polytech staff!

May 1 marks the beginning of Asian Heritage Month, a time to reflect on and recognize the many contributions that Canadians of Asian heritage have made and continue to make to Canada.

RRC Polytech is proud to have a diverse community of staff and students from different backgrounds and cultures. One way to create a more inclusive culture on campus is by learning the stories of the people we work and learn with every day.

To begin the month, Creative Communications student Paolo Gonzales shares his creative non-fiction story Canada Is In The Heart, a reflection of what it means to be Filipino as a first-generation immigrant to Canada.

Read the full story here

Share your story

This month we invite RRC Polytech community members of Asian heritage to keep the conversation going – share your story today.

Fill out the Asian Heritage Month form here