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Family Network for Deaf Children (FNDC) is a parent run, non-profit, charitable organization supporting families with deaf and hard of hearing children that use sign language or are interested in learning sign language. Even though technology and methodology have changed over the years, we seek the wisdom of parents, professionals and Deaf/HH adults so that common themes of “access, equity and a sense of belonging” continue to be highlighted in areas such as: social/recreation, leadership, education, employment, general services and community involvement. Deaf Youth Today (DYT), is FNDC’s summer social/recreational program and is committed to providing recreational experience and leadership opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing youth in British Columbia that use sign language for all or part of their communication or who are interested in learning sign language.
Our Board of Directors are all parents of deaf children. The board is a ‘policy and direction’ board.
Yes – it is confusing. Our organization primarily focuses on deaf and hard of hearing children that use sign language or are interested in learning sign language. Recently, there have been many hard of hearing teens wanting to learn sign language. It’s great to share a community: deaf, hard of hearing and hearing. Our core belief is that it’s the communication that brings us together. We tend to not capitalize the word “deaf”. Some deaf children and youth make a decision to refer to themselves as Deaf. By using the capital “D” Deaf, they are stating their identity as a member of the Deaf Community. We respect that. Generally, we use the term ‘deaf’ when referring to children and youth. Our organization is open to anyone with a deaf or hard of hearing family member.
Absolutely not. Although, from time to time, if an organization or program requests us to send out information that is valuable to our readers, we will ask them to provide postage-paid envelopes. We will then place our mailing labels on the envelopes and put them in the mail box ourselves. This ensures that you receive the information, but that the mailing list remains confidential. At the same time, this saves us money as we don’t pay the postage costs.
FNDC manages a contract called “Deaf Youth Today” or commonly known as DYT. DYT is FNDC’s summer social/recreational program and is committed to providing recreational experience and leadership opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing youth in British Columbia that use sign language for all or part of their communication or who are interested in learning sign language.
Our primary focus is summer programs for deaf and h/h teens. During the school year, we focus mainly on leadership training for deaf teens or young deaf adults. Our goal is to train deaf youth to be in leadership roles during our summer programs.
Erin Pranzl is the DYT Program Coordinator. Erin is Deaf and is passionate about giving deaf children experiences that will build a stronger community in the future. We also have Terry & Andrea Maloney who are the Hornby Island Kids’ Camp Coordinators. Terry is Deaf and Andrea, his wife is hearing. Both Terry and Andrea have a background in working at camps in the past, and bring their expertise to our Summer DYT Hornby Kids’ camp.
Can you share confidential information with us? You bet you can. Erin’s role with DYT ensures that each and every parent can contact DYT and be guaranteed confidentiality. Being that our Board of Directors and some staff are parents of deaf children, it isn’t appropriate for any other parents to know the business of other parents of deaf children. Erin’s role with DYT and FNDC guarantees your right to privacy.
DYT has a process in the Spring time asking advertising for jobs. Watch for this information through FNDC’s e-news and our website etc. We focus on fluent signing staff. After resumes are collected, Erin , the DYT Coordinator, will then set up an interview. The Board of Directors and FNDC staff have absolutely no input into this process. This is our way of ensuring that favoritism does not interfere with the selection process.
I suppose the question is an interesting one…. How many hearing social/recreational programs out there hire deaf and hard of hearing leaders? It’s a thought provoking question, isn’t it?
DYT is a fun social/recreation program for deaf and h/h children, but it’s also an AMAZING training program for deaf and h/h teens. Our Board feels strongly about the need to train more and more young deaf adults and offer them opportunities that will make them more employable in the future. We invite all qualified applicants (d/Deaf, hard of hearing & hearing) to send in their resume, and successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.
The Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre is managed by a parent of a deaf child, Gord Campbell. Gord has worked with Deaf Youth Today for over 10 years and has been passionate about creating a training program for young deaf teens/adults. Each year, the Deaf Youth Today staff work alongside the Tribune Bay staff during the DYT Kids’ Camp. As well, the DYT staff work at the Deaf Family Camp for the long weekend in July. Because Gord has a Deaf son, he feels strongly about empowering deaf teens, and teaching them to become future leaders.
Your input, and ideas are ALWAYS welcome. We are always on the prowl figuring out how to improve things. Phone or email us. For example: if communication, finances etc. are problems – we need to hear about that. We are trying to be creative in meeting the needs of EVERY single family. If we are doing something wrong – tell us. If we are doing something right – tell us that too!
In order to keep costs to a minimum, our part time contract staff work out of their homes. We had a FNDC line that was attached to a home phone. Unfortunately, with that system, if the person was on holiday or an emergency took them away from the house, a different DYT staff person didn’t have access to the phone. It was decided we have a FNDC and DYT cellphone. We no longer have a tty number, as the cellphone takes voice calls and texts messages. The majority of d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals prefer to communicate with us via text message or email.