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The City of Edmonton is committed to ensuring that Edmontonians who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing enjoy access to City services and events.
The City of Edmonton has launched a year long pilot program to support people who are Deaf or hard of hearing in accessing the city's recreation activities and experiences.
This is one of the actions included in the 2021-2024 Corporate Accessibility Plan developed to support implementation of the City’s Accessibility for People with Disabilities Policy.
The pilot run which began in April 2022 has been extended until the end of 2023. It trials a centralized process to access communication services and technologies that will help members of the community who are Deaf or hard of hearing to participate in registered recreation programs in city facilities.
Accessible communication supports offered during the pilot include:
The City will book and pay 100 percent of the applicable cost of the Accessible Communications Services up to a maximum of $1,500 per person over the duration of the pilot. Once the individual maximum is reached, requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
During this pilot, individuals can request accessible communication support by:
The City will make best efforts to coordinate the service you are requesting based upon the availability of services/service providers. To help us in finding the best possible accessibility service, please submit your request at least 10 business days prior to the start of a registered recreation program.
In April 2022, we launched a one-year pilot program for accessible communications (for example: Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation) to support individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing in fully participating in the City’s registered recreation programs. This is an action identified in the City’s first Corporate Accessibility Plan.
We want everyone to feel a sense of belonging at the City’s Recreation Centres and we are testing a system that will help you fully access the activities and experiences that are important to you.
The pilot begins in April 2022 and will conclude in April 2023. We will continue to evaluate the program over the year and adjust as necessary to provide the best services possible.
You can request services for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, using the application form. Follow the step-by-step questions and submit your application online. You can also apply for services by calling 311 (Video Call (VRS): 780-442-5311) or by visiting a recreation centre in person.
You will be able to request technology, such as hearing loops, signage, live transcribing capabilities, or services, such as American Sign Language interpreters. Please note that personal hearings aids are not available through this project.
If your application is approved, the City will cover 100 percent of the cost. For this pilot project, there is a limited budget, so the City will cover the cost up to an individual maximum of $1,500. Once the individual maximum is reached, requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
This pilot is open to individuals of all ages who are Deaf or hard of hearing. You need to be registered in a recreation program that the City of Edmonton offers in a City-owned and operated facility.
Pre-approval for Accessible Communication services can be requested in advance of registration for recreation programs by providing course details (Names, ID Number and specific dates for programs listed on Move Learn Play) in the Accessible Communications application request form.
The City will book all providers of services and/or equipment, using a list of approved providers.
You are free to hire, or bring with you, your own interpreters but the City does not cover costs associated with those individuals.
Please submit your request at least 10 business days (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm) prior to the start date for a registered recreation program. Our goal is to process your requests within 10 days of receiving requests.
You can register for programs through Move Learn Play, by calling 311, or by visiting a City of Edmonton recreation centre.
Yes, you can submit the request form prior to registering for the city recreation program. Information on the type of specific program that you wish to register for must be included in the form. However, confirmation of pre-approval does not guarantee a space in the recreation program.
You will need to request services by filling out the application form, calling 311 or visiting a recreation centre.
The pilot will support applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. With our limited budget for this pilot program, we may not be able to approve all requests received.
We will prepare a final report on the outcome of the pilot program that will provide direction on next steps.
ASL interpreters can be booked by request for City of Edmonton meetings and events.
Please call 311 to book this service. Two weeks notice is required.
ASL (American Sign Language) is the primary sign language used in Canada and the United States.
When Real Time Captioning service is requested for an event or meeting, a captionist generates a transcript of the proceeding that appears on a screen or monitor for people to read as the event or meeting progresses.
The time delay between the speech and the appearance of the typed text is generally less than two seconds and allows readers to fully participate in the proceedings. Captioning also provides the secondary benefit of providing an electronic record of the proceedings.
The Real Time Captioning is effective for the deaf or hard of hearing, but also for people with certain types of learning disabilities and individuals whose first language is not English. Please call 311 to book this service. Two weeks notice is required.
All public Council and Committee meetings held in Council Chambers and the River Valley Room will have Real Time Captioning provided:
Captioning can be turned on or off based on your preference. To do this, click on the 3 dots in the bottom right-hand corner of the live stream. The location of the captions (when you turn them on) varies depending on the media player used by the browser.
CaptionCast (a browser-based application) is also available and streams live captioning (text only) to smartphones, tablets, and any other device that has a connection and a browser.
To access this service, search for CaptionCast in your browser and select CaptionCast Display or visit their website directly.
For all other requests, where Captioning is not already regularly scheduled (i.e Council & Committee meetings)
Please call 311 to request ASL and Real Time Captioning Services. You will need to provide the following information:
Two weeks notice is required when requesting these services.
Hearing loop technology and counter loops are available at:
A portable hearing loop may also be requested.
Citizens attending functions at City Hall can request to use the Assisted Listening Device. The system is patched into City Hall's sound system, transmitting sound signals through infrared to special headphones worn by hard of hearing users.
This system is available in Council Chamber. A portable system is available in other City Hall rooms upon request. Contact 311 for this service.
Two weeks notice is required when requesting these services.
The City of Edmonton has a computer-based system that allows TTY users to communicate with more City of Edmonton employees. This computer system replaces physical TTY machines with computer hardware and software that "rings" an employee's computer.
Edmontonians requiring other alternative communications services are asked to contact 311.
Video Call (VRS): 780-442-5311
| Online | Contact 311 Online |
|---|
If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311
| Telephone | 311 |
|---|---|
| TTY | 711 |