From the Board of BC Hands & Voices
As parents and members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, we at BC Hands & Voices want to acknowledge the recent closure of the Deaf Children’s Society of BC (DCS BC) and reflect on its impact.
After nearly 50 years of supporting families with children who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind, DCS BC has made the difficult decision to dissolve the organization, as confirmed during their Extraordinary General Meeting on October 29, 2025.
We celebrate the remarkable legacy that DCS BC leaves behind and the incredible community of families and professionals who will carry this important work forward. With gratitude for all that has been accomplished, we look ahead with hope and pride in the continued impact of their work.
Honouring the Heart of DCS BC
Since its founding in 1975, DCS BC has stood out for being Deaf-led and for championing a bilingual-bicultural approach supporting early language access through both American Sign Language (ASL) and English. It prioritized Deaf cultural identity and built a space where families could feel seen, heard, and supported, often from the earliest days of identification or discovery.
As a board of parents/caregivers and professionals, many of us have been supported through the ripple effects from the DCS BC community, whether through direct service or by their nurturing of the many talented Deaf professionals working in our communities.
To the staff, Deaf mentors, educators, board members, and volunteers, our sincere thank you. Thank you for visiting our homes. Thank you for your warmth at community events. Thank you for teaching some of our children their first signs. Thank you for showing us what’s possible.
Your advocacy, commitment, and heart changed lives. It will continue to guide how we, as families, support and empower children.
For more information, you can read their official announcement and meeting minutes on the DCS BC website: http://www.deafchildren.bc.ca
What This Means for Families
While this marks the closing of DCS BC, the support for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind children in BC continues.
Families who were receiving support from DCS BC should have already been contacted with guidance on transferring services to the following agencies which will ensure families have the guidance, resources, and therapy needed for their child’s development and success:
- BC Family Hearing Resource Society https://www.bcfamilyhearing.com/
- Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre https://www.childrenshearing.ca/
These services include speech and language therapy, ASL instruction, language assessments, parent mentoring, and connection to a broader community of families and professionals. If you have questions about your services being transferred, please reach out to the organizations above.
The following organizations are also available to provide support services, and we encourage parents to visit these websites or contact them directly to learn more about how they may assist your family:
- Provincial Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (PDHHS)
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/youth-and-family-services/deaf-hard-of-hearing – includes Indigenous Deaf Collaborations - Well-Being Program for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind
https://deafwellbeing.vch.ca/ - Family Network for Deaf Children (FNDC)
fndc.ca - BC Hands & Voices
bchandsandvoices.com
Moving Forward, Together
We know that change can feel uncertain, but the legacy of DCS BC and the importance of early access to language and Deaf/Hard of Hearing role models will carry on through so many who are dedicated to successful outcomes for deaf/hard of hearing children.
At BC Hands & Voices, we remain committed to creating space for families to connect, to share and to learn about the many opportunities available to support what our children need to thrive both now and in the future.
To everyone who shaped DCS BC: thank you. You’ve made a lasting mark. And to every parent wondering what happens next: we’re here with you.
With gratitude,
The Board of BC Hands & Voices
info @ bchandsandvoices.com
