VCC - Deaf & Hard of Hearing

08/21/2026

DHH Newsflash – August 2026

“Tall and Strong”
By Aastrid Evensen, Department Head

Hello from Vancouver Community College’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Department.

We would like to take a moment to share some of our latest news. As many of you already know, there have recently been significant cuts across the college. While our DHH program as a whole remains in place, these cuts have affected our staffing levels, particularly the number of instructors.

DHH continues to offer three separate programs; however, at this time, we are only able to run two cohorts. Once the post-secondary economic landscape improves, we hope to return to offering three cohorts per year.

In previous years, DHH operated five cohorts at a time. This was later reduced to four, then three, and now we find ourselves able to offer only two. Beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, we will offer two English classes, each at a different level. Our previous ASL classes and the Essential Employment Skills Certificate will not be offered during this academic year.

That said, if future enrollment numbers show greater interest in ASL or Essential Employment Skills, we may adjust our offerings accordingly. For example, instead of offering two English classes, we could offer ASL or Essential Employment Skills. While continuing to operate with only two classes, we could also offer one English class alongside either an ASL class or Essential Employment Skills. Ultimately, the classes we offer will depend on student interest and enrollment.

We wanted to take this opportunity to keep you informed about the changes taking place within DHH. We remain hopeful that, in the future, we will be able to expand our offerings and welcome more students into our programs.

Thank you.

VCC - Vancouver Community College

08/05/2026

Opening Job Opportunity!

Looking for *backup* instructors.
*auxiliary, supplementary, extra*

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Adults
English & Numeracy Upgrading
Application Closing Date:
August 14, 2026 | 11:59 PM PST

https://www.vcc.ca/about/college-information/careers/careers-at-vcc/

The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Department is always looking for talented and passionate individuals to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the teaching areas of American Sign Language, English & Numeracy, and Employment.

If you are interested, please keep an eye on the VCC career page and the DHH's social media outlets!

VCC - Vancouver Community College

07/01/2026

The session has come to an end, and summer is finally here! ☀️

What a year it has been. VCC has gone through many changes and transformations that have touched every department, including ours. Through it all, we have continued to support one another and stand strong together.

As we wrap up another school year, we wanted to share a few photos and memories from our journey together.

Summer is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy everything that beautiful BC has to offer. It’s also a great season to connect with the Deaf community through the many events happening across the province. Be sure to follow Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf, FNDC Family Network for Deaf Children & DYT Deaf Youth Today, BC Cultural Society of the Deaf, and https://deafbc.ca/ for upcoming gatherings, activities, and summer camps.

Thank you for being part of our community this year. We wish you a fun, restful, and memorable summer, and we look forward to seeing you again in the fall!

Happy summer from the DHH Department! 🌞

VCC - Vancouver Community College

06/29/2026

The 2025-26 Essential Employment Skills Certificate's (EESC) 10-month full-time certificate program has provided students with tools and practical work skills. As a result of their placements, over half of the student class was hired. The Employment Skills Advantage Short Certificate's (ESASC)10-week certificate has helped those working to further enhance and modify their skills through discussion, reflection and self-study. Many students have returned to the class to give inspirational presentations and work advice to current students, embedding mentorship into this program. For more information, email [email protected] or visit the VCC website for information sessions.

VCC - Vancouver Community College VCC- Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program

06/25/2026

Last week, the Provincial Language Services team welcomed the DHH Program. There, we learned about their services and were inspired by their dedication and support for the rights, safety, and health of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in BC! We look forward to exciting progression.

Thank you!

Provincial Health Services Authority - PHSA VCC - Vancouver Community College

06/15/2026

It’s Time to Party & Retire!

Retirement Party for Aastrid Evensen, Marcia Tanaka & Lisa Dillon Edgett

ASL to EN Transcript:

Hello! We will have a big party on June 25 to celebrate our retirements – Lisa’s, Marcia’s, and Aastrid’s (mine). We are leaving VCC and want to celebrate with all of you, share goodbyes, and express our sentiments. It will take place from 10 am to 3 pm, at the Riverfront Park, 2750 E Kent Avenue South in Vancouver. We will provide meat and protein, and you bring various dishes, a potluck dish such as salad, vegetable, fruit, dessert, appetizers, drinks,… Please let Pamela at [email protected] know, as well as your full name and the number of people for the RSVP, before June 23. And! For the album, please send pictures, videos, messages and memories, please send them to Erin at [email protected] before June 23 as well.

Ok, see you there!!

Oh… I forgot to mention one more thing! If you can come on June 25th, that will be wonderful. Please bring your chair or picnic blanket, and you may also bring various games.

See you there!

06/15/2026

Retirement Party for Aastrid Evensen, Marcia Tanaka & Lisa Dillon Edgett

It’s Time to Retire & Party!
June 25, 10 am - 3 pm
RVSP: [email protected]

QR will go to a YouTube video. ASL to EN Transcript can be found in the YouTube description zone.

06/10/2026

Deaf Deaf World History, 1996 - 2026

Shelly Carver, inspired by NTID’s ASL immersion program in line with the Deaf Village, hosted Deaf Deaf World the Spring of 1996 under GVAD’s wing as a part of the Deaf Youth Program. As a host, Shelly coordinated it as an awareness education and fundraising event. Then, in 2001, the flame was handed to Vincent Chauvet, Deaf & ASL Studies (DADS) instructor and Department Leader to run the event annually at the VCC. The first 10 years, they recruited deaf volunteers to manage the “shops”. After that, they gave the students power to run the shops. The students from the DHH program team up with them to serve snacks and refreshments. In 2011, art exhibition was launched and it welcomed deaf artists to showcase their works. Eventually, it was 2016 when the deaf community, schools, organizations and services were invited to share what they had to offer at their booth. It was a huge project for the DADS students to mingle with Deaf attendees (volunteers, artists, experts, friends) and be fully immersed in a Deaf environment.

The DHH Program has always been proud to be a part of the history, to collaborate with the DADS program. Thank you DADS and Vincent to keep the flame burning.

Now, it's 2026 that the Deaf Deaf World has come to an end at the VCC and is looking to pass on the flame.

Text by Pamela E. Witcher, 2026
VCC DHH Instructor & Artist

VCC - Vancouver Community College VCC ASL VCC- Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program Pamela Witcher Arts

05/28/2026

Through collaboration with VCC DHH, Deaf Services Canada (formerly Silent Voice Canada) is offering a 8-week "Discover Canada" workshop in ASL to support BC permanent residents whose goal is to become a Canadian. Thank you, Deaf Services Canada for your support and making this possible!

Deaf Services Canada VCC - Vancouver Community College VCC- Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program

03/30/2026