Manitoba being called on to increase support for hard-of-hearing community
Posted May 7, 2026 7:02 pm.
Last Updated May 11, 2026 3:40 pm.
During Mental Health Week, professionals who work in the field say accessibility gaps can leave members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community feeling isolated and unsupported, and they are hoping the province steps up.
“That’s one area that is not receiving the services; services are not developed in American Sign Language to accommodate their needs, services that aren’t simply accessible,” said Tracey Bone, an associate professor with the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba.
Bone, who is the editor of the book “Deaf Mental Health”, says more money needs to be dedicated to conducting more research.
“We need to increase the number of services and supports available to the deaf and hard of hearing and available in their first language, whether it’s American Sign Language, Indigenous Sign Language, or French Sign Language,” Bone explained.
Andrew Stadnicki is part of the deaf community, and says he’s always found it difficult to access mental health services here in the province.
“Mental health service providers in the system have a lack of knowledge in understanding deaf people’s lived experience, their culture, and their language. So, sometimes they can’t really provide good mental health services because they’re lacking that understanding of that lived experience,” said Stadnicki.
Stadnicki says he feels the Manitoba government has not done enough to make sure that there are deaf professionals in mental health spaces. He says, “nothing about us is without us.”
“Other provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, they have specific funding that pays for deaf students to go to universities in the United States,” he explained
In a statement to CityNews, Minister of Families, Accessibility, and Gender Equity Nahanni Fontaine says their government hired two ASL interpreters to support all government departments, making Manitoba one of the first provinces to take a step forward to accessibility.
“This year, we took an important and significant step forward by hiring two ASL interpreters to support all government departments, making Manitoba one of the first provinces to take this important step toward true accessibility. I also introduced the Sign Languages Recognition Act, which affirms the cultural and linguistic significance of sign languages and strengthens our foundation for more inclusive services across government, including mental health care,” read a statement from the Minister.
“I am deeply grateful to the many Deaf and Hard of Hearing Manitobans who have reached out to share their knowledge, their stories, and their hopes for a more accessible province. Their leadership continues to guide our work, and we will keep putting in the work to make Manitoba a more inclusive province for everyone.”
