{"id":62,"date":"2022-01-05T11:08:18","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T19:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/accessiblebcactstandards\/?page_id=62"},"modified":"2026-03-13T15:47:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T22:47:28","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-10 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#c2b6ac\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-1322\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-scaled.jpg\" style=\"object-position:46% 49%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"46% 49%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/1002\/2026\/02\/26-047-Hero-Banner-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:44.45%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-black-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(180deg,rgba(250,250,250,0.7) 0%,rgba(237,237,237,0.8) 0%,rgba(238,238,238,0.8) 100%)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engagement Update<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We recognize that the initial engagement website and survey did not fully meet our commitment to accessibility, and we sincerely apologize. We are taking immediate steps to correct this. An ASL translation of the survey and the full engagement website will be provided as soon as possible. <br>If anyone needs support to participate, we continue to offer direct 1:1 assistance completing the survey and\/or understanding the engagement. This includes providing ASL and\/or other language translation, technology and addressing other barriers to participation to the best of our capacity.<br>There will be ASL interpreters for all other engagement activities. The engagement has been extended until April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\"><strong>New Timeline: <\/strong><\/mark>February 9 to April 3, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Ix57l3rA5j8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:22.22%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\">Home<\/a>\n                          <span>\n        Home\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n<h1 class=\"bcgov-engagement-header \">Home<\/h1>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Engagement update\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ix57l3rA5j8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Engagement Update<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">What is this engagement about?<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/GVPE6UUvU68\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><mark class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">The Ministry of Children and Family Development&nbsp;(MCFD)&nbsp;is seeking input to help inform the&nbsp;services&nbsp;provided through an MCFD service agreement for early language services.&nbsp;These services support&nbsp;language acquisition and language development for&nbsp;children ages 0 to 5 with hearing differences, and their&nbsp;families, in B.C.&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is this engagement for?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/gJlgm-Jve3Y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Parents and\/or guardians of&nbsp;Deaf and hard of&nbsp;hearing&nbsp;child(ren)&nbsp;across the province who have received or&nbsp;needed&nbsp;early intervention\/early language&nbsp;services,&nbsp;within the last 10 years&nbsp;(note: early intervention services specific to children ages 0&nbsp;to&nbsp;5 years with a hearing difference.)&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early language\/early years professionals and service providers&nbsp;that work with children across the spectrum of hearing differences(s) and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Representatives from Deaf and hard of hearing community<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other interested parties<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to participate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/E2U9oTxMxas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-call-to-actions undefined cta-left-image is-style-dark\"><div class=\"call-to-action-content\"><span class=\"status-text\">Status:<span class=\"status-bubble status-text-open\">Open<\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"call-to-action-title\">Online survey<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button-transparent\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/online-survey-asl-version\/\" style=\"color:#003366\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Take the online survey in ASL<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button-transparent\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca\/247588?lang=en\" style=\"color:#003366\"><strong>Take the online survey in English<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This&nbsp;survey&nbsp;is for&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;who&nbsp;wants&nbsp;to share&nbsp;input&nbsp;to inform&nbsp;early language services&nbsp;in&nbsp;B.C.&nbsp;but&nbsp;who&nbsp;are not part of an interview or small group meeting,&nbsp;or who want to add more comments in addition to their participation in an interview or meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;survey&nbsp;will be open February&nbsp;9&nbsp;and close on&nbsp;April 3, 2026 at 4:00pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If text-based response is not accessible to you, you can request support completing the survey by&nbsp;emailing&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:citizenengagement@gov.bc.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">citizenengagement@gov.bc.ca<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button-transparent\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/5pAT_bg2Ww8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-call-to-actions undefined cta-left-image\"><div class=\"call-to-action-content\"><span class=\"status-text\">Status:<span class=\"status-bubble status-text-closed\">Closed<\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"call-to-action-title\">Small group meetings<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/HGSlbGFsOeo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>During March 2026, small group meetings were conducted with two groups:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Early language\/early years professionals and service providers&nbsp;across the spectrum of hearing difference(s).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Representatives from Deaf and hard of hearing community&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you did not receive an invitation and would like to&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in this engagement process,&nbsp;we invite you to&nbsp;provide feedback through the online survey.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-call-to-actions undefined cta-left-image is-style-dark\"><div class=\"call-to-action-content\"><span class=\"status-text\">Status:<span class=\"status-bubble status-text-closed\">Closed<\/span><\/span><h3 class=\"call-to-action-title\">Family Interviews<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button-transparent\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/akdp2JyEHFI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents and\/or guardians of a child(ren)&nbsp;with a hearing difference who have received or&nbsp;needed&nbsp;early intervention\/early language&nbsp;services, in B.C. within the last 10 years&nbsp;were invited to&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in short interviews throughout February 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Available meetings fully booked&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ONEuFPQbmVs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We will analyze&nbsp;input&nbsp;from this engagement&nbsp;and publish an Engagement Summary Report&nbsp;in 2026.&nbsp;This engagement will&nbsp;inform&nbsp;the&nbsp;development of&nbsp;early years services and service delivery practices, contracted though&nbsp;the&nbsp;MCFD&nbsp;service agreement,&nbsp;for children ages&nbsp;0&nbsp;to&nbsp;5&nbsp;with hearing differences, and their families, in B.C.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-sidebar\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ASL interpretation is available\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/84m6mj8fYmg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>ASL interpretation is available. Contact us if you would like ASL support to participate or submit questions online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-call-to-actions undefined cta-left-image is-style-dark\"><div class=\"call-to-action-content\"><h3 class=\"call-to-action-title\">Commitment to Anti-Racism<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button-transparent\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/vIcHffqRi6E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<p>The Province of B.C. is committed to taking action against racism and to working to ensure this engagement process is anti-racist and safeguards human rights. Disrespectful and racist comments will not be accepted or considered and will be removed from the engagement record. Please ensure comments are constructive and focused for this engagement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Engagement timeline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/f3v8W_NUzmI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ASL version<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-timeline-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-timeline-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/plugins\/bcgov-engagement-blocks\/src\/images\/timeline\/icon-full.png\" class=\"timeline-phase-icon\" \/><div class=\"timeline-text\"><p class=\"timeline-title\">Launch of engagement<\/p><p class=\"timeline-date\">February 9, 2026<\/p><p class=\"timeline-additional-text\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-timeline-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/plugins\/bcgov-engagement-blocks\/src\/images\/timeline\/icon-half.png\" class=\"timeline-phase-icon\" \/><div class=\"timeline-text\"><p class=\"timeline-title\">Online survey<\/p><p class=\"timeline-date\">February 9, 2026 to April 3, 2026<\/p><p class=\"timeline-additional-text\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-timeline-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/plugins\/bcgov-engagement-blocks\/src\/images\/timeline\/icon-full.png\" class=\"timeline-phase-icon\" \/><div class=\"timeline-text\"><p class=\"timeline-title\">Parent\/Guardian interviews <\/p><p class=\"timeline-date\">February 9 to March 6, 2026<\/p><p class=\"timeline-additional-text\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-timeline-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/plugins\/bcgov-engagement-blocks\/src\/images\/timeline\/icon-full.png\" class=\"timeline-event-icon\" \/><div class=\"timeline-text\"><p class=\"timeline-title\">Small group meetings<\/p><p class=\"timeline-date\">Week of March 2\u20136, 2026<\/p><p class=\"timeline-additional-text\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-timeline-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/plugins\/bcgov-engagement-blocks\/src\/images\/timeline\/icon-empty.png\" class=\"timeline-phase-icon\" \/><div class=\"timeline-text\"><p class=\"timeline-title\">Engagement closes<\/p><p class=\"timeline-date\">April 3, 2026 at 4:00pm <\/p><p class=\"timeline-additional-text\">Online survey closes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-timeline-item\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/plugins\/bcgov-engagement-blocks\/src\/images\/timeline\/icon-empty.png\" class=\"timeline-phase-icon\" \/><div class=\"timeline-text\"><p class=\"timeline-title\">Engagement summary report posted<\/p><p class=\"timeline-date\">2026<\/p><p class=\"timeline-additional-text\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Engagement Update What is this engagement about? The Ministry of Children and Family Development&nbsp;(MCFD)&nbsp;is seeking input to help inform the&nbsp;services&nbsp;provided through an MCFD service agreement for early language services.&nbsp;These services support&nbsp;language acquisition and language development for&nbsp;children ages 0 to 5 with hearing differences, and their&nbsp;families, in B.C.&nbsp; Who is this engagement for?&nbsp; How to participate &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" >Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":413,"featured_media":1167,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-62","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"lang":false,"translations":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/62","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/413"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/62\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1936,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/62\/revisions\/1936"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/deafandhardofhearing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}