Miss-Delectable
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Osprey Media. - Chatham Daily News
Tools to make Tony Capell's life a little easier are now available closer to home.
For more than a decade, the Chatham man had to travel to Windsor for items that would help him overcome his deafness.
Those days are over, thanks to the Canadian Hearing Society's new communication devices and accessibility centre.
"It's really, really wonderful," said Capell through an interpreter. "I know deaf people are very appreciative."
The CHS held a grand opening on Wednesday for the centre, which is located on the fourth floor at 48 Fifth St.
Capell said he uses items ranging from flashing doorbells to teletypewriter machines.
"Now we're able to see all the devices that are offered," he said.
With contributions from the United Way, there has been a CHS office in Chatham-Kent since 1978.
The organization works to break down communication barriers through support services and referrals to assist people deaf from birth, or those who lost their hearing later in life.
Lions and Lionesses clubs across the province are partnering with the CHS for the latest initiative.
Eighteen communication devices and accessibility centres are being created, with the clubs providing $200,000 in funding. Last year, $500,000 was committed.
Through an interpreter, David Kerr, CHS regional director, said he's pleased with the expansion of services in the area.
"Without the Lions club's support for this, I doubt we'd be able to do this," he said.
Gary Martin, a provincial Lions representative, is a former teacher at the E.C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton, Ont.
He said it took a team fundraising effort involving all the clubs to make their goal a reality.
"We're pleased to do this," he said. "We'll be doing it for many years to come, I hope."
Tools to make Tony Capell's life a little easier are now available closer to home.
For more than a decade, the Chatham man had to travel to Windsor for items that would help him overcome his deafness.
Those days are over, thanks to the Canadian Hearing Society's new communication devices and accessibility centre.
"It's really, really wonderful," said Capell through an interpreter. "I know deaf people are very appreciative."
The CHS held a grand opening on Wednesday for the centre, which is located on the fourth floor at 48 Fifth St.
Capell said he uses items ranging from flashing doorbells to teletypewriter machines.
"Now we're able to see all the devices that are offered," he said.
With contributions from the United Way, there has been a CHS office in Chatham-Kent since 1978.
The organization works to break down communication barriers through support services and referrals to assist people deaf from birth, or those who lost their hearing later in life.
Lions and Lionesses clubs across the province are partnering with the CHS for the latest initiative.
Eighteen communication devices and accessibility centres are being created, with the clubs providing $200,000 in funding. Last year, $500,000 was committed.
Through an interpreter, David Kerr, CHS regional director, said he's pleased with the expansion of services in the area.
"Without the Lions club's support for this, I doubt we'd be able to do this," he said.
Gary Martin, a provincial Lions representative, is a former teacher at the E.C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton, Ont.
He said it took a team fundraising effort involving all the clubs to make their goal a reality.
"We're pleased to do this," he said. "We'll be doing it for many years to come, I hope."