Partnership event celebrates connection, inclusion, and DeafBlind Awareness Month
On Friday, June 12, 2026, community members, families, volunteers, and partners gathered at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam, BC for the annual DeafBlind Awareness Picnic, hosted in partnership by Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility and CNIB Deafblind Community Services.
The event brought people together to celebrate National DeafBlind Awareness Month while creating opportunities for connection, community, and shared experiences. Through inclusive touch-based games and activities, DeafBlind and sighted participants had the opportunity to engage, learn from one another, and strengthen relationships in a welcoming outdoor environment.
Wavefront Centre staff members Eddy Morten, Project Officer, and Teresa Fleming, Manager, Community Outreach Services, at the DeafBlind Awareness Picnic.
The picnic reflects the longstanding commitment of both organizations to fostering belonging, independence, and meaningful community participation for people who are DeafBlind across British Columbia.
“DeafBlind Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, resilience, culture, and lived experiences of people who are DeafBlind while increasing awareness of the unique barriers they may face,” said Teresa Fleming, Manager, Community Outreach Services at Wavefront Centre. “Events like this picnic bring people together, strengthen community connections, and honour DeafBlind culture, including the use of tactile signing and other accessible forms of communication. They remind us of the importance of accessible programs and services that support people who are DeafBlind to remain active, engaged, and connected.”
Teresa Fleming, Manager, Community Outreach Services at Wavefront Centre, sharing her Indigenous drums with two people who are DeafBlind. The drumming activity was offered in recognition of National Indigenous History Month, which is also observed in June.
Provincial proclamation recognizes DeafBlind Awareness Month
A special highlight of the day was the reading of a Royal Proclamation from the Government of British Columbia recognizing June as DeafBlind Awareness Month. Janine Tucker, Manager, Services & Operations, CNIB Deafblind Community Services BC, shared the proclamation with attendees and spoke about the importance of continuing to build awareness and support for the DeafBlind community.
Janine Tucker, Manager, Services & Operations, CNIB Deafblind Community Services BC, reads the Government of British Columbia’s Royal Proclamation recognizing June as DeafBlind Awareness Month.
“While DeafBlind Awareness Month helps shine a light on the experiences and contributions of people who are DeafBlind, awareness alone is not enough,” said Tucker. “Across British Columbia, there is a growing need for specialized intervenor services, community programs, and accessible supports that help people who are DeafBlind live independently and participate fully in their communities. Continued investment and funding are essential to ensuring these services remain available and can meet the needs of those who rely on them.”
The proclamation serves as an important reminder of the need to recognize DeafBlind individuals not only during June, but throughout the year through policies, programs, and investments that support accessibility and inclusion.
Building connection through partnership
Wavefront Centre’s DeafBlind Services program supports DeafBlind seniors and older adults through community outreach, social opportunities, workshops, and individualized supports that help reduce isolation and strengthen independence.
Staff from CNIB Deafblind Community Services BC gather for a photo during the DeafBlind Awareness Picnic.
CNIB Deafblind Community Services is one of Canada’s leading providers of specialized support services for people who are DeafBlind, offering professional intervenor services and programs that empower individuals to live with confidence, independence, and autonomy.
Together, the two organizations continue to create opportunities for connection, inclusion, and greater awareness throughout British Columbia.
Building awareness and advancing advocacy
Wavefront Centre extends its sincere thanks to CNIB Deafblind Community Services for their partnership in hosting this year’s picnic and for their ongoing commitment to the DeafBlind community.
Participants, staff, volunteers, community partners, and members of the Coquitlam RCMP gather for a group photo during the DeafBlind Awareness Picnic.
We would also like to thank members of the Coquitlam RCMP for taking the time to stop by and join the event. Their presence was greatly appreciated and helped demonstrate the importance of community partnerships in creating more inclusive and welcoming spaces for everyone.
For Eddy Morten, Project Officer at Wavefront Centre and a member of the DeafBlind community, the annual picnic is an important opportunity to reconnect with friends, strengthen relationships, and celebrate the community’s shared experiences.
“Events like this remind us that we’re not alone,” said Morten. “It’s an opportunity for people who are DeafBlind to come together, share experiences, build connections, and support one another. At the same time, it helps raise awareness of the barriers that still exist and the need for continued advocacy, accessibility, and investment in services that help people who are DeafBlind participate fully in their communities.”
As DeafBlind Awareness Month continues throughout June, Wavefront Centre remains committed to supporting DeafBlind individuals in building independence, confidence, and belonging while raising awareness of the importance of accessible communication and community connection.
