INTENTIONAL GATHERINGS

Deaf community

Opening title card is deep purple with Invisible Practice logo, and simple white text beneath a dividing line: “Intentional Gatherings, a community consultation series.”

Video clips focus on various shots of Connor, Jan, Kayla, and Crystal hosting the event in a community space with tables, chairs, and a projected screen, as well as comments from several participants. All sign in ASL, transcribed below.

“There is tobacco in this bag. It’s important to cherish this. Why did I bring this? It’s important you all develop a relationship with it too. It is an important part of Indigenous culture.”

“The Deaf art community is so small that we have to fit in the hearing world. We want to grow within the art community so that one day we can fill in all the positions that are needed with Deaf artists.”

“I know there’s a lot of information… let’s get started with sharing our thoughts!”

“I am able to learn American Sign Language (ASL). But I came from another country so going to theatre is not accessible to me because I still can’t understand.”

“DeafBlind people can’t really access the art community.”

Everyone has a story.

Some of us might have years of experience telling them; others might still be dreaming up their first.

We bring together anyone and everyone who experiences the world through their eyes and hands - the Deaf community.

And we ask: How can The Invisible Practice help?

WHEN

Saturday September 21, 2024

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Light refreshments will be provided.

WHERE

Edmonton Association of the Deaf Community Centre

11404 142 St NW, Edmonton, AB

TOPICS

These are the topics we will discuss during this Intentional Gathering. You are welcome to read ahead of time so that you can come prepared. You will be able to provide all of your comments in ASL or English.

  • What kind of accessibility do you enjoy most in a show?

  • What creative skills are you interested in learning more about?

  • What do you not understand about the arts?

  • How much are you willing to donate to support TIP each year, and what benefits would you want to get?

  • What helps you decide if you will go to a show or creative event?

  • What kinds of stories do you want to see more of?

  • What information is most important for you to receive in Sign Language?

  • How much time are you willing to volunteer to support Deaf artists?

  • What else do you want to discuss and tell us?

ACCESS

  • ASL interpretation provided.

  • Live-streamed captions by a human captionist available by request - please let us know if you need captions.

  • Deaf Interpreters for DeafBlind participants available by request - please let us know if you need additional access support.

CONTACT

general@invisiblepractice.ca

As part of our commitment to transparency, this event will be recorded on video and in photos. You can opt-out and still participate. If you opt-out, your name and identity will be anonymized to the best of our ability, but we cannot guarantee this.

Several people in a few groups, conversing. A table of snacks is in the background, and a poster paper is on the wall with several sticky notes.
Black and white. Two DeafBlind participants at a table converse in ProTactile with two Deaf Interpreters. The Invisible Practice logo is visible on a projected screen behind.
An Indigenous woman stands among several seated people, looking off to the side and smiling.
Black and white. A young white woman gazes pensively at a large poster paper on the wall, which has several handwritten sticky notes.
A series of colourful handwritten questions on sheets of large poster paper, stacked and layered so that each question is just visible.
Black and white. Two people stand in front of a large poster paper on the wall with several handwritten sticky notes. One person points at a note.
A middle-aged man writes on a sticky note in his hand. The Invisible Practice logo is behind him, projected on a screen.
Black and white. A young white man is mid-sign with an Indigenous woman. It is a solemn moment.
A white person’s hands write on a blue sticky note just under one of the questions on a large poster paper.
Black and white. A DeafBlind person receives information in ProTactile from a Deaf Interpreter, who is interpreting from a large poster paper with sticky notes on the wall.
A room full of people in various groups, with several tables and chairs. A few large poster papers are stuck on the walls and tables.
Black and white. Close-up of two people sitting at a table, looking at something off-frame. Others are seated in the background, also watching attentively.

We gratefully recognize Connect Society’s support and expertise in providing accessibility support for DeafBlind participants.

The Intentional Gatherings community consultation series was made possible with generous funding from Canada Council for the Arts’ Sector Innovation and Development program. Thank you, Canada Council!

Once this project has concluded, we will share the final budget breakdown as part of our commitment to radical financial transparency.

Connect Society logo - two green and blue puzzle pieces fitting together. Tagline: "Strengthening connections among Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Hearing Individuals."
Canada Council for the Arts logo.