dss logo "Celebrating our 20th
Anniversary of Service."
photo of hand and finger "I don't need to look to see.
I don't need to hear to listen. I just sense it."

Deafblind Services Society
of British Columbia

"Creating lives of meaning
for individuals who are Deafblind."

 

Deafblind Services Society of BC is supported and governed by a dedicated Board of Directors. These board members have family members who are deafblind, are interested parties, or are experts in finance, development or fundraising.

Board Members

  • Ed Champion, President
  • Eric Durack, Vice President (Eric's bio)
  • Scott Wright, Treasurer
  • Stewart Calder, Director
  • Bonnie Langland, Director
  • Paige Thombs, Director (Paige's bio)
  • Alvina Tyler, Director

Office Staff

photo of Rebecca and Sweetie

Debbie Salmonsen
Acting Executive Director
email Debbi

Sweetie Sanghera
Director, Intervention Services
email Sweetie

Salim Jiwani
Director, Finance
email Salim

Ellen Faustman
Program Manager, Congenital Intervention Services
email Ellen

Eddy Morton
Coordinator, Volunteer Intervention Program
email Eddy

Angie McGregor
Administrative Assistant
email Angie

Intervenors

photo of Marnie and Liza

Our Intervenors have a unique complement of intensive intervention training along with training for high quality client centered residential care provision. Our total communication approach includes

  • multi-communication systems
  • American Sign Language
  • adaptive sign
  • picture symbol
  • voice
  • gesture
  • written word

Training is customized to each client based on their current abilities and communication needs. In addition, regular training is provided in areas such as

  • Current Intervention Techniques
  • Orientation and Mobility
  • Food Safety
  • Personalized care that includes the dispensing of medications, hygiene, and home maintenance
  • First Aid and CPR certification
  • Non-violent crisis intervention training

Our Intervenors are supported by deafblind specialists who bring decades of experience in the field of deafblindness. Our consultants support and advise the Intervenors to improve quality of intervention and personalized program development.