Deafblind Services Society
of British Columbia

Paige Thombs - New Board Member

I wanted take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Paige Thombs and I am the Community Liaison Worker at the Deaf Access Office (DAO), Provincial Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (PSDHH).

Before joining PSDHH, I worked at Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing where I was the Job Development Specialist for 18 months. While there, I also worked on a Literacy and Education Project that was set-up by the Jericho Hill Legacy Trust. The purpose of that project was to meet with Jericho Hill Class Action Members and discuss issues around literacy and how it impacted their lives.

Many Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Community Members are frustrated by the lack of access to services. The DAO is here to “promote accessibility to Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing (D/DB/HH) Persons and their families to Government Services.”

Most of my background over the last 15 years has been in support services. I have worked in the anti-violence movement both locally and out of province; I have provided counseling to a wide variety of clients in both individual and group formats. For four years I owned and operated a small daycare that was geared toward single parent and marginalized families. Currently I provide support groups at the LGTB Centre here in Vancouver.

I am excited to be joining the board of Deafblind Services Society of BC and I am grateful for the opportunity. I look forward to getting to know the staff and board here at DSS.