July 8, 2026
The Honourable David Eby, K.C., M.L.A.
Premier of British Columbia
Office of the Premier
PO Box 9041 Stn. Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
premier@gov.bc.ca
On June 26, 2026, we learned that the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC) closed after 35 years of serving Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing British Columbians, particularly in Victoria, Nanaimo, and communities across Vancouver Island. This news is deeply troubling.
IDHHC has provided essential community-based services, including hearing health support, accessibility services, employment assistance, interpreting and captioning coordination, and connection for people who often face significant barriers to full participation in daily life.
We are concerned that people who relied on IDHHC will now be left without timely, trusted, and accessible support. The loss of these services may increase isolation, affect mental health and well-being, and make it harder for Deaf, DeafBlind, and people with hearing loss to access health care, employment, education, public services, and community life. This is especially concerning for seniors, low-income individuals and families, and people living outside larger urban centres who already have limited options.
The closure of IDHHC points to a broader and urgent issue: accessibility and hearing health services cannot depend on short-term or uncertain funding if British Columbia is committed to inclusion, dignity, and equitable access. Community organizations play a crucial role in preventing people from falling through gaps in systems that are not always designed with communication accessibility in mind.
We respectfully ask your government to look closely and urgently at this situation, including the immediate service gaps created by IDHHC’s closure and the longer-term need for stable, accessible supports for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing people in British Columbia. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with your officials to discuss practical next steps, including transition support for affected clients and a coordinated approach to ensuring that essential services remain available.
CHHA BC is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization whose mandate is to enhance the quality of life of persons with hearing loss by working with individuals, their support networks, healthcare professionals, and community partners to reduce isolation and remove barriers to full participation in society. We provide information, education, resources, and peer support to Hard of Hearing British Columbians and their families. Our website is www.chha-bc.ca.
Sincerely,
Gael Hannan,
Vice-President, CHHA BC
Resident of Sidney, BC
Address for CHHA-BC: 2005 Quebec Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T2Z6
info@chha-bc.org
www.chha-bc.org
facebook.com/CHHABCofficial; instagram.com/chhabcofficial
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