Annual Report (2021-2022)

Accessibility, Advocacy & Empowerment In 2019, Nasir and Amina, a young couple with their three-year-old daughter Laila, came to Canada under the Resettlement Assistance Program. Nasir, who has a hearing impairment, struggled to access appropriate services in the community, faced isolation and experienced stress, discrimination, and frustration due to service delays. Then, Nasir was referred to to the Moving Ahead (MAP) program by a friend and a worker from the Settlement Program. He received emotional support services through MAP’s case management process, was connected with community resources and received wellness sessions. The MAP team worked closely with advocacy teams, including the American Sign Language community, interpreters, employment counsellors, and specialized ASL instructors, to provide appropriate and timely support for Nasir. Three months after coming to MAP, Nasir took a driver’s license knowledge test with sign language support, started ASL English classes, received an employment assessment for job readiness, and information and orientation about ASL resources. He attended six months of ESL American sign language classes and Amina delivered their second child, Nur. The family decided to move to Nova Scotia, where they have friends. Nasir was supported with available services; in under a year he was able to successfully exit the program and make decisions about their settlement and integration journey. Accessibility, advocacy, and empowerment were critical elements for the successful settlement of Nasir and his family.

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