The Deaf and hard‑of‑hearing community on Vancouver Island is organising a public meeting in Victoria to assess the fallout from the abrupt June 30 closures of Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC) offices in Saanich and Nanaimo.
Immediate service gap for thousands
IDHHC had provided hearing‑health services to thousands of clients across the Island through those two sites until the organisation shut them down at the end of June. The association cited rising costs and cuts to both government funding and private donations in explaining the decision.
"rising costs alongside cuts in funding and donations."
The closures follow earlier program changes that affected services for the Deaf community in British Columbia. In 2023 the provincial government cancelled contracts for family and community services that were central to supports for Deaf people, a move that had a significant and immediate effect on both the community and IDHHC’s budget.
Town hall set for city hall
The public meeting, described by organisers as a safe space to exchange information and collect community feedback, is scheduled for Friday at Victoria city hall, 1 Centennial Square, upstairs, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event aims to bring together clients, service providers and advocates to:
- share firsthand accounts of how the closures are affecting access to hearing‑health care;
- identify immediate needs and potential local responses; and
- collect input to inform advocacy and fundraising efforts.
Organisers have provided an email contact for those unable to attend: VanIslandDHH@gmail.com.
Local consequences and options
The shutdown of IDHHC sites means residents who relied on in‑person assessments, device fittings, counselling and other supports may now face longer travel, delays or reduced continuity of care. For many clients, especially older adults and those with limited mobility, those barriers can translate into reduced independence and social isolation.
| Closed locations | Closure date |
|---|---|
| Saanich office | June 30, 2026 |
| Nanaimo office | June 30, 2026 |
Community advocates and service providers across Vancouver Island may now weigh options including temporary clinics, partnerships with other health organisations, volunteer‑led supports and targeted fundraising. The 2023 provincial contract cancellations remain a backdrop to these discussions, having already removed a stream of funding that supported local programs.
Next steps for residents
Information gathered at the Victoria meeting could be used to press for renewed funding, to coordinate interim services and to inform affected clients about alternatives. Residents who cannot attend but wish to contribute information or concerns are asked to contact the organisers by email.
As the situation develops, local health planners and elected officials will face questions about how to ensure access to essential hearing and communication services for Deaf and hard‑of‑hearing residents across Greater Victoria and the broader Island.
