Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

10/23/2026

Looking to learn more about hearing health and communication?

We're happy to share an upcoming Hearing Health Seminar hosted by the BC Cochlear Implant Support Group!

Join hearing health experts Dr. Paul Mick and Bowen Tang for a discussion about implantable hearing solutions, when conventional hearing aids may no longer be enough, and practical communication strategies for people with hearing loss and their loved ones.

Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 10:15–11:45 a.m.
Welsh Hall, West Vancouver Memorial Library

There will also be an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and meet others following the presentations.

Register: https://ow.ly/ihO95100EUS

Image description: A white promotional poster with blue text advertising the BC Cochlear Implant Support Group’s Hearing Health Seminar on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10:15–11:45 a.m. at Welsh Hall, West Vancouver Memorial Library. The seminar covers implantable hearing solutions, practical communication strategies, and opportunities to connect with others. On the right are photos of featured speakers Dr. Paul Mick, a cochlear implant surgeon wearing a dark blue shirt, and Bowen Tang, a cochlear implant recipient and educator wearing glasses, a patterned shirt, and a yellow bow tie. The bottom of the poster includes a registration link (cochlearimplantgroupbc.ca/seminar), contact email, QR code, and an illustration of a healthcare professional presenting to an audience.

10/23/2026

: Meet Jo-Ann Bentley, Director of Accessibility Services at Wavefront Centre.
Jo-Ann has been part of Wavefront Centre for two and a half years, leading a team focused on removing communication barriers and creating more accessible experiences.

Through Accessibility Services, Jo-Ann and her team work with businesses, organizations and government to build awareness of products and services that help bridge communication gaps and support greater inclusion and participation in the communities they serve.

What does Jo-Ann enjoy most about her work? Simply put: the people. From the colleagues she works alongside to the organizations and communities she connects with, people are at the heart of what she does.

And a fun fact about Jo-Ann: she is a proud CODA — Child of Deaf Adults.

We’re grateful to have Jo-Ann helping advance communication accessibility and inclusion through her work at Wavefront Centre.

Image description: JoAnn Bentley stands against a solid blue background, facing the camera and communicating in American Sign Language (ASL). She has shoulder-length blonde hair and wears a loose brown button-up shirt over a black top, black pants, and a necklace. She uses expressive hand movements and facial expressions throughout the video. White captions appear in a black rectangular box across the lower portion of the screen.

10/22/2026

We’re excited to partner with the Shaw Festival to help more patrons experience the magic of live theatre! Together, we’re expanding listening options and creating more opportunities for connection through the arts.

Thank you to The Slaight Family Foundation's 2024 gift establishing the National Disability Initiative for making this work possible.

Every moment in live theatre matters.

Wavefront Centre is proud to partner with the Shaw Festival to expand audio accessibility for patrons who are Hard of Hearing or experiencing hearing loss.

A new hybrid assistive listening system is now available in the Festival Theatre. By combining Wi-Fi + Bluetooth and Auracast™ technologies, the system gives patrons more ways to connect to performances using compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, earbuds or headphones.

Beginning with its spectacular holiday production of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella opening on November 20, Shaw will start piloting Wavefront's technology in our Festival Theatre to complement our existing accessibility offerings, giving patrons another flexible way to experience performances with clearer, more personalized sound.

This partnership supports the Shaw Festival’s commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive theatre experiences where more people can share in the magic of live performance.

The project is supported by Wavefront Centre and made possible thanks to The Slaight Family Foundation’s 2024 gift establishing the National Disability Initiative.

10/22/2026

Image description: A large group of adults pose together in a meeting room, with two people seated at the front and others standing behind them. The seated pair hold a sign reading “WIDHH ROCKS,” and one holds a colourful bouquet of flowers. In the foreground, a table covered with a blue cloth holds a cake, snacks, plates and cups.

: WIDHH Rocks!

As part of our year-long celebration of Wavefront Centre’s 70th anniversary, we’re looking back at the people and moments that helped shape our workplace and community.

This team photo from 2003 was taken during WIDHH’s annual staff appreciation lunch in the basement of Brodie Hall. And judging by the “WIDHH ROCKS” sign, there was plenty of team spirit to go around!

Our organization’s history has always been shaped by the people behind the work—and the connections, friendships, and memories made along the way.

Do you recognize anyone in this photo or remember staff gatherings like this? We’d love for you to share your memories in the comments.

10/21/2026

There’s still time to take the first step toward better hearing.

If you’ve been thinking about exploring hearing aids or upgrading your current technology,

Wavefront Hearing’s October offer is available for a limited time:
- Save $1,000 on select premium hearing aids
- Plus a 4-year warranty included

Connect with our Audiology team to learn about options for clearer speech, rechargeability, Bluetooth streaming and personalized listening.

Offer ends October 31, 2026.

Learn more or connect with our team: https://wavefronthearing.ca/contact/

Image description: A woman and a man smile at each other outdoors. The woman rests her hand on the man’s shoulder as he gestures with one hand. A yellow graphic in the upper left reads “BOOK NOW” beside a right-pointing arrow. A turquoise banner across the bottom reads, “Book an appointment before October 31, 2026.”

10/20/2026

Clearer listening at the Tidemark Theatre!

From quiet dialogue to punchlines and music, more patrons can connect with the performance through a partnership between Wavefront Centre, Tidemark Theatre and Campbell River Hearing Clinic.

The Campbell River theatre now offers Auracast™ and Wi-Fi + Bluetooth audio streaming to compatible hearing aids, or through a smartphone to connected hearing devices and headphones.

This project is funded by The Slaight Family Foundation’s historic $30 million gift in 2024 to 11 disability organizations in Canada, as part of the National Disability Initiative.

Campbell River Hearing Clinic’s Martin Jurek shares how the community brought this system to life, and how patrons can connect.

The Tidemark can now send the sound of a show directly to your ears, using your hearing aids, earbuds or headphones. Here is how it happened and how you can use it.

10/17/2026

Last call to register!

Join Wavefront Hearing this Wednesday for an online webinar exploring emerging Bluetooth technology, new hearing aid features and practical tips for choosing technology that fits your needs and lifestyle.

You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A with experts from Bluetooth SIG, Phonak Canada, Oticon and WSA Audiology.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
4:30–6:00 p.m. Pacific
Online via Zoom

ASL interpretation and live captioning will be provided. A recording will also be available afterward.

Register: https://ow.ly/5J0a50ZYF5B



Image description: Bright blue Wavefront Hearing promotional graphic for a free webinar, “What’s New in Hearing Technology?” on October 21, 2026, from 4:30–6:00 p.m. PT. The webinar features experts from Bluetooth SIG, Oticon, Phonak, and WS Audiology, moderated by Susan Marynewich, Acting Director of Audiology at Wavefront Centre, whose smiling portrait appears on the right. A yellow “Register Now” button is displayed, along with icons indicating ASL interpretation and live captioning.

10/16/2026

: Meet Andrea Bull, Chief Executive Officer

Andrea has been with Wavefront Centre for 10 months, helping guide the organization’s direction and ensuring we have the people, partnerships and resources needed to keep moving forward.

As CEO, Andrea works closely with our team, Board and community to strengthen Wavefront Centre while keeping our mission at the centre of what we do.

What she values most is learning from our community and hearing the perspectives that should shape where we go next. She enjoys bringing that learning into strategy, exploring new ideas and looking for ways to grow our impact.

Fun fact: Andrea co-wrote a children’s book, Animal Appetites, with her brother, who has autism. It’s a very different kind of advocacy project from her day-to-day work, but one she’s still incredibly proud of.

Learn more about Animal Appetites: animalappetitesbook.com



Image description: Andrea, a woman with long, light brown hair and bangs, stands in front of a solid blue background. She wears a light grey Wavefront Centre T-shirt and black pants. Facing the camera, she communicates in American Sign Language (ASL), using expressive hand movements and facial expressions. White captions appear in a black box across the lower portion of the video.

10/16/2026

Schedule update: Housing Accessibility Focus Groups

Deaf Accessibility Strategies' DeafBlind focus group on October 28 has been cancelled. The November 25 DeafBlind session remains scheduled from 12 noon–3 p.m. The Deaf community sessions on October 27 and November 24 are unchanged.

Share your housing experiences and help identify what would make housing more accessible.

Location: Wavefront Centre — 2005 Quebec Street, Vancouver

Deaf community sessions:
October 27 and November 24, 2026, 6:00pm–8:00pm

DeafBlind community session:
November 25, 2026, 12:00pm–3:00pm

Register: https://focusgroup.s.gy/register
ASL focus group announcement: https://youtu.be/d0JGRn5LJRU
Learn more about the project in ASL: https://youtu.be/LTdp1tzaPvw

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Please share this update with anyone planning to attend.

10/15/2026

: Firing up the grill at West 7th

As part of our year-long celebration of Wavefront Centre’s 70th anniversary, we’re sharing some of the everyday moments that brought our staff and community together.

This photo from 2003 takes us back to the annual United Way BBQ in the back parking lot of our former West 7th Avenue location. Events like these offered a chance to step away from the workday, share a meal, and enjoy time together as a team.

Sometimes the best memories are the simplest ones... Good food and good company!

Do you remember the annual BBQ or other staff gatherings at West 7th? We’d love for you to share your memories in the comments.