Your Community. Your Home. Your Team.

Our History

Before 1981, children with Deafblindness had to leave the province to receive appropriate programming in either Ontario or Colorado. In 1981, a new Residential Deafblind program began in Saskatchewan. From 1981 to 1990, this program was housed at the R.J.D. Williams Provincial School for the Deaf in Saskatoon.

In 1986, the first home was opened with two Individuals. Early in 1990, the Board of Directors learned that the Department of Education was considering phasing out the Residential School program for the Deaf; this was a major concern, as it would surely impact the students with Deafblindness. The Association had to ensure that specialized programming would continue to be provided to Individuals with Deafblindness in Saskatchewan.

At this time, an agreement between the Saskatchewan Department of Education and the Ministry of Social Services was developed to ensure that the education component would be transferred to the Saskatoon Public School Board in September 1990, and the Canadian Deafblind Association would receive funds to run three group homes for Individuals with Deafblindness.
These three group homes were specifically designed and staffed to meet the unique needs of individuals with Deafblindness. The combined loss of sight and hearing creates severe sensory deprivation, which causes challenges relating to the environment and in communication. Therefore, it was deemed essential that living environments be adapted to alleviate some of the daily frustration these Individuals face. School-age Individuals were educated through the public system, while older Individuals worked at a variety of jobs and agencies.

In May 2009, our name was changed to Canadian Deafblind Association – Saskatchewan Chapter Inc. CDBA National decided to change the name to be more inclusive of all Individuals who are Deafblind. Once National made the change, all the chapters followed suit.