Deafblind & Intervenor Studies Program (C158)

Program Description

Leadership Claims

George Brown College is the first Canadian college to offer a Deafblind Intervenor certificate program.

Program Overview

The Deafblind and Intervenor Studies program prepares you to work with individuals who have combined vision and hearing loss. This is a hybrid program, including online and in-person components.  

 

Full Description

Students practicing sign language

The one-year Deafblind and Intervenor Studies (C158) certificate program prepares you to support individuals with combined hearing and vision loss, enabling them to access information and interact more fully with their environment. 

If you have a passion for helping others, want to work in a dynamic sector that has a surplus of employment opportunities, are creative and a good communicator, consider becoming a Deafblind intervenor.  

Courses are delivered in a hybrid (online and in-person) format in both semesters. You will also gain practical experience working directly with individuals who are Deafblind.  

You’ll learn the following in this program: 

  • how to work with Deafblind children and adults
  • how to support Deafblind individuals with complex medical needs that include aging
  • how to interact with members of the Deafblind community both virtually and in person
  • American Sign Language (ASL), a visual language adapted to accommodate those with dual sensory loss
  • alternate communication methods, professionalism, values, ethics, and sighted guide 

Essential Skills of an Intervenor

To be an effective Intervenor, we recommend that you have these key characteristics: 

  • Strong communicator – Clear and effective communication will be key as you will be responsible for providing access to visual, auditory, and environmental information. 
  • Creative – In some circumstances, to make information accessible, you may need to think and act creatively to properly relay situational information. 
  • Flexible – Being flexible is a key attribute, as each day "on the job" will be different from the next. 
  • Trustworthy – You will play an important role in the lives of your clients, so the ability to build trust easily is an important asset. 

Is the Deafblind & Intervenor Studies (C158) program right for you?

Your Field Education Options

The field placement component of this program provides students with practical experience working directly with individuals who are Deafblind. Of the two placements we offer, one will be learning to work with consumers with congenital deafblindness and the other with acquired deafblindness.

Placements are scheduled two days per week in the second half of semester 2, for a total of 84 hours.

Students will participate in both observation and hands-on practice in each of the placements, applying the theory and technical skills they've learned to date.

Placements can be across the lifespan and can be with children, adults, and seniors and within a variety of educational and community settings.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Intervenors have the skills to facilitate communication with Deafblind people across all aspects of day-to-day life, such as health care, business, education and social services.

These specialized communication tools are an asset for anyone who interacts with members of the Deafblind community.

This is a recognized profession in Ontario within school boards and agencies.

There are 6 key agencies whose primary role is supporting individuals with Deafblindness. Some examples of possible job titles include:

  • intervenor
  • team leader
  • supervisor
  • program co-ordinator
  • intervenor services co-ordinator
  • manager 

In larger school boards, there is the Deafblind Intervenor position, and in smaller school boards, Intervenors are sometimes hired under Educational Assistant Positions and Signing Educational Assistant positions.

To broaden employment prospects, combine this certificate with:

Industry

Intervenors work with Deafblind individuals (children and adults) across Canada. Graduates can find employment with:

  • organizations serving Deafblind individuals
  • educational institutions and specialized school programs
  • contracts with individuals with deafblindness
  • community residential settings

Educational Pathways

This Deafblind and Intervenor Studies (C158) certificate provide a strong foundation for entering other programs at George Brown College, including:

Alumni Impact

We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.

Latest Alumni Stories

Visit and discover life in our campus

Book campus tour

Get answers to your questions

Book info session

Sign up to receive tailored resources to make your application, your way.

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.