According to Schein, there are two central forces at play in creating the Deaf Community. The first "centrifugal force" pushes Deaf and hard of hearing people AWAY from the hearing majority (through alienation and discrimination) The second centrifugal force pulls Deaf and hard of hearing people TOWARD each other because of their shared experiences and affiliation (referred to in Deaf Learners, Moores, 2006, p 116) Padden and Humphries (1988), also quoted in Moores book, adds that the Deaf community may include people who are themselves not deaf but who actively support the goals of the Deaf community and work with (rather than for) Deaf people.
Below is a list of Deaf organizations in the province of BC:
Greater Vancouver Association of the Deaf
BC Cultural Society of the Deaf
The Norwest Deaf Outdoors Club (4x4's club)
IDHHC- Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre
MIS- Medical Interpreting Service
Provincial Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
WAVLI- West Coast Association Visual Language Interpreter
WIDHH- Wedstern Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre
Children's Hearing and Speech Centre of BC
Family Network for Deaf Children
Provincial Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services
Burnaby on Line