WHO WE ARE
The Canada Deaf Grassroots Movement (CDGM) was founded in April 2020 to empower Deaf Canadians and advocate for equal rights, access, and opportunities. We are a nationwide movement with representatives from coast to coast, working toward shared goals for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, CODA (Children of Deaf Adults), and interpreters.
As a grassroots organization, CDGM operates as an unincorporated group of dedicated individuals. While we do not have a formal board or bylaws, our key advisors—who meet regularly—include:
Kimberly Wood
CDGM Founder & Chair
CDGM
Anthony Cashin
CDGM Treasurer & Ontario Representative
CDGM
Tricia Amaro
Manitoba Representative
CDGM
Denise Coldwell
Atlantic Canada Representative
CDGMWho Can Join CDGM?
Anyone from the Deaf community is welcome to join. Becoming a member is as simple as joining our Facebook group, and we currently do not charge any membership fees.
CDGM values teamwork, and members are expected to actively contribute to our mission. To join, good references from the Deaf community or local organizations are required.
You can also click “GET UPDATES” on the navigation bar on top of page.
Who Does CDGM Work With?
CDGM collaborates with organizations and service providers across Canada. We aim to host workshops, town halls, information sessions, and awareness meetings to promote understanding and unity. By working together, we strengthen our presence and gain recognition from government bodies and other stakeholders.
The Advantages of CDGM’s Teamwork
Our representatives from various provinces and territories share insights to address gaps in services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind communities. By learning from one another, we can help improve services and programs across the country.
Unity amplifies our voice. For example, after a decade of advocacy for Video Relay Service (VRS) in Canada, we succeeded by demonstrating to the CRTC and the federal government that we were united in our efforts.
Our Teams and Commitment
CDGM operates with a writing team, admin team, and technical team, all composed of volunteers. Although we are not fully staffed, we dedicate our time and efforts to fostering awareness, advocating for our community, and highlighting the importance of collaboration.
By working together, we hope to bring meaningful change and demonstrate the value of Deaf-led initiatives across Canada.