Adult Education

This program is offered to Deaf and hard of hearing residents of Ontario. Individuals must be 19 years of age or older and have a reading, writing and math skills level below grade 12. Participants will learn reading, writing, math, American Sign Language, computers and other basic skills to help them to lead more independent lives and prepare to move onto employment or post-secondary education. This program, funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, is offered on a full time or part time basis.

This program is offered for Deaf and hard of hearing Newcomers to Canada. Those eligible to attend include Permanent Residents, Protected Persons, Convention Refugees or Live-In Caregivers ages 19 and older. Our Language Instruction for Newcomers program offers classes in English, numeracy, computers, ASL and Canadian Citizenship. This program, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, runs full time days. Applicants must first complete a Language Assessment at the YMCA.

In Ontario, the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program is generally offered in English. However, there are a few institutions that offer the French equivalent.

The French program is called “Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC).” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finances both the LINC and CLIC programs. You do not have to pay for them.

The following institutions offer CLIC:

La Cité des affaires (Ottawa – affiliated with La Cité collégiale)

Collège Boréal (offers CLIC programs in Southern Ontario)

L’École des adultes Le Carrefour (affiliated with the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario)

This program provides Employment Services to Deaf adult Newcomers to Canada. An Employment Counsellor assists clients to develop skills that will aid them in finding employment. Workshops are provided on resume writing, cover letters, employment training, interview skills, etc. Deaf individuals have access to various resources including an ASL/English Interpreter for workshops and interviews. This program is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

All programs are free of charge.