Check out this art display. It’s the bomb.
For the fourth year in a row, the Lakeshore branch of the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library has wrapped itself in a yarn bomb display, in recognition of June’s National Deafblind Awareness Month. Outside, its pillars are covered in work done by local knitting clubs and members of the DeafBlind Ontario Services community.
Inside, the art wall has been covered with similar patchwork.
“The library has been delighted to partner on this important awareness campaign,” library board chair Anne Smith said. “We are passionate about offering inclusive and accessible library services. From lending assistive devices through our Library of Things, to offering resources in a variety of accessible formats, we strive to ensure every member of our community can engage with our services.”
June was chosen because it is the birth month of author and disability rights advocate Helen Keller.
Yarn bombing is also an initiative of Deafblind International, which for four years, too, has decorated public spaces and objects throughout the globe — from large trees and lamp posts to fences and building fronts — with colourful yarn creations to raise awareness of deafblindness.
This condition, a combination of hearing and vision loss, affects each individual uniquely. It can have implications on their access to information, communication and mobility.
In Canada, about two per cent of the population — more than 602,000 people — are deafblind. Over 246,000 of those folks live in Ontario.
Locally, DeafBlind Ontario has assisted-living homes in Innisfil and Barrie that support a total of nine residents.
“We are there every day, 365 days a year supporting the individuals, teaching them new skills (and) helping them develop communication, live their best life, experience new things and form relationships,” culture advocate Sarah Grimbly said. “That’s the main goal.”
The organization supports people who are deafblind, as well as those living with a developmental disability who are deaf, hard of hearing or use non-traditional forms of communication. Specialized services are customized to an individual’s needs.
“We’re always here to support DeafBlind Ontario; we’ve been here for many years,” Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin said. “The library is a champion of all great causes. They do us proud by helping us raise awareness of different initiatives within the town. It’s invaluable. Watch the traffic coming in and out (of the building). This is the kitchen of our community. If you want to raise awareness on anything, the library is the place to do it. People here are eager to learn.”
The Lakeshore branch is at 967 Innisfil Beach Rd. There are also several other installations showcased throughout the province, including Newmarket’s Fairy Lake Park (520 Water St.) and Unwind Yarn House (476 Timothy St.) and Aurora’s Bloom Floral Design Studio (14799 Yonge St.).
For more information, visit deafblindontario.com.
