Hard of Hearing Good Guy

                    Chris Kenopic 

MY COMMENTS: I met him at class room from Miss Lalonde for grade 12 (2) by September 1986 - June 1987.

1. Are he born deaf or hard of hearing and causes?

He was born deaf and not sure why as it has always been accepted that he was born deaf.

2. Did he went to Hearing School?

Yes, for first few years he attended a couple of hearing school in Renfrew, Ontario. At the time signing was not available and he was not aware there was signing either. So, there was a lot of difficulty communicating with people and always being sent to the PrinicIpal's Office as teachers thought he was not paying attention. He was also being bullied by another kids making fun of his big old fashioned hearing aids. He was always bullied during recess and very isolated.

3. What name of School?

Hearing School he cannot remember the First one but the Second was the Lady of Fatima School. 

 4. When did he attended Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf?

He was then transferred to Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf he think in the year 1977 and graduated in 1986. At the time sign language was not permitted in the classroom but students did sign outside if the class and in Residence. This is where he learned to sign language as he had no signing prior to arriving at the Deaf School.  It was then when he could understand and learn conversation with people through sign language, finally.

5. When did he graduated at Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf?

He graduated at Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in June 13th, 1986.

6. When did he graduated Gallaudent University?

He graduated from Gallaudent University in 1993 and should have graduated in 1991. He struggled in Math that being Algebra and Geometry as well French as he was never taught those courses in Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf.  Also his original plans were that he was not planning to go to any University but then he met his deaf wife Laureen Baskerville  and decided then to go to Gallaudent University.

He did process to want to study at George Brown College to taking courses to become a Ministry of Natural Resources Officer but then they would not accept him because he was deaf and would not provide interpreters.

7. What course did he take?

At Gallaudent University, he received Degree in Communication Acts.

8. When did he worked at Canadian Hearing Society?

He started working at Canadian Hearing Society in 2004 but before that he first worked at Durham Deaf Services in Oshawa, Ontario, then GOLD: Goal Ontario Literacy for Deaf Peoples, served as first Executive Director of the Ontario Association of the Deaf, then to Canadian Hearing Society in Hamilton, Ontario as Regional Director and then as President and CEO of Canadian Hearing Society from 2010 - 2014.

9. What kind of job at Canadian Hearing Society?

As Regional Director, he was responsible in Overseeing Services, Staff and Issues the area of Hamilton, Brantford and St. Catharine's. We had great staff working these and he always have great memories and am grateful for the support given by them.

As President and CEO of Canadian Hearing Society another great experience again working with all the Regional Offices, Managers and Staff across Ontario. Had the opportunity to provide support to a couple other organizations out of provinces to sell technical devices, lobu changes to regulations making it mandatory for visual fire alarm and the list goes on. 

The only regret was having to deal with the board who at most times did not fully understand the services and the community we served. They were mind focused on tripling profits which at the time was ridiculous. It was even more disappointing when Deaf Members serving on the board were pawns of letting decisions be determined by those not experienced in Community Issues too.  

10. When did he worked at Silent Voice?

He worked for Silent Voice for one year as Settlement Worker Last Fall 2014 - Winter 2016.

11. What kind of job at Silent Voice?

As Settlement Worker, he provided services and support to immigrants and refugees who were Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Assisted in employment, housing, advocacy and other type of support needed.

Working at Silent Voice was great and so many memories although it was for a short period. The staff at Silent Voice were very supportive and worked as a great team.

12. Have he been involved anything at Deaf Community?

- Ontario Assoication of the Deaf President 

- Canadian Assiocation of the Deaf Director

- Vice President and then President

- George Brown College Interpreter Training Program Co-Founder and Chair

- York University Deaf Education Program for teachers as Director

- Chair of the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf hosted in Montreal 2003

- Ontario Fishing for the Deaf Established 1986

- the list goes on.....

- He now work as the Executive Director at the Deaf Literacy Initative in Mississauga, Ontario 

1. MY COMMENTS:  I never knew was Canadian Deaf and Hard of Hearing then changed to Canadian Hearing Society from (?) to present.  I learned from him about his story are President,  CEO and CHS. 

2. MY COMMENTS: Chris did good jobs and elbow grease went thought his life but he good man.

3. MY COMMENTS: Chris was involved from Netflix called Ginny & Georgia Seasons 1 (2022) and 2 (2023) also his son Braden from TV commercial about "chocolate "

Chris and his son Braden 

May 17th, 2022

                           Season 1 2022

                        Season 2 2023