Association du Québec pour Enfants avec Problèmes Auditifs (A.Q.E.P.A.) Saguenay inc.

The Association du Québec pour Enfants avec Problèmes Auditifs (A.Q.E.P.A.) Saguenay inc. is a regional nonprofit organization based in Saguenay, Quebec, dedicated to supporting children with hearing impairments and their families. Registered under the business number 891242141RR0001, this association forms part of a wider provincial network known as AQEPA, which has been active for over 50 years advocating for the inclusion and development of children with hearing loss throughout Quebec.

Mission and Objectives

AQEPA Saguenay aims to promote the social inclusion and educational success of young individuals living with hearing impairments by providing information, support, and awareness initiatives. Its core mission is to help these children reach their full potential through various programs and services that support families and raise societal awareness about deafness and hearing challenges.

Services and Programs

The association offers a variety of services tailored to meet the needs of children with hearing difficulties and their families. These include:

• Speech Therapy Support: Individual or group speech therapy sessions are provided by qualified speech-language pathologists, such as Marie-Ève Pageau, either at home or in group workshops.
• Advocacy and Rights Defense: Assisting families in navigating educational and social services to ensure the rights of children with hearing impairments are respected.
• Educational Resources: Provision of guides and practical tools for parents to better understand and support their children’s hearing loss.
• Awareness and Sensitization: Programs aimed at reducing stigma and increasing public understanding about deafness and hearing issues.

Organizational Structure

AQEPA Saguenay is led by a team of dedicated volunteers and staff, including:

• President: Patricia Fortin
• Vice-President: Sabrina Simard
• Treasurer: Maxime Simard
• Secretary: Valérie Girard
• Multiple administrators and a coordinator responsible for privacy protection, contributing to governance and program delivery.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

The organization is committed to accessibility, offering services in French and ensuring accommodations for wheelchair users with ongoing improvements for physical access. It also facilitates communication through Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and collaborates with local public transportation services to ease access.

Community and Partnerships

AQEPA Saguenay collaborates with local educational and health services as well as tutoring organizations, such as Tutorax, to enrich the support available to children with hearing loss. It emphasizes community involvement and works closely with families to tailor its offerings to their specific needs.

Regional and Provincial Network

As part of the broader AQEPA network across Quebec, the Saguenay branch benefits from provincial resources and aligns with the overall goal of enabling children with hearing impairments to thrive socially and academically. The provincial AQEPA serves as a hub to coordinate regional efforts, share expertise, and amplify advocacy efforts for children with hearing challenges.

This organization plays an essential role in Quebec’s support system for children with hearing impairments, fostering inclusion, empowerment, and accessibility within the Saguenay region and beyond[1][2][3][4].