Manitoba increasing funding for deaf athletes after human rights complaint

WINNIPEG – Manitoba is increasing funding for deaf amateur athletes after a human rights complaint.

The province will now spend up to $40,000 a year to increase sign-language help for young amateur athletes.

Two parents of deaf children lodged a complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission saying lack of money for sign language services made it harder for some deaf children to participate in sports.

The province agreed to increase funding through Sport Manitoba.

The money is specifically for interpretation services to help athletes communicate with their coaches and game officials.

Kyra Zimmer, one of the parents who lodged the complaint, says the funding will be used from try-outs to competition.