Rick Webster was able to apply for a mortgage at CIBC on his own terms when the Parksville branch provided a sign language interpreter.
“I’ve always had to pay for my own interpreter, it’s not fair and it’s just not right,” Webster said through Rachel Murray of the Island deaf and hard of hearing centre.
Webster is a business man who explained if companies want his business it only makes sense to provide an interpreter.
“It’s time for all deaf people to speak out, we have to work to get more companies to provide interpreters,” he signed to Murray.
Branch manager Leslie Cuff said all businesses are required by law to provide the service at their cost if someone requests it, but points out they have to bring someone in so people need to contact the bank and make arrangements ahead of time.
She said other branches she has worked at have provided interpreters but this was the first time in the many years she’s worked in Parksville that it was requested.
