Small but big Biz highlights those in the Ottawa community making change through Business
Shattering’s barriers: Brandon Wilton’s journey as a teacher’s assistant and advocate for the deaf community
In the hectic classrooms at Carelton University, amidst the learners and teachers, there is one person who stands out operating on a different frequency – Brandon Wilton. A young and emerging mind helping guide others along the path of ASL a dedicated teachers assistant, Wilton brings a unique perspective to his born to deaf parents, Brandons path is not about just being a good teacher assistant, it is about advocating for inclusion, understanding for the deaf community and his path to becoming an interpreter.
Wilton’s story is one of resilience and determination, shaped by his understanding of ASL at an early age where ASL is the primary form of communication. He recalled a situation when he was interpreting for his mother, she was mad at a service worker at a pharmacy and Brandon was sugarcoating his mother’s words to the worker she realized and told Brandon he needed to interpret her words fully.
“The biggest thing is fully understanding what an interpret does you are not going here to speak for them you are their voice” Wilton reflects. “I learned the richness of visual communications and the importance of empathy at an early age.”
His goal is to close the gap between the hearing and deaf communities helped his decision to become a teacher’s aide.
“I’ve always felt a strong sense of having a duty to advocate for both of my parents and others like them,” Wilton says. “Education looked like the ideal way for making a difference.”
At Carleton university, his role goes far beyond the norm of a regular teacher as he helps give students a view into a culture they otherwise would never connect with. He views sign language as a beautiful language and helps one become a better person.
“Do it learn it makes you more confident you get to meet a more visually cultural it is a beautiful language.” said Wilton
Raising awareness of deaf culture and the value of ASL as a means of communication is one of Brandon’s biggest accomplishments to the school community. He informs students about the special needs and capacities of deaf people through meetings, and one-on-one conversations.
Wilton goal after completion of his university education is to go to interpreting school in Newfoundland and Labrador Wilton hopes to entrench himself further within deaf culture and the richness of it, and to become an interpreter and fill in the gap of male interpreters.
“There is shortage of male interpreters out there available to the youth and deaf parents want their children to see successful men use sign language to have role models who use the language,” said Wilton
Deaf advocacy is not just about ensuring resources are available; it is about ensuring that people helping members of the deaf community operate with dignity.
It plays a huge role in challenging societal norms and pushes back against the oppression the deaf community has faced. At its core, deaf advocacy is about showing the beauty of the community and the culture, something Wilton wishes to convey through his work.
Wilton works with students on his own on Tuesday with a weekly study sensation, during which Wilton imparts his knowledge on ASL to students. Through these sessions he educates students and teaches them crucial skills they may have missed in class.
Despite the hecticness of his life, Wilton is still available for his family, and for the people he loves.
“They taught me the importance of determination and adaptability, and they continue to support me in everything I do.” said Wilton
Todd Tobin the teacher Brandon currently is a teacher assistant for signed in ASL.
“that Brandon being a heritage/native speaker of the language is a huge benefit when working with me as a TA, since I am native I catch things that English-speakers who learned ASL would miss, they brought up the fact that Brandon does the study groups based off his teaching and that Brandon is good at interacting with the students of the class whenever they need assistance”
What motivates Wilton the most is being thrust into a role to inspire others who came from a background like his, those who, like him, come from a deaf family.
“My hope is that young people growing up can see me and the positive energy I have put into the community and emulate that. “Brandon reminisced “I hope that by sharing my experience, I can empower others to shatter barriers and pursue paths that have not been walked by many.”
The journey is far from over for Wilton. As he navigates the path of advocating for the deaf community and inspiring those around him, he remains firm in the belief that change starts by setting a good example of a model to follow.
“I want to be in the deaf community it is the best place for me integrate myself in the culture and language that is in my biased opinion beautiful. said Wilton
Rachel Bashizi and creating locs to the future
In a bustling city like Ottawa, where fashion and personal care are necessary, one entrepreneur is making waves with her style and ability to weave locks and styles. Rachel Bashizi, a seasoned hairstylist, has clients across the city of Ottawa and Gatineau seeking personalized and efficient haircare services.
A post Covid World has seen a lot of traditional walk-in salons close their doors, Bashizi model of people booking appointments through social media like Facebook is feeling the gap these salons left behind.
This model of a two-party system ensures that her clients receive undecided, attention, allowing for a more intimate consultation and services tailored to individual needs “by having myself just focus on one person and spending time figuring and focusing on their needs, just make for a more intimate and satisfying experience.” said Bashizi.
The sort of casual Internet appointment-based system lets her clients choose timeslots that fit their schedules, reducing weight times, and enhancing overall satisfaction. “It just suits my needs and makes getting my hair done a whole lot easier.” said Jade Wong client.
Bashizi’s approach reflects the tide of the modern beauty industry for most people are promoting themselves as a business. By embracing this model, she is in her business to meet the evolving preferences of clients seeking quality and convenience.
The landscape of the beauty world is always evolving and Bashizi’s is looking to absorb knowledge to improve and chase goals. “I just set goals for myself that I can reach and look at what others are doing and try to learn and from that” said Bashizi.
Hair care and styling in the city of Ottawa has a huge market and Bashizi is positioning herself to create locks for her clients to meet their needs and offer fresh and unique looks.
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