Volume 2 Issue 1 August 2008 www.discoveringdeafworlds.com
What’s Next for Discovering Deaf Worlds? Friends, we are only one month away from completing an around-the-world journey that began nearly one year ago. With your help and support, we have been able to capture over 100 hours of video footage of thriving deaf clubs in New Zealand, brilliant student dancers in China, inspirational calligraphy artists in Japan, homes for children without families in India, empowering games in Australia, isolated villagers in the mountains of Nepal, thrifty street market vendors in Thailand, and hard working non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Cambodia. Without a doubt, DDW has been well received in every country. The international deaf communities of these countries have welcomed our efforts to research and document their unique cultures. We all share a vision to make a difference. We all strive to improve the standards, rights, and opportunities for deaf people. And we are all committed to strengthening the bonds that were made crossing borders this past year. “So what’s next for DDW?” is the question many people ask. “Is this the end of the line for your trav-
What is DDW? Dave Justice and Christy Smith are traveling the world to learn and share stories of empowerment, inspiration, and connection between international Deaf communities. Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is an opportunity to give deaf people worldwide a voice. For more information, photos, video logs, and newsletter stories, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.
Dave and Christy filming at a school in India els?” Well, not exactly. Since we’ve only been to eight out of 200-plus countries in this world, we figure: “Let’s keep on truckin’!” We have seen the importance and direct impact of DDW’s outreach from one country to the next, and value the feedback we get following our travels. So, as we wrap up this first journey by returning to the United States in September, DDW will enter a new phase. And this is what we envision: 1. Future onward travels through South America, Africa, Europe and Asia to continue discovering deaf worlds. Many of the schools, organizations and NGOs we visited do not have easily accessible contact information. Online research is unsuccessful for schools without websites or with only non-English websites. We discovering such places only by visiting that country and diving into the local deaf communities. As DDW grows, we intend to continue traveling, as well as sponsor additional duos of deaf and hearing people to film, interview, and document their international experiences. 2. Create possibilities by becoming more deeply involved with select schools, organizations and WHAT’S NEXT?, continued on page 5 August 2008 1
Truth, Non-Violence and Simplicity Gandhi was a political and Throughout the world, the spiritual leader to India and inname Mohandas Gandhi is synonymous with non-violence. Dedspired civil rights movements throughout the world. On Jan. icated to issues of unjust poverty, 30, 1948, he was assassinated by religious harmony, and women’s a Hindu Mahasabha radical exrights, Gandhi shined as a leader tremist. There had been five previfor his ability to organize social protest. He showed the world how ous attempts on his life. With honorable dedication, non-violent civil disobedience Gandhi practiced the principles could free a nation from foreign he promoted: truth, non-viocontrol. lence, vegetarianism, BrahmachaGandhi was often referred to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi rya (spiritual and practical purity), as Mahatma, which means “Great (1869-1948) simplicity and faith. Soul.” Regardless of his immense popularity, he maintained a simSource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_ ple, modest life in a self-sufficient community. He hand-spun his own Indian shawls for clothing, was Gandhi. Photo credit: www.s9.com/Biography/Maa vegetarian, and traveled by train or bus as any aver- hatma-Gandhi. Quotes credited to http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Mahatma_Gandhi. age farmer would do.
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
–Mohandas Gandhi
Dave and Christy have dedicated their time to the boys and girls of Shuktara this past month in Kolkata, India (see the June issue for more details on Shuktara; this issue may be downloaded from www. discoveringdeafworlds.com/DDW%20Newsletter%20Archive/ddwjune08.pdf ). Strong connections have been made, and ongoing support will be exchanged between DDW and this magical non-governmental organization throughout the next several years. In addition, DDW has dedicated this time to documenting the schools, organizations, and businesses involved with the Kolkata deaf comA warm welcome return munity. Continued travels through India will from the Shuktara home! take Dave and Christy to Varanasi, Jaipur and New Delhi. Much more is to come in the September issue about what’s happening in the deaf community of Northern India. The September issue will be the final full- length newsletter for this remarkable journey.
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Discovering Deaf Worlds
A World Without Barriers For Every Deaf Child
Sandhya, Inky, and Debasis of VAANI share their services with DDW Throughout DDW’s visits to deaf schools and organizations in Kolkata, a shared concern has been raised regarding parental and family involvement. When more than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents, the common response among parents tends to be disappointment, denial, and anger. In India, deafness is often viewed as a result of bad karma from a past life. Therefore, it is not uncommon for uninformed parents to remain withdrawn from the early development stages of their deaf children. Formerly known as the International Deaf Children’s Society, VAANI is an organization responding to such concerns. Their motto is to empower deaf children and their families. Vaani is a Hindi word meaning sound, or voice. The translation of this word does not
Since July 23, Discovering Deaf Worlds has been in Northern India, the final destination for this year’s journey. Dave and Christy will remain there until Sept. 16. Check for updates and stories at www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.
infer sound only by ears, but also through the soul, the wind, the eyes, and all of one’s inner and outer senses. It is an all-encompassing word to represent one of the organization’s main objectives: correcting the myth that “if you can not speak, you can not communicate.” Visual language is communication the same as any spoken language. When we give deaf children a world without barriers to develop a language, they will prove themselves capable the same as any hearing child. “When parents are better informed on options for education, communication, hearing aids, and support networks,” states a VAANI staff member, “they can make wiser choices for their deaf child.” To generate such empowerment, VAANI conducts training programs with parents and special educators. They also influence policy makers to provide more quality services and balanced information. In addition to trainings and government meetings, VAANI aims to maintain a supportive network of parents who have deaf children. Recently, the organization hosted its first official family fun day. “There were no lectures, or workshops, or trainings,” says Communications Manager Sandhya Srinivasar. “This was solely an opportunity for parents of deaf children to get together and socialize.” Over 300 people turned up, proving to one another that they are not alone. Visit VAANI’s website at www.vaani.in.
Did You Know... • There are 12 million deaf people in India; of that number, approximately 300,000 are aged 0-4 years. • Over 25,000 children are born deaf every year in India. • 81% of parents with a deaf child in India never learn to fully communicate with the child. • An undiagnosed deaf child at age three may only know about 25 words, compared to 700 words for a hearing child of the same age. Source: VAANI Deaf Children’s Foundation
August 2008 3
A Thank You to Our Sponsors The Next Generation of WebSites Take charge of your site Your website is your brand. It’s you, Your company, appearing in the landscape… Take charge today! www.sitebrandbuilder.com
Ralph P. DeStephano Donate to DDW by going online! www.discoveringdeafworlds.com
add your logo or banner to the DDW website!
Nearly 19,000 cumulative hits from 101 countries! Contact info@discoveringdeafworlds.com for more information, options, and pricing.
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Discovering Deaf Worlds
Shout -Outs! Shout Shout-Outs! -Outs! Janet Brower of Red Cross and Jessica Germano & Jenna Weintraub of Planned Parenthood…we are so grateful for your professional guidance before returning to India. You are generous warm-hearted people making a difference out there! Subhavkar Roy of FPA-Kolkata…we appreciate you taking the time to meet with us and share your cultural perspective and knowledge. You are doing wonderful things to educate the community in Kolkata. David and Alison…you have made Kolkata our home away from home. There is no doubt we will see you again! Newsletter services provided by T.S. Writing Services, LLC www.tswriting.com A Deaf-Owned Company
WHAT’S NEXT?, continued from front page schools we have discovered. Although raising awareness through our newsletter, blog and video has been successful, we now want to provide consistent, ongoing support. Such involvement will include both financial assistance (such as sponsoring a deaf child in India to go to school) and matching resources (sending qualified role models abroad to work with deaf students in Dave and Christy tell schoolchildren about Cambodia on language development, or gaththeir travels around the world. ering hearing aids to donate to a deaf school in Nepal). Stay tuned for how you can get ina PBS or Discovery Channel special, to raise volved with Discovering Deaf Worlds: Creatawareness on deafness worldwide. ing Possibilities! • Provide public appearances at schools and asNaturally, the continuation of DDW will depend sociations to share stories of what struggles and on regular, ongoing sources of funding. We will begin opportunities deaf people are facing around the writing grants and searching for potential sponsorship world and inspire others to travel (see page 6). connections to continue our fundraising efforts. If • Maintain solid international connections and you have recommendations for funding opportunities, continue being an intermediary network to inplease e-mail info@discoveringdeafworlds.com. ternational deaf communities. Throughout our DDW is not a one-time operation. Though it is untravels, we receive regular e-mails from those likely we will travel again at this magnitude, we will researching deaf culture or participating in continue to travel and reach each continent, one counproject development in other countries. We will try at a time. So until that next plane ticket is purcontinue to link such people and organizations chased, our full-time efforts are dedicated to sharing together. why this organization is important. Here is our plan as Thanks to all of you for your ongoing support. The we regroup back home over the next few months: start-up of DDW has been a huge success and we are • Work with a video production team to edit and anxious to see what’s to come in the next five years, ten caption a one-hour length film, in the style of years, and beyond. We are on our way!
International Travel Tidbits Confirmation Not Found?! When flying internationally, always have a printout of your flight information with you until you arrive at your destination, especially if changing airlines for connecting flights. Don’t assume your information will be in the computer. Many airports, especially in developing countries, still rely on paper printouts for verification. Without that precious piece of paper, you may fall victim to hours and hours of tedious haggling over purchasing another flight. Where do I wash my hands? Public restrooms can be hard to find when traveling through underdeveloped countries. Often, your only option is a severely neglected squat toilet with a bucket of not-so-fresh water used for both wiping (with the left hand) and flushing. Even in a fancy restaurant, you’re lucky to get soap and running water. Don’t expect a butler handing out warm towels, breath mints and perfumes. It’s best to keep some wet wipes sealed in a plastic bag in your pocket if you want to wash your hands before lunch. August 2008 5
DiscoverinG
Deaf WorldS with
Christy Smith & Dave Justice Th urs day, O ctob e r 2 3, 200 8 5:00–6:30 pm Hors d’oeuvre & Dessert Reception 7:00–8:30 pm Presentation in the RSD Auditorium $45 per person / $20 lecture only For tickets, please call 585-544-1240 (voice/TTY). Visit www.RSDeaf.org/Adventures
UNDERWRITING LEVELS $ 250-499 2 complimentary tickets and listing in program
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6 complimentary tickets and logo in program For more information, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at 585.336.5800 Major underwriting support provided by
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Please return this lower form with your underwriting gift to: Rochester School for the Deaf 1545 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14621
1545 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14621 • For tickets, please call 585-544-1240 (voice/TTY) • Visit www.RSDeaf.org/Adventures
Want to schedule a presentation with Discovering Deaf Worlds at your school, organization or club? contact info@discoveringdeafworlds.com. 6
Discovering Deaf Worlds
The Home Stretch!
Thank you for believing in us!
We have only one month left to make it back to the States and fulfill our year long journey of discovering deaf worlds. If you have enjoyed reading our newsletter and are feeling generous today, please make a small donation to help us see this project through. We are living on a combined budget of $20-$25 per day in India, so donations of any size can have a profound impact. You will be helping us cover additional project expenses we have for video equipment and editing, interpreting services, the newsletter you are reading right now and much more. Donations can be made online or by mail. To donate, stop by www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
–Mohandas Gandhi
Indian Sign Language In each issue, DDW prints the fingerspelled alphabet of a visited country. While traveling through Northern India, DDW is still searching for a more accurate image of the ISL fingerspelling alphabet. The ISL department of the National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (NIHH) in Kolkata only had this image to pass on as a resource, but explained that there are a few differences between this image and the actual ISL alphabet. More information about NIHH is at www. ayjnihh.nic.in.
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