Volume 3 Issue 2
October 2009 www.discoveringdeafworlds.org
Countdown to Non-Profit Status!
DDW advances social, educational and employment needs in developing countries.
Preserving local sign languages and promoting diversity are core values behind DDW’s mission.
As of August 13, 2009, DDW is incorporated! {Hands waving} In essence, incorporation means that DDW is now an independent entity that will stick around long after any of its individual members are gone. Thanks to the guidance of Nixon Peabody LLP, we are now approximately 60 days away from becoming an official non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Woo-hoo! The past several months, we have begun assembling our Board of Directors (see Our Team Has Expanded,
page 2), who have already been crucial to focusing DDW’s mission and laying the foundation for its strategic plan. Although there are many directions we could take this organization, ultimately we have decided to focus DDW’s resources and efforts on deaf and hard of hearing communities in developing countries with the greatest need. Take a look at our updated mission statement: Discovering Deaf Worlds, an international deaf advocacy organization dedicated to empowering deaf and hard of hearing people in developing countries, strives to advance the capacity of local deaf communities around the globe to meet their social, educational and employment needs. DDW achieves this through joint venture programs and partnerships with educators, employers, and non-governmental organizations. Our mission will continue to evolve and adapt to the various needs and issues we encounter over the years, as we aim to make a long-term impact in the communities we work with. In addition, DDW holds the following values to be central to its mission: • Local sign languages reflect the cultures in which they are rooted and must be preserved;
What is DDW? Discovering Deaf Worlds is dedicated to empowering and advocating for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities around the world. We believe everyone deserves accessibility to language, education, and community. For more information, photos and stories, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.org.
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