Discovering Deaf Worlds October 2015 Newsletter, vol. 9, issue 1

October 2015 Volume 9, Issue 1

A view of the blue mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, during the World Federation of the Deaf XVII World Congress

www.discoveringdeafworlds.org

President’s Note: Shane H. Feldman

Board Members President Shane Feldman Vice President Khadijat Rashid, Ph.D. Treasurer Michael Servé Secretary Mencie Hairston Donalda Ammons, Ph.D. Carol-lee Aquiline Alim Chandani, Ph.D. Erin Moriarty Harrelson Bryan Hensel Joseph Hill, Ph.D. Marty Hiller Kimberly Kurz, Ph.D. Poorna Kushalnagar, Ph.D. Stacey Miller Madan Vasishta, Ph.D. Staff Executive Director Davin Searls International Programs Director and Co-Founder David Justice

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About DDW

Discovering Deaf Worlds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the selfdetermination of signing Deaf communities through local capacity building in developing countries.

DDW recognizes that all people, regardless of their social or economic background, possess the capacity to succeed, and deserve equal access to education, the workplace, and the benefits that society has to offer. For more information, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.org.

In July, I had the privilege of representing the organization that I work for, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), at the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) and World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) conferences in Istanbul, Turkey. Representatives from national associations of Deaf people throughout the Deaf advocates from the Philippines and the united world convened to share states pose together in istanbul, turkey. the state of Deaf human rights in their respective countries, exchange information as well as learn about and seek opportunities to collaborate with organizations like DDW. The experience left a profound impression on me about DDW’s impact and its potential to transform Deaf people’s lives in developing countries.

The Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD), the recipient of DDW training through the USAID EXPAND grant, sent several representatives. A WFD workshop presentation co-led by PFD President Carolyn B. Dagani highlighted many significant PFD milestones and breakthroughs in its work to recognize FSL as a national language.

The information that Ms. Dagani shared demonstrated how DDW successfully implemented its unique approach to empowering Deaf organizations. PFD has complete ownership of the principles that DDW trainers imparted. Furthermore, PFD was on stage taking full charge of sharing information about its FSL initiative. Success for DDW comes from witnessing the success of the organizations we support.

DDW has embraced the WFD philosophy for organizations working in developing countries, as well as Edgar Schein’s process consulting approach. Our respect for other countries’ culture and language, and focus on fostering a sense of ownership, paid its dividends during the PFD workshop at WFD. This impact will no doubt continue to be felt at the upcoming National Forum during the final phase of the USAID EXPAND grant. We have a steadfast commitment to taking every step to uphold the principles established for ourselves. Our philosophy earned praise from the WFD board after we shared our unique approach during WFD’s board meeting.

On Sept. 21-27, Deaf associations throughout the world celebrated International Week of the Deaf, recognizing the tremendous progress Deaf people have made, and the opportunities ahead. This year’s theme was “With Sign Language Rights, Our Children Can!” Without doubt, when a Deaf child’s right to sign language is respected, they bypass language depriContinued on page 7

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National Forum on Deaf Leadership: Reaching the Provinces

By David Justice

“True leaders don’t create followers, They create more leaders.” These wise words are an integral piece of DDW’s approach to international development. For the past four years, DDW has partnered with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) to foster Filipino Deaf community leadership, confidence, and sustainability. DDW has worked closely with PFD officers and directors to ensure a strong foundation to continue Deaf people’s battle for equal treatment, recognition, access, and opportunities.

Thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as the talents of dozens of volunteer and contracted program specialists, DDW coordinated eight three-week cross-cultural trainings on organizational development, data collection, strategic planning, financial management, fund development, disability law, organizational governance, program development and evaluation, outreach, marketing, and public relations. The results have been outstanding!

Last May, PFD hosted its General Assembly, which occurs every four years. For the first time in PFD’s history, the new board took charge with its first Deaf-owned mission, vision and values, clearly understood bylaws, financial management policies, operating budget, fund development strategy, leadership succession intentions, and public relations plan — essential building blocks for any organization to maintain sustainability and grow into a position of influence.

While the focus in the past four years was on PFD as a mother organization based in Manila, there is an

DDW’s Davin Searls and David Justice listen during a PFD training session in manila.

even greater need for such training in the provinces, the most marginalized sectors that collectively represent more than 121,000 Filipino Deaf people.

PFD has 28 member organizations in 13 provinces.

As part of the USAID EXPAND program, PFD will host a National Forum on Deaf Leadership in October. Two members (one male, one female) from each member organization will participate in this forum, held in Manila. Workshops and action planning sessions will be held, and each participant will be given an organizational management training manual to bring home, with video supplements in Filipino Sign Language.

With the forum entirely organized, promoted, and facilitated by PFD, DDW will provide behind-thescenes support. This is the next step in DDW’s trainthe-trainer model to expand the pool of Filipino Deaf leaders. DDW and PFD will continue to look for additional support to provide mentorship opportunities for PFD members.

Systematic change takes time — several years, decades even. But, as Yvette Apurado-B. says, like a Narra tree, such change must begin with strong roots.

PFD is those roots, and its member organizations are the branches. Local Deaf leadership is expanding. Opportunities are growing. Change is happening.

More information on the EXPAND program is at www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/programs/usaidexpand-program. Photo credit: Lizzie Sorkin.

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Strengthening Human Diversity

Incoming and outgoing wfd and wfd youth section board members celebrate during closing ceremonies.

By Davin Searls I was incredibly fortunate to attend the XVII World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in Istanbul, Turkey on July 28-Aug. 1. Occurring every four years, each World Congress is truly a momentous occasion. It’s an opportunity for Deaf people from all over !the world to come together to build friendships and alliances, to share stories of hardship and triumph, and to celebrate our similarities and our differ-

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ences as a global Deaf family. The theme of this year’s Congress was “Strengthening Human Diversity,” and there were over 1,310 participants from 97 countries, with over 49 sign languages in use. To orchestrate an event of this magnitude, there were 100 volunteers and 90 interpreters ensuring that everything went smoothly.

Whenever I travel abroad, I am in awe of the of the full range of diversity within humankind, and appreciative of how our shared dreams unite us in our pursuit of the greater good. This experience was no different. I saw both new and familiar faces — people and organizations who are working tirelessly to advance the human rights of Deaf people throughout the globe, often with little recognition or reward. I attended workshops that covered an incredible breadth of topics, from sign language recognition to political participation to prisoners to disaster relief to gender equality to entrepreneurship - all centered around Deaf people and their experiences.

I befriended a man who had never attended a WFD event before, nor had he ever been involved with the national association of the Deaf in his home country.

He simply decided to attend because a friend of his was going too. I sat next to him during the closing ceremony, and as tears streamed down his face, he told me how grateful he was to have had this expe-

rience, and how despite his daily struggles and the barriers he faced, he was incredibly humbled to realize he was a part of something bigger.

During the Congress, I also met representatives from Haiti’s National Association of the Deaf, which had been established only a few months prior. With people from several dozen countries, I cheered on the president of the Philippine Federation for the Deaf as she shared the work her organization had done over the past few years to further recognition of Filipino Sign Language. I was also grateful to attend the 107th WFD Board meeting, where DDW board member Carol-lee Aquiline and I had an opportunity to share DDW’s work and goals with WFD board members to pave the way for future collaborations.

I am already looking forward to attending the 3rd International Conference of the WFD, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary on Nov. 9-11, 2017.

The theme of this conference will be “Full inclusion with sign language!”, reinforcing the belief that Deaf people can optimally participate in society if sign language is recognized and widely used. And while it is still four years away, I look forward to attending the XVIII World Congress in Paris, France come 2019.

I left Istanbul inspired and resolute in my commitment to make the world a better place through my work with DDW, and grateful to the World Federation

Davin Searls looks on as DDW Board member carol-lee aquiline shares ddw’s work with the wfd board. of the Deaf and the countless number of leaders, allies, and community members across the globe who are doing the same. More than ever, Margaret Mead’s famous quote rings true with me: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

For more about the World Federation of the Deaf and its events, visit www.wfdeaf.org.

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Susan and Scott Miller

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PFD president Carolyn Dagani presented at the World Federation for the Deaf conference about PFD’s work.

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vation barriers, develop a sense of identity, and connect with others who share their experience at an early age.

Renowned Filipino nationalist, Jose Rizal, whose legend is omnipresent in the Philippines, said, “While a people preserves its language, it preserves the marks of liberty.” We must preserve the marks of liberty for Deaf children throughout the world, and preserve their respective sign languages by raising them with their birthright.

As Americans, our support for the efforts of developing countries to obtain legal recognition of their rights is critical to our own growth as a nation. When other countries are close to or pass us in providing innovative solutions and services to advance Deaf people’s human rights, it serves as an impetus, motivating our own government leaders to break new ground in that field.

Finally, with many important supporters and stakeholders in the Washington, DC area, the DDW board decided to replicate our historically successful gala in the nation’s capital. Gala chair and DDW board member Alim Chandani has a wonderful, high-energy committee and a local meeting planner, Kriston Pumphrey. Encourage your friends and community to attend the gala. Information, including registration, is at www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/support/dcgala.

NOVEMBER 7TH Discovering Deaf Worlds #DDWinDC #DDWgala October 2015

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Shout-outs Special thanks to the following donors who have been ongoing generous supporters: Dr. Brian and Kyle Justice, Dr. Nancy Chin, Courtney Williams, and Elizabeth Bjerke.

Thanks to Sara Romes and Marlene Elliott for hosting 50 States Challenge workshops in your communities to help raise funds for DDW. That was a very generous thing to do!

Thanks to our monthly giving program supporters who continue to go above and beyond for this organization: Zach Handler, Brian Milburn, Stacey Miller, Barb and Tom Haschmann, Michael J. Green, Julia Silvestri, JT Reid, Marlene Elliot, Davin Searls, and David Justice.

Theresa "Techie" Christine B. Dela Torre and De La Salle College of St. Benilde: Thank you for your continued generosity of workshop and presentation space, as well as financial administration support to the USAID EXPAND program. You have helped our program run smoothly in each phase. You are appreciated!

Hands waving to our DC Gala Committee: Dr. Alim Chandani (chair), Kriston Pumphrey (coordinator), Smitha Hanumantha, Allie Rice, Andrew St. Cyr, and Sheena Stuart. This show could not go on without you!

Gratitude to the members of the 2011-2015 WFD Board, including Colin Allen, Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, Kaisa Alanne, Hasan Dikyuva, Hanne Berge Kvitvaer, Ramesh Lai Shrestha, Joseph Murray, Dmitry Rebrov, Terry Riley, José Gaspar Ramos Sanabria, and Nebjosa Vavra, as well as WFD’s staff members, Meri Hyrske-Fischer, Phillipa Sandholm, Eeva Tupi, and Nafisah Rantasalmi for their tireless efforts and their encouragement of DDW’s work.

Tanya Andrews, Sam Gibson, Courtney Williams, Cassie Lang, and Kim Kelstone: You are all too kind with your contributions to DDW. Thank you for always being there for us, oftentimes at the last minute when we need you the most!

F

UND

RAIS

ING

CallingGall OA interpreters and ASL teachers!

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Want to make a difference in Deaf communities worldwide?

Here’s how: Host a workshop in your town

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Attendees can earn CEUs!

Collect tax-exempt donations for DDW from attendees in lieu of registration fees

FUNDRAISING GOAL

50 STATE CHALLENGE F U ND

OAL GG N I R A IS

Make a difference in the world!

Challenge someone you know in another state to do the same Double your impact!

$500 - $1,000 per workshop for a total of $25,000 nationwide!

All proceeds will go to DDW’s organizational development projects in partnership with Deaf associations in developing countries.

www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/support/50-state-fundraising-challenge 8

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