www.discoveringdeafworlds.org

July 2014Volume 7, IsSue 4

Discovering Deaf Worlds and Philippine Federation of the Deaf MEMBERS participated in a Financial Management training, led by cpa Sally Atkins (center, in purple shirt), in manila.

DDW July 20142

Board MembersPresidentHarold Mowl, Jr., Ph.D. Vice PresidentJames DeCaro, Ph.D.

TreasurerBryan Hensel

SecretaryStacey Miller

Donalda Ammons, Ph.D.Carol-lee AquilineMencie HairstonMarty HillerKhadijat Rashid, Ph.D.Michael Schwartz, Ph.D.Denise Thew, Ph.D.Madan Vasishta, Ph.D.

StaffExecutive DirectorDavin Searls

International Programs Director and Co-FounderDavid Justice

Newsletter ServicesT.S. Writing Serviceswww.tswriting.com

About DDWDiscovering Deaf Worlds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the self-determination of signing Deaf com-munities through local capacity building in developing countries.

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

Bernard Bragg Retires from DDW Board of Directors

On April 19, Bernard Bragg completed his three-year term with the DDW Board of Directors. Bernard has been a tremen-dous support to DDW since its earliest days when DDW was still assessing its direction. As an active board member, Bernard helped steer DDW down its cur-rent path to provide capacity building and organizational development training in partnership with Deaf associations in developing countries.

An accomplished actor, director, play-wright, lecturer, and published author, Bernard has trekked around the globe for 50 years, beginning in 1956 when he was invited to study with Marcel Marceau. In the 1960s, he played an instrumental role in the formative years of the National Theatre of the Deaf as a leading actor, ad-ministrator, and sign master. Among his

many national and international awards, Bernard was awarded an honor-ary doctorate from Gallaudet University in recognition of his extraordinary service to deaf people of the world in theatre, education and communica-tion. He also received a special lifetime achievement award from the World Federation of the Deaf for his global leadership in theatre arts. More about Bernard can be seen at www.bernardbragg.com.

Please join us in thanking Bernard for his service, encouragement, gen-erosity, and guidance over the past several years. While we will miss his service as a board member, we are grateful for his ongoing support as DDW continues to grow. Thank you for all that you do Bernard!

Shilpa Hanumantha, Scot Atkins, Shane Feldman, Sally Atkins, and Mencie Hairston: Thank you for your tremendous contributions to DDW and the PFD through your service as program specialists. We are off to a great start thanks to you all!Marianne G. Quebral: Your fund development presentation during the EXPAND program blew us away! Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and wisdom with our delegation.Normita and George Villaruz: It is a true honor to have your support and guidance to improve financial management practices for both the PFD and DDW. Thank you.Jennifer Cilip, Baby Ruth Evelina C. Reyes, Sheena Stuart: Your service has been extremely valuable to the USAID-funded EXPAND Program and we’re so grateful to have you on board.Raja and Poorna: Special thanks to you for your hospitality to our visiting Board members. You’ve been such great friends to so many of us at DDW over the years!

Shout-Outs

July 2014 DDW 3

By Shane Feldman

“Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.”

- John Adams

The Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) Sus-tainability Sub-Committee (SSC), currently partnering with DDW, is comprised of an outstanding, brilliant, and committed group of Filipinos from a variety of backgrounds and islands. I had the good fortune to meet the group in May 2013 at the Registry of Inter-preters for the Deaf (RID) office, where I serve as the RID executive director. During the visit, which was part of the Department of State EMPOWER program, PFD-SSC members met the RID staff and learned about our programs and services, including our advocacy, certification, ethics, and professional development.

DDW Executive Director Davin Searls invited me to visit the Philippines to provide organizational de-velopment training focused on strategic planning through the USAID-funded EXPAND Program. With this training, PFD could then build capacity to support its ambitious mission. Understanding that we were two white American men visiting another country to provide training, our first task was to openly discuss our inherent biases with PFD, and include them in the training plans. Per DDW’s approach to international development, we worked as equal partners, ensur-ing that we respected Filipino cultural norms and fol-lowed PFD’s lead in how to modify new information to fit their needs.

The PFD-SSC members were truly seeds that sim-ply needed water (in this case, information) to initi-ate their growth. Without doubt, PFD will become a transformative organization that leads and develops programs to advance the linguistic and human rights of Deaf Filipinos.

PFD-SSC taught us that the American Deaf com-munity could learn much from the Filipino Deaf com-munity. For example, I learned how to become a

better trainer. Several key concepts were instilled in me, such as the awesome power of providing exam-ples and analogies to help illustrate complex, abstract concepts. Furthermore, drawing visual depictions of concepts is an underrated tool: When we abandoned the comfortable confines of the refrigerated class-rooms at De La Salle College for the open-air comfort of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Quezon City, we uti-lized visual imagery via a whiteboard to successfully demonstrate the connection between a mission, vi-sion, and strategic plan.

Throughout the training, it was clear that the PFD-SSC took ownership of Filipino Sign Language (FSL). For instance, unique sign names have been created for organization or government agency acronyms. On the second day of training, after recognizing several names as difficult to follow, PFD-SSC halted dialogue and reached a consensus on sign names for US-AID, the Department of State, and PFD-SSC before proceeding.

The PFD-SSC also took every feasible step to en-sure that all individuals were fully engaged regardless of skills and abilities. When written communication was a challenge, the PFD-SSC members immediately organized into groups to translate information into FSL.

The strategic planning training challenged PFD-SSC to explore fundamental questions such as why they exist, who they serve, and their purpose. This profound dialogue reinforced the importance of a new mission and vision, set for vote at the PFD gen-eral assembly next year in Mindanao. The group was led through a preliminary SWOT analysis of PFD, a goal-setting process for their four-year strategic plan, assessment of PFD’s purposes and roles, creation of accountable systems for the board and committees,

Shane Feldman and EXPAND project coordinator yvette apurado-B. pose in their “deaf pride” t-shirts.

Cultivating Inspiration WithinEmpowering Filipinos with Knowledge to Overcome Oppression

DDW July 20144

and a look into the intricacies of effective association bylaws. At the end of the training, PFD-SSC designed a basic strategic plan framework, created an orga-nizational chart, and hosted a mock strategic plan-ning workshop in preparation for training community leaders.

Among the most insightful discoveries was the mo-ment I realized that PFD’s most significant challenges included access to information and access to each other. Through DDW, PFD has gained this access; however, the true value of the program was bring-ing together remarkable individuals who were led through a guided dialogue to make critical decisions for the association. The training led us all to recognize that the PFD board had to meet in person in order to

move the association forward. Organizations in the United States take for granted what Filipinos strug-gle to attain: regular face-to-face meetings, espe-cially when board members are spread across more than 7,000 islands and must communicate with con-stituents within their provinces.

While the entire experience of meeting Deaf Filipinos, visiting Manila, and the capacity-building training were memorable, none left as lasting of an impact as the personal stories and dreams the par-ticipants shared. Of utmost importance was DDW’s unwavering commitment to upholding the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) policy on “Work Done

by Member Organisations in Developing Countries” and adopting Edgar Schein’s “Process Consultation” model. DDW has set the bar as a model association for others to emulate in their pursuit of empowering Deaf people in developing countries.

Our training session overlapped with a Deaf lead-ership summit, “Inspire Change, Be Extraordinary,” at the De La Salle College at Saint Benilde. The summit was led by the vivacious Mackie Calbay, who galva-nized the full house of students and Deaf community members by facilitating a series of inspiring and uplift-ing presentations given by PFD and its leaders.

WFD President Colin Allen provided two presen-tations, sharing his personal story and focusing on

On April 2, 2014 Discovering Deaf Worlds became an International Member of the World Federation of the Deaf. DDW is the first non-

governmental organization to attain such membership.

Thanks for believing in us, WFD! We look forward to future collaborations that pave the way for a brighter and more accessible

world for Deaf people worldwide!

Program Specialist Shane Feldman leads a discussion on organizational accountability systems.

July 2014 DDW 5

the rights of Deaf people worldwide. Allen de-scribed the importance of advocating for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which cements a national gov-ernment’s commitment to defending and promoting the native sign languages of the country’s Deaf citi-zens. Both DDW and PFD incorporate CRPD prin-ciples into their work.

The event presented a great opportunity to meet aspiring Filipino students and leaders. PFD President Rey A. Lee was adorned in full Philippine formal attire while graciously perform-ing his duties.

While my visit predominantly focused on the train-ing, PFD-SSC also shared many sites, culture, and tra-ditions during our free time. Manila’s cultural tapestry is rich, weaving Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and other cultures in a bustling city. The staple Filipino food of seafood in adobo was simply delicious, although they eschewed any semblance of spicy (which the Deaf Fili-pinos often reminded me was too much for them to handle). On the first day of training, I asked the Filipi-nos to allow me to try everything possible within the short time I was there and they threw all sorts of fruits from mangosteens to durian as well as delicacies such

as bananaques from street vendors to sisig. I am eternally grateful that on the last day, the group found a balut (boiled fertilized duck egg) street vendor so I could end the jour-ney with a true Fili-pino food test.

I want to thank the PFD-SSC, De La Salle College of St. Benilde, the beau-tiful community

members I met, and most importantly my outstand-ing travel buddy and cultural/linguistic mediator, Da-vin Searls, for teaching me about the important work that Deaf Filipinos do. My respect and admiration for DDW grew by leaps and bounds throughout the en-tire program.

This experience has inspired me to re-commit my-self to furthering the rights of Deaf people worldwide so we can, together, take steps toward incremental, but steady gains. As Deaf people, our common expe-rience of oppression of our rights is the tie that binds us. The proliferation of knowledge is the antidote to oppression.

More information can be found at www.discovering-deafworlds.org/programs/usaid-expand-program.

 

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The PFD team conducted an exercise focused on identifying pfd’s organizational values.

DDW Breaks All-Time Fundraising Goal at 4th Annual Benefit!

DDW’S 4th annual benefit last april raised over $31,000.

Over 450 people purchased tickets for DDW’s 4th Annual Benefit on April 18, making this event DDW’s most successful fundraiser ever. Over $31,000 was raised, which DDW will utilize to sup-plement the capacity-building program with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, also funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. This program has a powerful impact in a country where the majority of Deaf people are currently unemployed, and more than 60% do not have access to education.

DDW President Harold Mowl, Ph.D., delivered DDW’s 2013 Patron of the Year Award to Michael J. Rizzolo, Interpretek President and CEO, whose outstanding support has allowed DDW’s pro-grams to excel and provide opportunities for the local community to engage in DDW’s work. New York State Senator Ted O’Brien also delivered a heartfelt testament to the exceptional services provided by both Interpretek and DDW.

Entertainment was provided by Rochester-based and internationally renowned reggae ballet company FuturPointe Dance, while guests min-gled and enjoyed a selection of hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from Mario’s Restaurant.

Continued on next page

An Update: USAID Phase III Begins in Fall 2014

DDW is gearing up for Phase III of the USAID-funded EXPAND program, taking place this Octo-ber. As the third of five capacity-building training phases with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD), this segment of the program will focus on organizational governance and disability law. DDW is honored to have National Association of the Deaf (NAD) CEO Howard Rosenblum and Third Sector New England Director of Programs Heather Harker, who is also the incoming chair of the Gal-laudet University Board of Directors, join as pro-gram specialists for this phase.

Both Howard and Heather have worked with our partners at PFD through DDW’s EMPOWER program, a cross-cultural capacity building ex-change program funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs from September 2012 to May 2014. Howard host-ed 10 Filipino delegates and a Filipino interpreter on a visit to NAD to learn about its infrastructure, legalities, and advocacy efforts. The Filipino par-ticipants reference this as one of the main high-

lights of their three-week stay in the United States. Heather joined DDW’s team on a three-week trip to the Philippines last fall (see December 2013 is-sue), where her organizational development and process consultation expertise added exceptional value to DDW’s collaborations with PFD and PFD’s member and affiliate organizations. Everyone at DDW and PFD is thrilled to work with both Howard and Heather once again!

During Phase III of the EXPAND program, our training will focus on topics such as leadership suc-cession, board development and management, conflict resolution, and application of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to current issues facing the Filipino Deaf community. The ultimate goal is to continue supporting PFD’s efforts to become a long-lasting sustainable Deaf advocacy organization with na-tion-wide impact throughout the Philippines.

Stay updated by visiting www.facebook.com/DiscoveringDeafWorlds.

Howard Rosenblum (top center) met with PFD in May 2013 during a Tour of NAD.

Continued from previous pageOver $5,000 in door prizes and gift baskets were given away, with Rochester residents Vicki Liggeria

and Carrie Fisher winning the “Best of Rochester” grand prize. In addition, DDW Interpreter Coordinator Kim Kelstone was given a certificate of appreciation for her exceptional service and commitment since DDW’s inception. World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) President Colin Allen stopped by to share a few words of support for DDW, which recently became the first international member of the WFD.

This event was sponsored by RIT Center on Access Technology, Wegmans, Gallaudet University, Uni-versity of Rochester American Sign Language Study Abroad Program, deafReview, New York Relay Ser-vice, RIT National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Nixon Peabody LLP, AllOut Marketing, 480 Print LLC, and many more.

heather harker visited the philippines with ddw and pfd in november 2013.

DDW July 20148

   

Special Thanks to Those Who Gave a Little Extra at DDW’s Fourth Annual Benefit!

Elizabeth Bjerke Chris Brucker

Gerard & Judy Buckley Lee R. Cokely

Don & Deb Culeton David Culeton

Wendy Dannels Jim & Pat DeCaro

Kathy Dollinger-Meyer & Gary Meyer Ken & Lynn Finton

Ken Ford Michael & Barbara Green

Matt Hacket

Creative Correspondence Centre, Inc.

Heather Harker & Jackie Woodside Will Hayes

Marty & Karen Hiller Mindy J. Hopper

Mark & Heather Emerson Jeremy Alex Jones

Aaron & Kim Kelstone Christine & Dan Kretchmer Raja & Poorna Kushalnagar

Jason Listman Deborah Makowski

Parinay Malik Jeff Mansfield

Occam Capital Management, LLC Sorenson Communications, Inc.

David Mayer & Connor J. O’Brien David McCloskey William Mills James Munro & Adrianna Smart Keri & Nick Ogrizovich Tom Rankin Julie Anne Schafer JMatt & Susan C. Searls Caleb Shulman Ruth & Jimmy Stern Tommie Sarchet Jim & Norma Tourangeau Madan Vasishta Sign Language Connection, Inc.

Searls and Mowl Receive NAD Awards at Conference

DDW President Harold Mowl (Left) and Executive director Davin Searls

with their nad awards.

Over 1,500 people attend-ed the 52nd bi-ennial National Association of the Deaf (NAD) conference in Atlanta earlier this month. The conference cel-ebrated NAD’s milestones over the past two years, including

a successful captioning lawsuit against Netflix and ob-taining commercial driver licenses for over 100 deaf and hard of hearing truckers. Also celebrated was the 50th anniversary of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), which hosted its Region II conference dur-ing the NAD conference.

A variety of workshops were presented, from bi-

lingualism to economics to mental health to social justice. Once again, a popular event was the College Bowl, narrowly won by the RIT/NTID team. This year’s conference also featured the first ever Youth Ambas-sador Program competition, which replaces the Miss Deaf America competition, allowing both female and male participants. The two Youth Ambassadors will work with the NAD to implement a strategic plan ad-dressing a social issue within the Deaf community, as well represent the NAD at community events.

DDW president Harold Mowl, Ph.D., received the-NAD’s Andrew J. Foster Teaching Excellence Award for his dedication to promoting and constantly el-evating the quality of education for deaf and hard of hearing students. DDW executive director Davin Searls received the Randall McLelland Award, given to individuals who have provided inspirational and empowering work on behalf of our community. Con-gratulations, Harold and Davin!

DDW is a proud organizational affiliate of NAD. For more information, visit www.nad.org.

DDW is fortunate to have an eclec-tic group of board members from across the country, and it has been our tradition to host an all-day meet-ing after our annual benefit. On April 19, DDW board members and staff met to discuss goals for 2014-2015, as well as initial plans for developing the 2015-2018 strategic plan.

DDW has been afforded great op-portunities, through the U.S. Depart-ment of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (US-AID) to carry out DDW’s mission of advancing the self-determination of signing Deaf communities through local capacity-building in developing countries. Grant opportunities like this allow DDW to further its commitment in the Philippines and other countries for additional collaborations.

Thanks go to DDW friends, family, colleagues, sponsors, and mentors who have helped lay the founda-tion for DDW. DDW would not be what it is today without your help. DDW’s annual report will be available online soon. Stay tuned for more information!

To learn more about DDW’s Board of Directors, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/about/whoweare/board.

DDW 2014 Annual Board Meeting:

Onward and Upward!

 

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July 2014 DDW 9

DDW board members and staff meet at the recent annual board meeting, held last April.

DDW Water Bottles - $20Order yours today!

By Check to Discovering Deaf Worlds, PO Box 10063, Rochester NY 14610

Online at www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/donation

DDW’S 2013 PATRON OF THE YEAR

 

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DDW’S 2013 PATRON OF THE YEAR