www.discoveringdeafworlds.org

JULY 2015Volume 8, IsSue 4

Philippine Federation of the Deaf’s outgoing President Rey Alfred Lee signs “support” in Filipino Sign Language.

photo credit: LIZZIE SORKIN

Board MembersPresidentShane Feldman Vice PresidentKhadijat Rashid, Ph.D.

TreasurerMichael Servé

SecretaryMencie Hairston

Donalda Ammons, Ph.D.Carol-lee AquilineAlim Chandani, Ph.D.Erin Moriarty HarrelsonBryan HenselJoseph Hill, Ph.D.Marty HillerKimberly Kurz, Ph.D.Poorna Kushalnagar, Ph.D.Stacey MillerMadan 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.

DDW July 20152

The DDW board has made tremendous prog-ress over the past months, led by dedicated volun-teers who believe in the difference DDW makes throughout the world.

Expertly guided by Heather Harker at our November 2014 board meeting, we developed a strategic plan for 2015-2018. This plan was then finalized at the April 2015 meeting with board member Marty Hiller, an experienced nonprofit consultant. The goals include:

• Create and implement a fund development and business plan.• Advance DDW programming consistent with mision and vision, and

develop international presence.• Expand board governance structure and activities.• Advance staffing capacities and compensation.• Create and implement marketing and public relations plans.• Create and expand policies and protocols assuring fiduciary

responsibility.DDW is well-positioned to achieve these ambitious goals; however, our

work isn’t possible without your support. You can help by spreading the word about DDW, volunteering and donating. Together, we can bring DDW closer toward our mission of advancing the self-determination of signing Deaf communities through local capacity-building in developing countries.

We are excited about our new board members (see page 3). They bring a wealth of knowledge and skills in the areas of international development, fundraising, program management, and research.

With our achievements to date and the conclusion of the USAID EXPAND grant, it is an opportune time to expand DDW’s network. Executive Director Davin Searls has met with key government officials and international devel-opment leaders about the importance of our work (see page 9). DDW will be at the World Federation of the Deaf Congress in Istanbul, Turkey. If you will also attend, please share our story and encourage countries to consider partnerships with us.

This fall, the DDW Gala will be held in Washington, D.C. for the first time, on Nov. 7. Board member Alim Chandani is leading this effort in close partnership with our staff, our talented volunteer graphic designer, Sheena Stuart, and meeting planner Kriston Pumphrey. We anticipate attendees to include members of the Deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf-blind, and interpreting communities, as well as government representatives who have been instru-mental in advancing DDW’s work. I look forward to seeing you there.

President’s Note: Shane H. Feldman

DDW President Shane Feldman, Ernie Hairston, DDW Executive Director Davin Searls during

a DDW networking event at the HairstonS’ home.

Welcome, New DDW Board Members!

July 2015 DDW 3

Alim Chandani, Ph.D., born in Mumbai, has worked in interna-tional development and social en-trepreneurship since 2007, when he founded and became executive director of Global Reach Out Initia-tive, Inc. (GRO), a global non-profit organization that has connected

over 1,000 deaf individuals worldwide through cross-cultural educational delegations and workshops.

Chandani obtained his doctorate in administration and supervision in special education from Gallaudet University in April 2013. His research interests include assess ing the quality of educational services for deaf students at universities in India, and facilitating op-portunities for them to gain the confidence and skills necessary for successful careers post-matriculation. Dr. Chandani is currently a Student Success Specialist co-ordinating the peer mentorship program for first-year students at Gallaudet.

He also teaches social enterpreneurship classes, mentors student initiatives and sponsors an annual stu-dent business plan competition.

Erin Moriarty Harrelson is a doctoral candidate in anthropology at American University. Her research interests include deaf people and sign language in Cambodia, hu-manitarianism, development and non-government organizations. Her dissertation focuses on the docu-

mentation of Cambodian Sign Language as a Deaf community development initiative and development projects.

In 2014, she was chosen as one of the first Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellows. She lived in and traveled throughout Cambodia document-ing deaf people’s experiences. She was also a recipi-ent of the 2014 American University Doctoral Student Research Award.

Moriarty Harrelson received a master’s degree in public anthropology from American University, a mas-ter’s degree in communication in contemporary society from Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s de-gree in art history and anthropology from Smith Col-lege. She currently works in the Ethics Office at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the National Institutes of Health. In the past, she worked in communications and fundraising for Com-munication Services for the Deaf, the American School for the Deaf, Telecommunications for the Deaf (TDI),

and Gallaudet University. She also served as a board member for Deaf Abused Women’s Network.

Joseph Hill, Ph.D., is an assis-tant professor in the specialized educational services department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was born and raised in Cincinnati with a family of deaf and hard of hearing siblings and a hard of hearing mother. He

attended public school before earning a bachelor’s de-gree in systems analysis from Miami University. He then earned a master’s degree in ASL linguistics from Gal-laudet Univeristy in 2004. In 2011, he completed his doctorate in ASL linguistics from Gallaudet University. He held various roles as a graduate student: a National Science Foundation Graduate Research fellow, a Ful-bright scholar in Italy, an adjunct linguistics instructor at Gallaudet, a summer instructor in the Siena School for Liberal Arts in Italy, and a research assistant for the Gal-laudet Research Institute and the Black ASL research team.

Dr. Hill’s research interests lie in the area of sociolin-guistics, specifically language attitudes toward signing variations in the American Deaf community in terms of language variation, ideology, and contact. He has published a book, Language Attitudes in the Ameri-can Deaf Community. Another research interest is the exploration of the social and linguistic aspects of the Black Deaf community. He co-authored The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure. He believes the history and language of the African-Amer-ican Deaf Community deserves a closer look from the

scholarly perspective.Poorna Kushalnagar, Ph.D.,

graduated from Gallaudet Univer-sity and later obtained her master’s degree in clinical psychology and doctoral degree in developmental psychology from the University of Houston. Born in India and raised in

Tennessee, Dr. Kushalnagar is currently a research fac-ulty member at the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imag-ing Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has given workshops nationally and internationally, including for the Deaf and KODA communities in In-dia. Dr. Kushalnagar has published book chapters and journal articles on a variety of topics, including health communication and health-related outcomes in deaf and hard of hearing children and adults. She serves as a board member for the Rochester School for the Deaf.

Welcome, New DDW Board Members!

DDW July 20154

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d The first day wouldn’t have been complete without a group hug! The PFD-SCC members are truly wonderful — DDW is very thankful to have the opportunity to work with thethem.

Program Specialist Debbye Byrne asks PFD-SSC members how they ask each other for support.

Rowella Tanjusay shares some input as Debbye Byrne and other participants look on.

George Lintag and Yvette Apurado-B participate in a role-playing activity.

July 2015 DDW 5

By Lizzie Sorkin and Debbye Byrne

June 2015 brought the Phil-ippine Federation of the Deaf Sustainability Sub-Committee (PFD-SSC) members to Manila, the Philippines, for Phase V training on outreach, market-ing and public relations through the USAID-funded EXPAND program. Two DDW program specialists, Debbye Byrne and Lizzie Sorkin, facilitated the training. Byrne is the interim di-rector of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf student life team, and Sorkin is the di-rector of communications at the National Association of the Deaf.

Prior to the training, both were familiar with DDW but had yet to participate in a DDW pro-gram, although Lizzie had met most of the PFD-SSC members during their trip to the United States in May 2013.

The training kicked off with a dinner at the Mall of Asia and Debbye and Lizzie immediately saw the PFD-SSC members had deep loyalty to PFD and to each other. It was evident how impor-tant PFD was to them individu-ally and collectively, and they found it powerful to witness their unwavering commitment.

Communicating effectively and efficiently requires strat-egies, short- and long-term goals, and a lot of internal sup-port. Like all the other phases, Phase V was abundant with cre-ativity and excitement among the PFD-SSC members. While it may have been the last of the EXPAND training phases, DDW knows it is only the beginning as PFD will continue to grow from here.

Participants wrap up loose ends on the last day of the training.

PFD-SSC members compare mock campaign posters.

Jet Romo rates how he feels when he approaches a specific audience, such as the media.

The group took time out to grab dinner and unwind.

PFD-SSC member Rowella Tanjusay asks Lizzie Sorkin about marketing.

 

DDW July 20156

 

July 2015 DDW 7

By Dave Justice

On Friday, April 17, DDW hosted its fifth annual benefit at the Harro East Ballroom in Rochester, N.Y. Over 300 guests sam-pled hors d’oeuvres, listened to stories of DDW’s work in the Philippines shared by DDW Executive Director Davin Searls and International Programs Director David Justice, and witnessed a breath-taking performance by PUSH Physical Theatre.

DDW’s recently-elected board president, Shane Feldman, delivered DDW’s 2014 Service Provider of the Year award to Heather Harker, Director of Consulting and Executive Transitions at Third Sector New England, and President of the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University, for her ongoing commitment to DDW’s mission and longterm sustainability. Over $6,000 in door prizes, gift baskets, and silent auction items from more than 70 local busi-nesses in Rochester were given away to guests at the end of the evening.

Thank you to all who supported this event, through your presence, your sponsorship, your donations, and your encouragement, whether from near or afar. We’re already looking forward to next year!

A BIRD’S EYE view of the FIFTH annual DDW benefit.

DDW’s event planning committee

service provider of the year heather harker with ddw’s shane feldman and davin searls.

board members khadijat rashid and donalda ammons announce the gift basket winners.

DDW hosts 5th annual benefit, raises record-breaking $37,000

DDW July 20158

Calling all interpreters and ASL teachers! Want to make a difference in Deaf communities worldwide?

50 STATE CHALLENGE

$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.

FUNDRAISING GOAL

FUNDRAISING GOAL

FUNDRAISING GOAL1

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

Make a difference in the world!

Challenge someone you know in another state to do the same

Double your impact!

Host a workshop in your town

Attendees can earn CEUs!

2

3

Here’s how:

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

July 2015 DDW 9

By Davin Searls

On June 9-11, I had the privilege of attending the eighth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabil-ities (CRPD), held at the United Nations in New York City. What an incredible experience! People from every country were in attendance, and throughout the conference I saw people writing notes in Arabic, chatting in Peruvian Sign Language, and listening to various language translations through headsets po-sitioned at every seat.

The conference theme was Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The Post-2015 Development Agenda will succeed the UN’s Millennium Develop-ment Goals (MDG) that were first established in 2000. The MDGs focused on poverty reduction, education, gender equality and empowerment of women, child and maternal health, environmental sustainability, re-ducing HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, and building a global partnership for development.

However, the MDGs failed to mention disabil-ity. Many conference presenters stated what a criti-cal oversight this was, adding that according to the World Health Organization, 15% of the world’s popu-lation, one billion, have some sort of disability, and those people are among the world’s poorest and marginalized individuals. As the UN Deputy Secre-tary-General Jan Eliasson stated during his opening remarks:

The post-2015 development agenda basically builds on the Charter of the United Nations. The

Charter was forged 70 years ago based on the time-less commitment “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person; to promote social progress and better stan-dards of life in larger freedom”. The Convention of 2006 marked a conceptual shift — from a charity and medical approach to the human rights-based view of disability...

The tragic fact is that persons with disabilities are among the most excluded and isolated in practically all regions of the world. We need urgent action to reduce exclusion, inequality and discrimination...

We must now join forces to build a rights-based post-2015 development agenda that is inclusive of and accessible to persons with disabilities and their communities. Empowering persons with disabilities and securing their rights will advance society as a whole.

While it was clear that there is still much work to be done, the passion and the gratitude of present-ers and attendees was evident. The conference has grown from 29 member states in attendance to 150. As a result, the conference has gained the neces-sary political capital to be a tool for advocacy, en-abling change in policy and legislation around the world. DDW is committed to carrying out these principles through its capacity-building partnerships with national associations of the deaf in developing countries. For more information, see www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1625.

DDW attends 8th Conference on States Parties to the United Nations CRPD

WFD President Colin Allen, DDW’s Davin Searls and other deaf representatives met with Judy Heumann, U.S. Dept. of state special advisor for international

disability rights.

Opening ceremony at the eighth Session of the conference on state parties to the uncrpd.

Special thanks to our Ally level sponsors at the DDW Annual Benefit: Rochester Chiropractic Group, Ken Mikos, Elmwood Dental, ASL Services, Inc. and Global VRS, Hands on Travel, MandT Bank, and William S. Hayes

Sarah K Wegley: We appreciate your continued support to DDW! Keep up the great writing at speakuplibrarian.blogspot.com.

Lizzie Sorkin and Debbye Byrne: Thank you for your insight, leadership, and consultation in conducting Phase V of the EXPAND program with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, which is now even stronger like a Nara tree!

Many thanks to the following for their time and hospitality when DDW's Executive Director Davin Searls went to Washington, D.C. in May: Bettilou Taylor, Asiah Mason, Shane Feldman, Pan American Development Foundation (Chris Wooley and Aaron Van Alstine), USCID (David Morrissey and Andrea Shettle),

USAID (Leah Maxson and David Jacobstein), John Lee, World Learning (Jennifer Collins-Foley, Gabriel Ortiz-Barroeta, and Luisa Angelsmith), Joe Murray, PACT (Molly Derrick, Christian Loucq, Olga Yakimakho), Department of State (Carol Herrera, Patricia Norland, Ramiro Martinez, Kathy Guernsey), Rob Rice, Koko Chino, Rosalinda Ricasa, Gemma Gabor, Alan Hurwitz, Ted Suppalla, Marcy Oppenheimer and Joe Neale, Ernie and Mencie Hairston, Kent Babson, Lisette Belanger, Heidi Burghardt, Pali Dacanay, Diana Moore, Lindsay Dunn, Thuan Nguyen Lakrik, Michael Moore, Lori Moers, John Olumoya, Arlyn Penaranda-Ekwe, Maryann Pickering, Allie Rice, Howard Rosenblum, Khadijat Rashid, Pauline Spanbauer, and Barbara White.

To everyone who provided accessibility for our Annual Benefit, you are appreciated!: Interpreting: Tanya Andrews, Sam Gibson, Chris Kelley, Kim Kelston; Captioning: RIT/NTID, Theresa Clase, Colleen Grabenstetter, Peter Reeb; Others: Hearing Loops Unlimited and Sol Productions.

Shout-outs

 

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DDW July 201510

July 2015 DDW 11

 

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