www.discoveringdeafworlds.org

MARCH 2015Volume 8, IsSue 3

Rowella Tanjusay, a member of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf Sustainability Sub-Committee, pitches a three- week Deaf awareness program during a DDW training on program development and evaluation.

photo credit: Alim Chandani

Board MembersPresidentShane Feldman Vice PresidentKhadijat Rashid, Ph.D.

TreasurerMichael Servé

SecretaryMencie Hairston

Donalda Ammons, Ph.D.Carol-lee AquilineJim DeCaro, Ph.D.Bryan HenselMarty HillerKimberly Kurz, Ph.D.Stacey MillerHoward Mowl, Jr., 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

DDW March 20152

On Nov. 5, 2009, we received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that DDW was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Having recently celebrated DDW’s five-year mark, we would like to take a moment to reflect on some of DDW’s accomplishments as we enter the next growth phase for the organization.

In the past five years with many thanks to our partners, sponsors, fami-lies, friends, colleagues, board, staff, volunteers, and all of you who are subscribed to this newsletter, DDW has:• Secured multi-year grants from the U.S. Department of State (DOS)

and the U.S. Agency for International Aid (USAID) to provide cross-cultural capacity building programs between Deaf advocacy leaders in the United States and Philippines.

• Visited the Philippines five times through the USAID/Philippines EXPAND program (2013-2015).

— Trained over 400 Deaf Filipinos on organizational development skills including data collection, strategic planning, financial management, fund development, organizational governance, disability law, and program development and evaluation.

— Strengthened 34 Deaf advocacy organizations to operate more effectively and become more sustainable.

— Assisted over 2,000 Deaf Filipinos in 24 follow-up trainings via DDW’s “train-the-trainer” model.

— Consulted the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) on creating infrastructure and policies critical to the long-term sustainability of their organization.

• Through the Department of State EMPOWER program (2012-2014):— Engaged over 500 youth, organizational officers, community

members, government officials, and educators through capacity-building workshops, networking events, and site visits.

Celebrating 5 years as a nonprofit organization

Continued on page 10

DDW and PFD MEMBERS participate in a capacity-building training during the USAID-funded

EXPAND program last February.

www.discoveringdeafworlds.org.

March 2015 DDW 3

This month we thank four DDW board members who have concluded their service as officers of the or-ganization: President Harold Mowl, Jr., Vice President Jim DeCaro, Treasurer Bryan Hensel, and Secretary Stacey Miller. We are grateful for their six years of in-valuable dedication.

The board recently elected new officers, and I am honored and humbled to serve as president, with fel-low officers Vice President Khadijat Rashid, Treasurer Michael Servé, and Secretary Mencie Hairston.

The DDW mission addresses challenges Deaf com-munities face in developing countries by providing tools to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their organizations. I firmly believe, as does DDW, that lasting change is best achieved through system-atic change. Through DDW’s collaborative approach with organizations, these organizations are equipped with the right tools to advocate for equal access to information, communication and education.

In March 2014, I had the privilege of serving as a trainer in the Philippines as part of the USAID/EX-PAND program. It was a unique opportunity to witness the impact of DDW’s services on the organizational development of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD). My conversations with each PFD member in the core training group revealed the deep and signifi-cant impact that DDW had upon them. They shared how the training not only provided new skills, but also bolstered their confidence in their ability to lead and train others to lead. DDW makes a world of a differ-ence for the communities it serves.

We aspire to replicate this DDW training mod-el in other countries DDW is invited to, in order to strengthen organizations and build their capacities to serve their respective Deaf communities. We envision a truly international organization governed and run

by experienced, passionate individuals who hail from different countries and backgrounds. Together the wealth of their diversity can create a unique, collec-tive knowledge of organizational development from the perspective of different countries and systems.

Joe Gerstandt, a nationally-known speaker on di-versity and inclusion, said, “Decisions are a window to an organization’s values.” DDW’s values: collabora-tion with native organizations; respect for indigenous languages; belief that all Deaf people, regardless of their background, possess the capacity to succeed; and unyielding support for the U.N. and World Fed-eration of the Deaf guidelines on development ac-tivities define our unique philosophy. The incredibly talented DDW board and staff are committed to mak-ing decisions that uphold our values, and are grateful to partner with you to raise the collective rights of Deaf community throughout the world.

President’s Note: Shane H. Feldman

Incoming DDW Board President Shane Feldman poses with members Of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf

and De la Salle College of Saint Benilde.

“What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change.” – James Orbinski

DDW March 20154

PFD in motion: Defining, building, and measuring future programs

PURPOSEWhat’s next? The question posed by the Philippine Federation

of the Deaf Sustainability Sub-Committee (PFD-SSC) proved to be simple but significant.

For two weeks in February in Manila, Philippines, under the US-AID-funded EXPAND program, the PFD-SSC leaders entered the Phase IV capacity-building training and continued their leadership and advocacy work shaping their organization. Along with DDW Executive Director Davin Searls and DDW Program Director Da-vid Justice, the two of us, Program Specialists Allie Rice and Alim Chandani, created, collaborated, and facilitated a myriad of work-shops, discussions, and hands-on activities on program develop-ment and evaluation, including program budget. As reflected by countless and colorful sticky notes during the training, the experi-ence turned out to be inspiring and valuable.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTHaving a compelling vision describes where you want to go. Also, within an organization, a vision

drives positive change. During the first part of the training, we provided a series of three workshops called “Organizational Agility: Purpose and Direction.” Before the workshops, we introduced “Bago Planeta” (“New Planet” in Tagalog), a fun, two-hour activity, to the Filipino leaders. The activity con-sisted of three groups; each group focused on building its own imaginary country, choosing a name, designing a flag, and choosing a form of government. During the process, we interrupted the groups and shared different scenarios and tasks with them, and they had to come up with solutions.

This activity led the Filipino leaders to understand the important components of describing and developing a program. Using various examples, real-life stories, and quick exercises, the workshops guided the leaders through the steps of analyzing the PFD’s priorities, aligning proposed program goals with the PFD’s mission, vision, and values, and carrying out effective action plans in implement-ing future programs.

Every program has a structure. Through another activity, “Daan Mapa” (“Road Map” in Tagalog), the Filipino leaders were assigned to create two different kinds of visual road maps, designed to exam-ine key issues, desired outcomes and potential challenges of a program. It provided an opportunity for the Filipino leaders to identify detailed plans for strong and sustainable programs.

By Allie Rice and Alim Chandani

March 2015 DDW 5

PROGRAM EVALUATIONWhat is evaluation? And why do it? Both questions were asked and discussed during the second

part of the training. Two workshops focused on exploring the tools of program evaluation and understanding the importance of pro-gram impact among the PFD and the deaf and hard of hearing Filipino population, as well as the greater community.

To maintain a successful program, it is crucial to evaluate what happens within a program, seek ways to take further action, and ensure that it continues to make an impact. After completing pro-gram proposals derived from the road maps, the Filipino leaders divided into two groups and learned to develop short-term, mid-term, and long-term evaluation plans, formed different evaluation approaches such as questionnaires and focus groups, and identi-fied important elements to include in evaluation reports.

PROGRAM BUDGETAn organization has its own budget. A program also has its own

budget. Davin and David coordinated several workshops sharing important strategies to create a program budget.

In accordance with the program proposals in the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Bill and Interpreting Standards and Ethics, the Fili-pino leaders participated in an activity to develop a budget docu-ment that included both revenue and expense sections for each proposed program. Also, the leaders brainstormed a list of pro-gram-related expenses and income resources. Towards the end of this training, with some support from us, the leaders turned into trained experts on determining cost share, maintaining records on revenues and expenses, monitoring the use of funds, and analyz-ing program budget variances.

REFLECTIONSWith plenty of sticky notes,

markers, and brainstorming, the PFD-SSC made tremendous prog-ress. We were inspired on every level. The Filipino leaders taught them some FSL, shared interest-ing customs and stories about Filipino culture, and discussed a wide range of deaf-related issues in the Philippines. We focused mostly on hands-on activities, supporting the “how-to-do-it” ap-proach. The leaders felt enriched as a result of the hands-on learn-ing. Through these interactions, the bonds made it all worthwhile. We are determined that the PFD will become a stronger organiza-tion in promoting equal access for deaf and hard of hearing Filipinos, as well as maintaining the connec-tion with the greater community.

We are honored to be part of DDW during this training pro-gram, seeing firsthand the im-pact upon Filipino Deaf people. Thank you, DDW, for continuing to change the world for the better.

PHASE IV PROGRAM SPECIALISTS

Allie Rice is the National Association of the Deaf Youth Programs Coordinator.

Alim Chandani is the Student Success Specialist and adjunct faculty for General Studies at Gallaudet University.

PERFORMANCE

www.pushtheatre.org

TICKETS$50 general$40 students

hors d’oeuvres and one free cocktail included

LOCATIONHarro East Ballroom

155 North Chestnut St. Rochester, NY 14604

5th

ANNUAL BENEFIT

www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/support/annual-benefi t

FRIDAY APRIL 17, 20156:00pm – 9:00pm

 

December 2014 DDW 7

In honor of National Women’s History Month, DDW is proud to spotlight a remarkable woman who has worked with DDW since 2012, Yvette Apurado-B.

A native of Bocolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Yvette was born Deaf. Vice president of both the Philippine Sports Federa-tion of the Deaf and the Filipino Deaf Women’s Health and Crisis Center, she is also an active member of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf’s Sustainability Sub-Committee, and has served as DDW’s Filipino Program Manager for the U.S. Department of State and USAID/Philippines grants since 2012.

Yvette formerly served as a consultant on Filipino Sign Language and as an assistant researcher at the Philippine Deaf Resource Cen-ter. She is on the executive board and works as a Deaf Relay In-terpreter for the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters, is on the core team of the Philippine Coalition on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabili-ties, and is also on the Deaf Education Council.

Clearly, Yvette wears many hats and has been a strong advocate for the Deaf community. She has made great strides in furthering development, understanding, and equal treatment and opportunity for Deaf Filipinos.

Join DDW in celebrating the determination, strength, and influence of this very important woman who, in spite of all her success, remains humble and charitable. Thanks, Yvette!

National Women’s History Month: Spotlight on Yvette Apurado-B

Yvette Apurado-B. leads a discussion with DDW and PFD members.

DDW December 20148

In the Solomon Islands, there are 71 spoken languages, which can often pose a challenge for locals. “However, this has also worked to the advantage of the deaf community,” says Deaf New Zealand filmmaker Brent MacPherson, “because it is com-mon for islanders to use gestures when speaking to people from different language groups.”

MacPherson founded the New Zealand Deaf Short Film Fes-tival, and travelled around the world to watch films produced by Deaf filmmakers. He established a production company, Stretch Production, in 2007. Stretch Pro-ductions investigates, documents and celebrates diversity in all its many forms. Stretch Productions works with indi-viduals and groups of different races, nationalities, and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, and ages and genders. Perhaps more importantly, the com-pany works respectfully to “tell stories that need and want to be told.”

MacPherson’s latest project, The Forgotten Peo-ple, is about deaf people from the Solomon Islands and their unique social dynamics and language de-velopment. Stretch Productions is in the pre-pro-duction stage to film indigenous Deaf people from Papua, New Guinea, and possibly Australia, and the challenges they face to preserve their indigenous sign languages.

“Indigenous languages and traditional dances are critical to Deaf culture and identity, as well as to the traditional values and beliefs associated with their local villages,” says MacPherson. Despite the extreme poverty in the Solomon Islands, the Deaf community remains cheerful due to their abil-ity to communicate in Solomon Islands Sign Lan-guage. “Many deaf people first arrive at the village with very little language,” MacPherson continues. “but I’ve been to the Solomon Islands four times

now, and each time I visit it’s heartening to see these deaf people become students who grow and prosper by learning a new language.”

MacPherson’s goal is to bring attention to the challenges related to sign language preservation and accessibility facing Deaf people in the Pacific Islands, and share this with local government agen-cies. By raising awareness, he hopes the govern-ments of these nations will support the recruitment and training of qualified teachers for deaf students and equal access to language and culture. He also hopes to see the development of a sign language dictionary to help preserve their language.

Sign language imperialism is a very real concern that has resulted in the eradication or alteration of indigenous sign languages around the globe. DDW shares Stretch Production’s value to preserve lo-cal and indigenous sign languages, and applauds MacPherson’s pro-active approach to raise aware-ness on these issues. For more information, visit www.stretchproductions.co.nz.

Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/deaf-communities-pacific-face-language-challenges/

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Preserving indigenous sign languages in the Pacific Islands

NOEL FAARODO, A DEAF SOLOMON ISLANDER, IS IN TRADITIONAL DANCE COSTUME AS HE CHATS WITH NEW ZEALAND FILMMAKER BRENT MACPHERSON.

Mirana Medina and Crew: Thank you for the important work you do. It is our honor to have your help in creating the EXPAND documentary on PFD, DDW, and USAID. We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to work with you.

Noemi Adela M. Paminutuan-Jara and Engr. Emer Rojas: A million thanks for your time, talent, and insight during our program development and evaluation panel in Manila last February. You are appreciated!

Alim Chandani and Allie Rice: Two superstars creating one dynamic duo. It was a pleasure to work with you and learn from you during Phase IV!

Noemi and George Villaruz, Diana Ross C. Nono, and Cristina L. Villaruz: You have gone above and beyond with your leadership, guidance and mentoring

for DDW and PFD on financial management policy and bookkeeping. Thank you for all that you do.

Jose E. Sales: You have been working hard these past few months, and made tremendous progress for the Philippine Federation of the Deaf. We are all grateful for your service and commitment!

DDW’s 2015 Volunteer Event Committee (Jamie Munro, Adrianna Smart, Bill and Kim Keenan, Susan Rizzo, Scot and Sally Atkins, Brian Milburn, Sheena Stuart, Wendy Dannels, Erin Finton, Tate DeCaro, Adam Nadolski, Shannon Connell, Sarah Gordon, Kimberly Persky, Maria Nikolau, Frank Kruppenbacher, Brian Plath, Danielle Strom and Sarah McCormick): You are all amazing individuals. Thank you for making the time to support this organization. Simply put: the show could not go on without you!

Shout-outs

Don’t miss it! Purchase tickets today!www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/forms/benefit4 www.pushtheatre.org

to perform at

DDW’s 5th Annual Benefit

April 17, 2015Rochester, NY

March 2015 DDW 9

DDW March 201510

— Hosted 11 Filipinos for a three-week cross-cultural exchange, visiting over 20 institutions and meeting with over 50 profess iona ls in organ izat iona l development tools.

— Led a delegation of 11 Americans to the Philippines for three weeks to meet with government officials, Deaf advocacy organizations, and the U.S. Embassy, and facilitated seven capacity-building sessions with the PFD .

• Provided needs assessment and facilitated capacity-building sessions with the Siglo 21 Team to promote Deaf rights and accessibility in Costa Rica.

• Led three journeys for the public to Costa Rica, Thailand, and Cambodia to connect with and learn about the important work of local Deaf advocacy organizations in those countries.

• Connected with over 300 Deaf schools and advo-cacy organizations from more than 50 countries, creating one of the largest Deaf advocacy net-works in the world

• Created a film, “Discovering: Shuktara” to pro-mote the incredible work of this organization that gives children who have various disabilities and no families a second chance.— Provided training to 400 Deaf leaders in

India at the National Association of the Deaf Grassroots Leadership Conference.

— Delivered over 40 presentations and workshops, reaching thousands of participants, on the diversity of language and culture in international deaf communities, social entrepreneurship, and international development.

— Distributed 41 newsletters with stories and updates from various deaf associations and schools around the world to over 4,000 subscribers worldwide.

— Expanded fundraising base to over 1,020 unique donors, 30 sponsors, and over 1,500 attending DDW benefits.

— Hit 5,000+ Facebook followers.— Had dedicated members volunteer over

30,000 hours before establishing two full-time staff positions.

— Recruited a diverse group of 15 board members to guide the organization’s strategic plan, mission, vision and values, international program development, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Board of Directors, staff, and partners worldwide: thank you for your unconditional support, guidance, and faith in our efforts. Together, one day at a time, one individual at a time, one organization at a time, and one country at a time, we are advocating for equal access to education, employment, and society for our beloved Deaf and hard of hearing friends and col-leagues around the globe. With your support, we look forward to what new accomplishments we can attain together. Thank you for believing in us!

– Davin Searls and David Justice

Continued from page 2

DDW is sponsored by:

Celebrating 5 years