Two De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde members recently attended the 2nd International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf. I, Mackie Calbay, Deaf Advocacy Program Coordinator representative from the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, sponsored by DLS-CSB and Raphy Domingo, Education Access for the Deaf Coordinator representative from the Center for Education Access and Development, sponsored by Pre-College of Educational Network and DLS-CSB as well, were participants in a three-day conference in Sydney, Australia from October 16-18, 2013. The theme for the conference was “Equality for Deaf People”.
Pressing issues and trends were discussed and there was a huge opportunity to meet Deaf leaders from other countries. There were various presentations, discussions and different side events. As the host country, Deaf Society of NSW, Sydney, Australia will share their own experiences from their local contexts and this is an excellent opportunity to share and discuss how to continue our important work to achieve equality for deaf people based on the international treaty – United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Pressing issues and trends were discussed and there was a huge opportunity to meet Deaf leaders from other countries. There were various presentations, discussions and different side events. As the host country, Deaf Society of NSW, Sydney, Australia will share their own experiences from their local contexts and this is an excellent opportunity to share and discuss how to continue our important work to achieve equality for deaf people based on the international treaty – United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Attendance to the WFD conference by an SDEAS representative provides the school an opportunity to push further its own education and language agenda at the same time create a worldwide network. I, as the representative, can gain insights from the presentations and exchange during the conference following Equality in Language and Linguistics Part 1 and 2, Equal Recognition of Sign Language, Advocating for Equality Part 1 and 2, Equality in Youth and Education Part 1 and 2, and Advocating through Equal Representation in Politics. More importantly, the conference will also provide the school and the college with the connection to the Deaf groups internationally.
Della Goswell and Breda Carty from Australia, presented on Deaf students - access to questions in interpreted mainstream classroom: Is "Equality" possible?
Meg Aumann and Sophie Li from Australia, presented on Hear for you: A unique mentoring program for all Deaf and hard of hearing teenagers across Australia and New Zealand
I am happy to see Dr. Liisa Kauppinen, Honorary President, World Federation of the Deaf
World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Ordinary Members Workshop, October 16, 2013
Ms. Jenny Nilsson, President, WFD Youth Section, shared the info of Youth Ordinary Member and Deaf association-youth partnerships
Dr. Markku Jokinen, WFD Honorary President, Deaf Organization-Disability Organization partnership, with attention to UNCRPD Article 24 Education
Justin Smith, who worked as Facilitator in DLS-CSB SDEAS, is now working in Cambodia
We met Philip Waters, Monitor CBM Australia Funded Projects and Colin Allen, President of
World Federation of the Deaf
Welcome Reception
Board Members of World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section
Opening Ceremony, October 17, 2013
Florjan Rojba from Albania, and Karin Hoyer (Hearing) from Finland, works on the Sign Language work Manual- A Concrete Tool for Enhancing Equality for Deaf in Developing Country Context.
Sarah Klenbort (Hearing) from Australia, shared about Deaf children without a language
Mr. Colin Allen, President of WFD, introduced the Official Conference Opening
Rag hav Bir Joshi from Nepal, shared the presentation on Equality for Deaf People
World Association of Sign Language Interpreters
Jaana Aaltonen from Finland, Board Member, Finnish Association of the Deaf, presented on how to advocate better Sign Language Legislation:
the Finnish Example.
Raphy Domingo from Philippines, Coordinator, Education Access for the Deaf, Center for Education Access and Development in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, presented the Advocacy Campaign on Filipino Sign Language.
Dr. Valery Rukhledev from President, Russian Federation of the Deaf, presented on Recognition of the Russian Sign Language is the Big step to equality of the Deaf in Russia
Joseph Murray from America, Board Member of World Federation of the Deaf, presented on Framing linguistic human rights: how to argue for sign language rights.
Side Event at the 2nd International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf
The Finnish Association of the Deaf: 25 years of Global Partnership
Asa Henningsson from Sweden, presented on Accessibility through sign language- Interpreting the UN Convention and the language ACT and learn to apply them in regional and local work.
Drisana Levitzke-Gray from Australia and Luba Douziech from Canada, presented on Frontrunners: An Internation Deaf Youth Leadership Training Program
Dr. Adam Kosa MEP from Hungray/European Union, presented on Advocating through Equal Representation in Politics - A European Union Perspective and Challenges
Hon. Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen MP from South Africa, presented her experiences advocating through Equal Representation in Politics.
Jenny Nilsson, President of WFD Youth Section, works on Disability Rights, Human Rights Watch
International Deaf Festival, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
Some topics of the presentations are supported by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s new vision and mission: the College is committed to build a just and humane society by being at the forefront of innovative education that is accessible to the poor and diversely-gifted learners and; School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies's vision is to be a leading learner-centered educational institution in Deaf education that promotes equal access to opportunities and addresses the diverse needs of its students and professionals. It develops leader-advocates who are capable and committed in making positive contributions to their communities and the nation at large; and ensures that Deaf heritage is preserved and Deaf culture is valued and nurtured.
On the return of the delegates, Raphy and I shared the contribution of learning sessions in Deaf Festival 2013, last November 20, 2013, at PEN-Multi Learning Center, CSB campus. The topics are following Inclusive Education, Equality for Deaf People, How to advocate better Sign Language Legislation: the Finnish Example and Equality in Youth and Education: "Hear for you".
Raphy learned the Inclusive Education workshop through Dr. Markku Jokinen, WFD Honorary President, Deaf Organization-Disability Organization partnership, with attention to UNCRPD Article 24 Education shared. He realized that "both bilingual and inclusive education are the same for Deaf students. Inclusive education for all is equitable and accessible!"
What I learned the most is that Leader- Advocate is very important in making people change the attitude and emphasize on inspiring and serving the deaf people and community through cutting-edge research, education, employment, advocacy, awareness and youth-leader. The Advocates saves our language and identity, it preserves worthwhile Deaf cultures, fights injustice, resolves conflict, and keeps the human rights movement active in the nation at large and around the world.
DLS-CSB SDEAS and CEAD continually advocates and creates equal access for the Filipino Deaf in the areas of education, employment, information and policy development to foster and sustain a nurturing and committed community of Deaf and hearing professionals that promotes and upholds the holistic development of students and graduates.
When you follow the dream in your heart, you're energized, inspired, and motivated.
~Dr. John F. Demartini
"Nothing About Us, Without Us."
~ UNCRPD Slogan
Article by: Mackie Calbay
Deaf Advocacy Coordinator
DLS-CSB SDEAS
Edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes
DLS-CSB SDEAS
Edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes
