Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) visits DLS-CSB SDEAS and Deaf Communities in the Philippines

November 20, 2013, Wednesday afternoon, it was celebration of Deaf Festival Week 2013, 11 Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) American delegates visited De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. DLS-CSB SDEAS introduced DDW and shared the successes of Deaf Lasallian-Benildean Education with hopes on further collaboration on how to develop the programs and services in Deaf education.

American delegates of DDW visited the Philippines from November 15 - December 4, 2013 as part of a U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs cooperative EMPOWER grant to strengthen disability rights.  The grant supports cross-cultural capacity building exchange projects in partnership with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, Inc. (PFD)

Dean Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez of SDEAS shares the journey of 20 years of Deaf Lasallian-Benildean Education

Director Theresa dela Torre of Center for Education Access and Development (CEAD) discusses the center's services and access for the Deaf in the model  High School Program.

Brother Dennis Magbanua, President of DLS-CSB, expounds on the role of Lasallian education and the opportunity to serve for the Deaf program.

Davin Searls, Executive Director of Discovering Deaf Worlds

Melanie Deleon-Benham, Certification and Training Coordinator, Oregon Judicial Department - Court Interpreting Services

Jamie Munro, Past President, Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Victims and Manager of Programming Operations, Harris Interactive

Julie Schafer, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Allie Rice, Youth Programs Coordinator, National Association of the Deaf

Sarah Houge, International Development Worker and Certified Deaf Interpreter and Past Regional Trainer for Deaf Human Rights and Capacity Training Project, World Federation of the Deaf

Elizabeth Jean-Baptiste, Sign Language Interpreting and Deaf Studies Program Director, University of Cincinnati

Heather Harker, Director of Consulting & Executive Transitions, Third Sector New England and Board Member of Gallaudet University

W. Scot Atkins, Organizational Development Consultant

Mackie D. Calbay, Deaf Advocacy Program Coordinator of School of Deaf Education and Applied 

Awarding the certification to Dean Maria Veronica Templo-Perez

Awarding the certification to Director Theresa dela Torre

Awarding the certification to DLS-CSB Vice Chancellor for Academics Mr. Robert Tang

Awarding the certification to Bro. Dennis Magbanua

DDW American delegates shared tokens of appreciation

Through the EMPOWER program, DDW also visited in Manila, Dumaguete City and Bohol islands including collectingd the presentations and stakeholders of Congressman Antonio Tinio, Cong. Magi Gunigundo, Philippine National Association for Sign Language Interpreter, National Council on Disability Affairs, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section in the Philippines. Moreover, DDW organized the Capacity Building Sessions and Deaf Leadership Forum hosted by PFD.

During DDW American delegates visits, they collected the data, met with Filipino delegates, advocates, community and met with different schools and organizations to discover  and have a deeper understanding of Filipino disability rights issues. DDW is working, collaborating, and contributing ideas toward improving education, employment opportunities and human-rights situations for Deaf people in the Philippines. 

DDW resolves and efforts to improve Deaf education, organizational development, advocacy, policy, community outreach, and human rights. Through Empower program, we are reminded of the common goal of DDW and PFD to move forward to a bright future.