Welcome to Discovering Deaf Worlds!

Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering deaf and hard of hearing people in developing countries. DDW strives to advance the capacity of local deaf communities around the globe to meet their social, educational and employment needs. DDW achieves this through joint venture programs and partnerships with educators, employers, and non-governmental organizations.

Deaf people in developed countries enjoy opportunities and growth through language access, interpreting services, and disability rights. This environment allows them to contribute to society on par with members of the hearing community. Deaf people in developing countries, however, are not as fortunate.

For example, in China, even the most skilled deaf people are rarely hired for jobs, and many must resort to employment in the black market to survive. Deaf villagers in Nepal often have no access to education and live in complete isolation. Most deaf people in Cambodia cannot read, write, sign, speak, or otherwise communicate, and therefore lack independent living skills. In India, impoverished families often perceive deaf children as a burden and may abandon them on the streets to fend for themselves. Governments, educational systems, and the general population in many countries tend to be unaware or neglectful of these issues.

What We Do:
DDW has an ambitious three-part plan to address the difficulties facing deaf people in developing countries by:

   1. Surveying the pressing issues and services available (or not) to these communities. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, at least 80% of deaf people in developing countries worldwide have no education at all (view source). Many Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities have little to no access to the global body; therefore, it is important that we physically go out and meet them.
      >>More about DDW's Around the World Adventures.

   2. Identifying deaf and hearing individuals and/or organizations that are committed to advocating for the needs of deaf people, and building a network of nongovernmental organizations that can assist in this advocacy;
      >>More about the countries and organizations DDW has visited.

   3. Providing resources such as funding, teachers, and technology to these advocates and nongovernmental organizations, so they can impact their communities on a larger scale. Instead of starting programs from scratch, we are supporting efforts already successful within the framework of their communities.
      >>More about DDW: Creating Possibilities.

DDW also raises awareness about international Deaf/Hard of Hearing communities through films, an online newsletter, blogging, presentations and school visits. We have traveled around the world, visiting New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, Thailand, Cambodia, India and Nepal. Future trips are in planning as our organization expands.

Thank you for taking an interest in this organization. We are currently fundraising for the implementation of The STAR Initiative, a partnership program with Shuktara based in Kolkata, India. Financial contributions and encouraging words are always welcome.

We look forward to sharing our experiences with you!

Namaste,
Christy ◊ Dave ◊ Davin
The Discovering Deaf Worlds Team

last revised 5/27/09