Mission

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.

Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) envisions a world that recognizes the abilities of deaf and hard of hearing persons in developing countries to acquire an education, maintain a job, raise their families, and live autonomously.  DDW seeks to serve as a catalyst for positive change in local communities around the world that will offer better educational and employment opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people. 



Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) holds the following values to be central to its mission:

• DDW focuses its resources and efforts on deaf and hard of hearing communities with the greatest need;
• Local sign languages reflect the cultures in which they are rooted and must be preserved;
• Individuals must be granted the opportunity and tools to communicate through the method most effective for them;
• All people, regardless of their social or economic background, have the capacity to succeed, and deserve accessibility to language, education and community;
• Information, awareness and education lead to understanding, freedom and opportunity;
• DDW seeks to promote the full range of human diversity in language,  and culture, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, and gender;
• DDW utilizes a collaborative approach to address issues by supporting successful programs established within local deaf and hard of hearing communities; and,
• The experience of living and working as a deaf or hard of hearing person creates a bond with other deaf and hard of hearing persons regardless of differences in culture, religion, language or ethnicity.