By Chris Medeiros | Director of Operations
Greetings GDRI community! We are thrilled to share the latest news from the Global Deaf Research Institute. As always, your support is what makes this transformative work possible. Together, we continue to advocate for and empower deaf communities around the world, building a future where deaf voices are heard, valued, and represented in global research. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission.
Recent GDRI Events: "Ecuador’s Deaf Community Takes Center Stage!"
We are excited to announce the successful completion of Deaf Community Research: Ecuador! After months of diligent data collection, we presented our preliminary findings to the National Federation of Deaf People of Ecuador, led by President Rodolfo Minchalo. President Minchalo hosted a press conference, bringing together government officials and the media to spotlight the urgent needs of Ecuador’s deaf community.
In an incredible milestone, GDRI was even featured on Ecuadorian News! As part of this achievement, we also signed an official agreement with CONADIS (National Council for the Equality of Disabled People), securing a commitment to incorporate our data into their 2025 Agenda for the Equality of Disabled People. We were sorry to say goodbye to our new friends and partners in Ecuador, but as ongoing GDRI collaborators, we look forward to working with them again in the future.
"Bringing Diabetes Health Literacy to Ecuador: A New Collaboration"
While still in Ecuador, we were joined by Michelle Litchman and Bruno Gonzales from the University of Utah. Together, we’ve been creating accessible health content about diabetes in American Sign Language (ASL), a vital effort as health literacy remains a significant barrier for deaf populations. But we didn't stop there. Given our strong ties with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health and access to a talented LSEC (Ecuadorian Sign Language) translator, we asked, why not extend these resources to Ecuador too?
We met with the Ministry to explore the possibility of adapting this health content into LSEC. Once an official agreement is reached, we’ll be moving forward with this exciting project that will improve deaf health literacy both in the US and in Ecuador. Stay tuned for updates!
"A Groundbreaking Study in Nigeria!"
We are proud to announce that our pilot deployment in Nigeria has already yielded groundbreaking results! In November 2023, GDRI conducted our pilot study of Deaf Community Research. Since then, our talented team of deaf research has already publisehd Nigeria's first-ever study on deaf Nigerians, published by deaf scientists. The paper explores the critical issue of food and water security for the deaf population in Nigeria. This research is a huge milestone, and you can read the full study here: Food and Water Security for Deaf Nigerians. This is just the beginning—our work in Nigeria is already setting the stage for further advocacy and policy change!
"Countdown to DCR: Dominican Republic!"
Our planning for Deaf Community Research: Dominican Republic (DCR:DR) is well underway, and we are excited about the next steps. This quarter, we’ve been in close discussions with CONADIS – Dominican Republic and reaching out to local deaf communities to gather vital insights. We are also actively seeking funding to ensure that our work in the DR can make a lasting impact.
Our research will focus on improving health outcomes and educational access for deaf Dominicans, and we need your help to make it happen. Every donation brings us closer to this groundbreaking work—please consider making a donation to support this project as we aim to change the lives of deaf individuals in the Dominican Republic.
"Building Bridges at the Global Disability Summit"
GDRI had the incredible opportunity to attend the Global Disability Summit in Berlin, hosted by the International Disability Association and the Government of Germany. This summit was a chance to reconnect with old friends, build new relationships, and raise awareness about GDRI’s critical work.
Conferences like this are vital for gaining recognition from large funders and expanding our global impact. We're excited for the future as more people are beginning to notice us and the work we do. Special thanks to Maria Cardoza, an amazing volunteer interpreter, who flew to Berlin to interpret for us— she's part of the dream team, and we're lucky to have her!
Looking Forward:
As we move into the next quarter, we are more energized than ever to continue our mission. With your support, we will:
Continue to push forward in the Dominican Republic.
Expand our partnerships with international organizations and governments to ensure the deaf community is represented in vital research and policy.
Further develop innovative health literacy resources for deaf populations globally.
Together, we are making a real impact.
Thank you once again for your continued support and dedication. We look forward to sharing more updates with you soon!
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
