Deaf Visa, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Individuals who are or whose parents are immigrants, visitors, or refugees face unique challenges here in America. When these individuals are also Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind, such challenges are compounded. This includes little or no natural access to spoken languages, including English, which are primarily learned through interactions using hearing and speech; limited access to information because it is usually spoken or presented in the written form of a spoken language; vulnerability to exploitation and abuse due to communication barriers; and regular experiences being underestimated, misunderstood, and oppressed. These challenges make it difficult to establish satisfying and productive lives here in America.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Deaf Game Nights
Game Nights events provide a much needed comfortable and safe environment for Deaf visitors, immigrants, and refugees to establish networks and relationships in the community. This bi-monthly event promotes diversity and inclusion, and games are selected for educational and / or communication value. All are welcome since a diverse community is a stronger community.
Cultural Events
Cultural events such as a community-wide Thanksgiving celebration and American Sign Language Halloween Story Telling provide opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors, immigrants, and refugees to gain more access to American culture. In addition they are encouraged to educate the community about their own culture. Such cultural awareness is essential for a successfully transition to life in America and also builds as stronger community by promoting inclusion.
Public Awareness
We periodically host panels and information awareness activities for people to understand the unique situations facing Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors, immigrants, and refugees.
The Language Exchange
Every other month we hold an event to improve communication in written English, American Sign Language, and gestural communication.
Conversation Partner Program
We are looking for sponsors to help relaunch this program. ASL and Print-English conversation partners are assigned to deaf visitors, immigrants, and refugees so that they may improve their communication skills through regular practice. Periodic events provide more social interaction using both languages.
Connecting Communities
International Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind (DHH-DB) individuals may feel isolated or underestimated interacting in various social circles here in America. Such isolation inhibits culturally enriching exchanges that strengthen individuals and communities. Deaf VISA believes in the value of diversity and works to promote it with the primary goal of enhancing the inclusion of DHH-DB visitors, immigrants, and refugees. We create activities that bring diverse members of signing communities together to break down barriers and perceived limitations. Through a series of popular activities, participants engage in natural social interaction to make real and lasting connections. This program aims to bring people together and reduce misperceptions about people of different backgrounds, especially regarding DHH-DB people of international origin.
Program Components:
The Language Exchange is a program that focusses on language learning of DHH-DB people with a first language originating in another country. Key components of this program are also designed to connect communities, with a focus on the inclusion of DHH-DB visitors, immigrants and refugees in various social circles. Activities include Game Night, Conversation Partnering, Halloween Story Night, and The Thanksgiving Feast among others.
Game Night is a monthly event that provides opportunity for individuals to establish vital community connections and friendships in a diverse and upbeat environment. The games are designed to be interactive, eye-opening, inclusive, and educational.
Conversation partnering primarily focuses on language learning; however, the process allows people of different backgrounds to develop a deeper understanding of each other's culture and experiences. Partners may interact in person or online. We are currently seeking support to re-establish and enhance this activity.
Halloween Story Night is a fun cultural event attended by hearing and DHH-DB people from many backgrounds who, in addition to enjoying Deaf Story telling, also engage in group activities to learn about one another and practice ASL story-telling techniques themselves.
The Annual Thanksgiving Feast is a popular event that brings 60 to 80 people together for a day of food and fun. It is designed to build awareness about the diversity within the signing community through targeted positive interaction .
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We work to break down such barriers by maximizing the empowerment of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind individuals of international origin who are here in the U.S. Whether just starting out, or already established, our programs aim to move the goal-post on self-empowerment. We accomplish this by affirming strengths for improved self-perception, connecting communities for increased inclusion and awareness, promoting communication for enhanced language skill and articulation, and enhancing self-advocacy for a more independent and self-actualized life.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our main strategy is holistic. While our primary mission is to maximize the empowerment of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind (DHH-DB) visitors, immigrants, and refugees, we strive to ensure that all attendees benefit from and are attracted to our activities. This builds a strong and diverse network in the Baltimore / Washington DC region that international DHH-DB people can rely upon. Specifically, DHH-DB people of international origin benefit by receiving a consistent message that affirms and builds upon strengths and skills, DHH-DB Americans benefit through increased solidarity and language sharing with international DHH-DB as well as hearing people which expands the number of fluent ASL users, hearing sign language students benefit from language practice, and interpreting students benefit from broader training. We use a combination of online and face-to-face strategies including announcements, public events, private workshops, and town halls to accomplish our mission.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a network of volunteers who carry out specific action plans. Our core group includes a highly active, all-volunteer Board of Directors, an education committee, an emergency committee, a Thanksgiving planning committee, and long-term Assistants to the Board. We also have access to a network of hundreds of students and interns in American Sign Language, interpreting, and Deaf Studies courses who require service or involvement hours in order to pass their courses. These students regularly provide support in planning and carrying out our activities.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have established a diverse network to regularly participate in our activities. Our monthly game nights bring 15-25 people together for fun, educational and eye-opening activities. We have also presented at Gallaudet University, The Community College of Baltimore County, and University of Maryland Baltimore County to spread awareness on issues affecting Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind (DHH-DB) visitors, immigrants, and refugees. We have facilitated mentoring for over 20 interpreting students at our events since most interpreters do not receive training with our population, and services have been less than adequate. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests our mentoring has increased the number of interpreters who provide competent service to DHH-DB people of international origin. Upcoming plans are: re-establish a conversation partner program, interpret US Customs / Immigration documents, create accessible educational/ emergency awareness materials, and triple our target numbers.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Deaf Visa, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 09/02/2018
Luisa Ramirez Quintana
Luisa Ramirez
Laura Wickless
Zainab Alkebsi
Katherine Breen
Eugenio Mendoza