Image Description: Dozens of hands overlap in various handshapes and positions. All fingers are directed upward.
Illustration by Luci Gutiérrez.
"Persons with deafblindness are often excluded from decision-making processes and positions of authority, in government, the workplace, and in public life more generally."
(World Federation of the DeafBlind 2018)
The DeafBlind community is under-represented in every aspect of decision-making (World Federation of the DeafBlind 2018, 36). DeafBlind leaders know the DeafBlind community best and must be involved in decisions that affect the DeafBlind community or DeafBlind individuals for a more adequate and appropriate process of decision-making. DeafBlind education, general accessibility law, and healthcare accommodation policy could all benefit from the input of DeafBlind leaders. Currently, there is an unequal representation of DeafBlind individuals in political, professional, and social affairs. A number of DeafBlind organizations and key leaders are working to change this - will we support them?
Click on "Key Issues and Debates" in the tab above to learn more about what DeafBlind leaders are doing to advocate for their community.
Video Description: Eli Henriksen wears a black t-shirt with the words "GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY International Development M.A. Program" on the top-left of his shirt, where a shirt pocket would be. Eli explains his perspective on the current state of DeafBlind inclusion and leadership within common institutions, and introduces the content of this website.
English Transcript of the Video:
"Education. The judicial system. The workplace. Healthcare settings.
These are institutions we all interact with frequently, and the DeafBlind community is no exception. However, are their perspectives regularly included in the organizations, processes, and environments they navigate every day? After working as a deaf-blind intervener and living alongside DeafBlind students over the past several years, I realized the answer is, “no.”
Whether it’s a school board, jury selection, executive business meeting, or healthcare task force, the DeafBlind community needs to be involved in decision-making processes. Oftentimes, sighted and hearing individuals are the only ones at the table. Contained in this website you will find the key issues and debates, summaries of literature written by DeafBlind leaders, related media, and other resources to explore.
It is time to expand the narrative and add seats to the table. DeafBlind individuals are best equipped to make decisions about factors that influence their lives. Let’s make room and learn together.
Please note: If you identify as DeafBlind, I invite you to share your feedback with me on this website's "feedback" tab. As a sighted and hearing individual, I appreciate all learning opportunities and am grateful for your time."
Image Sources:
lhblind.org
habengirma.com
inverse.com
jsonline.com
Image Descriptions: In the image carousel to the left, 4 images are featured.
Image 1: A group of 22 individuals is seen in a workshop facility holding various tools and canes and smiling towards the camera. Many are wearing sunglasses or prescription glasses.
Image 2: A profile shot of Haben Girma. Their head is tilted slightly to the left of the frame. She is wearing pearl earrings and a red, laced shirt. Her dark brown hair falls on her shoulders. She is solemn and poised.
Image 3: John Lee Clark wearing a sky-blue tee shirt grins for a headshot photo. His head is tilted to his right and his short brown hair is slightly parted in the middle.
Image 4: Ruth Silver sits at a desk. She is facing the right of the frame, with her hands on a page of braille. A computer screen with various tabs opened is on her left. She is wearing a patterned magenta shirt, diamond-shaped earrings, and a bracelet on her left wrist.
Reference
World Federation of the DeafBlind. 2018. “At Risk of Exclusion from
CRPD and SDGs Implementation: Inequality and Persons with
Deafblindness.” Initial Global Report on Situation and Rights of Persons with Deafblindness: 1-61.