We’re excited to announce the successful completion of our first full-length research deployment! Since September, our field team has been working with the Ecuadorian deaf community, traveling around the country to connect with representative populations, administering our country-wide survey, and compiling results.
A key part of GDRI’s mission involves centering the local deaf communities in the process of making change. We worked extensively with two organizations over the course of the deployment: the National Council for the Equality of Disabled People (CONADIS) and the National Federation of Deaf People of Ecuador (FENASEC) to ensure the data we gathered can be used to create lasting, positive change in the lives of deaf Ecuadorians. Our goal is to provide local deaf organizations with the tools they need, in the form of research data and training in data-based advocacy, so that THEY can work with their governments to affect the policy changes that will improve conditions for their communities. On January 17, 2025, FENASEC held a town hall and press conference, presenting initial insights from our study before members of the Ecuadorian Departments of Education, Public Health, and Labor, as well as representatives from the World Health Organization and civil society. President Rodolfo Minchalo urged officials present to maintain the momentum of our study in order to create lasting change for the Ecuadorian deaf community.
Dr. Farovitch signs an official Cooperation Agreement with Technical Secretary Edison Francisco Martínez Rivas, uniting GDRI and CONADIS in the work ahead to improve the lives of disabled Ecuadorians for the better. CONADIS is the government body in charge of disability; they will incorporate our findings into their National Agenda for the Equality of Disabled People for the coming year.
In total, more than 300 deaf Ecuadorians filled out our survey and we performed interviews with more than 100. Our analysis team worked overtime to prepare highlights for use in the FENASEC town hall, and work has now begun on the official white paper for the deployment. Stay tuned!
