Happy July!
June was one of the most milestone-packed months. We attended the United Nations, raised $29,000 at our Fire Island Pines fundraiser, presented our research at a national deaf interpreter conference, and published a peer-reviewed study on deaf Ecuadorians’ quality of life. Here is what we have been working on.
Attending the United Nations CRPD Sessions
This month, Dr. Lorne Farovitch, Chris, and our intern Eve attended sessions at the United Nations focused on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD is the primary international human rights instrument protecting the rights of disabled people worldwide, and GDRI’s presence at these sessions reflects our commitment to ensuring that deaf communities are represented at the highest levels of global policy-making. Engaging directly with the international disability rights community strengthens our advocacy work and deepens the connections between our research and the policies that shape deaf people’s lives.
We Raised $29,000 at Fire Island Pines
We are thrilled to share that our fundraising event at Fire Island Pines on June 12 and 13 raised $29,000. This is an extraordinary show of support from our community, and every dollar raised will go directly toward advancing deaf-led research and building the programs that help deaf communities document their needs and advocate for change.
To everyone who attended, donated, or helped spread the word — thank you. This kind of community-driven generosity is what makes our work possible.
If you were not able to join us but would still like to contribute, you can donate at any time through our website:
Presenting at DIC5 — The Deaf Interpreter Conference
Dr. Farovitch presented GDRI’s research at DIC5, the 5th Deaf Interpreter Conference, held at CSUN in June. This national conference brings together deaf interpreters, researchers, and advocates to advance the field of deaf interpreting and strengthen community knowledge and practice.
Presenting our work to an audience of deaf interpreters is an important step in making sure that the findings from our national deaf needs assessments reach the practitioners who work most closely with deaf communities every day. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this research and to learn from such a dedicated and knowledgeable community.
New Peer-Reviewed Publication: Deaf Ecuadorians’ Quality of Life
We are proud to announce that GDRI has published a new peer-reviewed article in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education. The study, led by our all-deaf research team, examines the quality of life and communication needs of deaf Ecuadorians.
The findings highlight how systemic barriers — including exclusion from education and employment, limited access to interpreters and assistive technologies, and insufficient family and institutional support — shape deaf people’s daily lives and well-being in Ecuador. The research underscores that these challenges are not products of deafness itself, but of structural and institutional failures that can and must be addressed through policy and investment.
This publication represents years of community-engaged fieldwork and is a testament to what deaf-led research can produce when given the resources and space to do so. You can read the full article here:
June reminded us how much momentum this work has built and how much more is possible with your continued support. Thank you for standing with us, investing in deaf-led research, and helping ensure that deaf communities are heard, counted, and included in decisions that shape their lives.
With gratitude,
The GDRI Team
