Warm greetings!
February was a month of meaningful progress across research, global collaboration, and advocacy. Thanks to your continued support, Global Deaf Research Institute continues to strengthen the role of deaf led research in shaping policy, improving services, and advancing accessibility worldwide. Here are some highlights from our work in February.
Advancing Open Data for Deaf Research
This month we established a public data repository with Harvard Dataverse to make our research data openly accessible. Open access to data allows advocates, policymakers, and researchers to better understand deaf people’s quality of life and make informed decisions about services, budgets, and policy priorities. By making our datasets available, we are strengthening the evidence base that communities can use to advocate for change.
Expanding Global Disability Collaboration
GDRI joined the Living Inclusion Network, an international network focused on applying disability inclusion within development cooperation projects. Through this network we are connecting with global partners to share knowledge, collaborate on inclusive initiatives, and strengthen international cooperation focused on improving the lives of disabled communities, including deaf people.
Engaging the Next Generation of Researchers
Dr. Lorne Farovitch presented to three classes at Gallaudet University, sharing findings from our research in Nigeria and Ecuador. These discussions focused on the importance of documenting deaf people’s lived experiences and converting that knowledge into evidence based advocacy tools. Engaging students and emerging scholars is essential to building the next generation of deaf researchers and advocates.
Strengthening Research and Funding Partnerships
February also included several important conversations with potential partners and supporters. We began developing relationships with leaders at JP Morgan to explore ways to make their workforce more accessible to deaf professionals. These discussions may also lead to sponsorship opportunities for future GDRI initiatives.
At the same time, we continued strengthening our donor program and cultivating relationships with supporters who believe in the power of deaf led research to create lasting change.
Research Milestones and Program Development
We finalized a qualitative research manuscript based on data from the Ecuador National Deaf Needs Assessment. This work will contribute to advocacy efforts focused on improving deaf people’s quality of life through evidence based policy discussions.
We also began developing partnerships in Canada to support a potential Canada Deaf National Needs Assessment. Establishing relationships with deaf serving organizations in Canada will help ensure this work is community driven from the beginning.
Advancing Intersectional Research Methods
GDRI participated in a panel hosted by the Collaborative on Citizen Data focused on applying intersectionality in research and policy design. Using the Ecuador national needs assessment as a case study, we shared how our research approach integrates systems analysis, community consultation, and accessible mixed methods to better understand barriers facing deaf communities. This conversation emphasized the importance of designing policies that address systemic exclusion rather than focusing only on individual identities.
Advocacy for Deaf Communities
In February we also continued building advocacy partnerships focused on protecting deaf people’s rights. We met with advocates working to support deaf individuals impacted by ICE enforcement in the United States. These discussions focused on providing documented interviews that can help strengthen legal cases and highlight the experiences of deaf individuals navigating immigration enforcement.
We also met with a deafblind researcher to discuss potential research documenting the basic needs of deafblind people in Vietnam, exploring ways that GDRI research frameworks could support this important work.
Global Policy Engagement
GDRI participated in discussions with the World Health Organization Disability Health Equity initiative. These conversations focused on strengthening disability data and addressing avoidable health gaps experienced by disabled communities worldwide.
We also received confirmation from the United Nations Statistics Division that GDRI’s contributions helped inform the development of new guidelines focused on making household surveys more accessible for disabled people. This work helps ensure that national data systems better reflect the realities of disabled communities and guide more equitable policy decisions.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the coming months, we will continue expanding research collaborations, strengthening global partnerships, and building the evidence needed to improve deaf people’s quality of life worldwide.
Your support makes this work possible. Thank you for standing with us and helping ensure that deaf voices are heard, documented, and included in decisions that shape our communities.
I am writing to see if you would consider a recurring gift like $5 a month, which you can set up automatically on our donation platform. Sustained, predictable support gives us the stability to plan ahead, say yes to opportunities as they emerge, and keep this work moving steadily forward.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can ensure that research about deaf communities is led by deaf people and that the evidence produced is strong enough to drive lasting change.
We are grateful to be doing this work alongside you.
Dr. Lorne Farovitch
Founder and Executive Director
Global Deaf Research Institute
