What We Do
At the Global Deaf Research Institute (GDRI), our work is driven by one core principle: We CARE—Consultation, Assessment, Research, and Education.
Whether we’re partnering with organizations, assessing needs, conducting groundbreaking research, or educating and advocating for change, our approach ensures that deaf voices lead the way in shaping policies and solutions that impact their lives.
Empowering Research & Advocacy Through Partnerships
We partner with non-profit organizations, corporations or academic institutions to provide expert support in research design, data analysis, and project deployment. Our team offers consulting, project and report reviews, data cleaning, and writing services to ensure high-quality, impactful research.
Example of Impact
- We have supported multiple initiatives to improve diabetes care for deaf communities, including co-developing ASL diabetes interpreter training programs, conducting and advising on diabetes-related research studies, consulting on the creation of an ASL-accessible diabetes education website, and contributing to community-driven intervention development. Additionally, we supported the University of Utah Health documentary Language of Care, which premiered at Sundance 2023. The film highlights how deaf patients are collaborating with researchers to co-design diabetes care, bridging linguistic and cultural gaps to advance health equity and access for underserved populations.
Contact us to collaborate on grant writing and deploy impactful research projects, or for any support you need with your ongoing or future research initiatives. Together, we can secure funding, implement solutions, and drive meaningful change for the community.
Data-Driven Insights for Policy & Advocacy
We conduct comprehensive state or country-specific needs assessments to identify the unique challenges and opportunities worldwide. Our research delivers actionable insights to governments, NGOs, and local organizations, ensuring that programs and policies are both inclusive and impactful.
Beyond data collection, we cultivate lasting partnerships with local organizations by serving as a resource for research valorization. We collaborate to translate findings into meaningful action, supporting their initiatives and advocating for the policy changes necessary to enhance the quality of life for deaf individuals in their communities.
Examples of Impact:
- Nigeria: Our assessment revealed critical gaps in education and employment, the Nigerian National Association for the Deaf has leveraged GDRI’s research to propose a National Policy on Sign Language and advocate before the Nigerian National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, gaining significant traction in dismantling barriers to improve the health and quality of life of deaf people.
- Ecuador: Our research revealed critical challenges for the disabled community, including a shortage of qualified interpreters, high poverty rates among deaf people, and limited resources in underserved areas; these findings have since been presented to Ecuador’s Ministry of Public Health and the National Council for the Equality of Disabled People, and are now being integrated into United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities compliance report to advance disability rights nationwide.
Reach out to us if you’re interested in conducting a needs assessment to drive policy change and enhance services and resources for your community. Together, we can create a meaningful, lasting impact.
Data-Driven Research for Global Impact
We specialize in deploying both qualitative and quantitative research methods to capture the full spectrum of deaf experiences. Our approach ensures that data is both statistically robust and deeply human-centered, providing a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand.
Impact Stories
- Climate change and conflicts are worsening global water and food insecurity, especially in developing nations. Deaf and disabled communities, already marginalized, face heightened challenges. Our study surveyed 150 deaf Nigerians, finding that physical health-linked quality of life correlates with clean water and food access. These struggles are compounded by systemic barriers like limited education and employment opportunities.
- Our preliminary data from the qualitative research in Ecuador suggested that deaf queer individuals face systemic healthcare barriers, including communication gaps, discrimination, and limited access to culturally competent interpreters, leading to misdiagnoses, delayed care, and low health literacy—highlighting the urgent need for intersectional, accessible, and inclusive healthcare solutions worldwide.
Contact us to collaborate on grant writing and deploy impactful research projects. Together, we can secure funding, implement solutions, and drive meaningful change for the community.
Educating Stakeholders, Advocating for Change
Our team of experts is available for invited talks, workshops, presentations, and webinars to share insights, best practices, and research findings with diverse audiences. We aim to educate, inspire, and foster collaboration within the global deaf community and beyond.
Examples of Impact:
- We were invited to the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Disability Conference to present our findings from our research on the systematic barriers and basic human rights challenges faced by deaf communities in Ecuador. Our goal was to share this data to support informed advocacy and drive meaningful policy change across the region.
- We trained members of the Deaf community in Nigeria on data collection, analysis, and interpretation for their needs assessment, empowering local associations to leverage data in advocating for greater community support.
Invite us to share insights through talks, workshops, presentations, panels, or webinars to educate, inspire, and drive policy reform for deaf communities. Together, we can amplify research findings, foster collaboration, and advocate for meaningful change on a global scale.
