Our goal is to raise $5,000.00. Mr. Ridloff is donating his time and talent, which normally is quiet costly. Deaf Empowerment Abroad Foundation is providing Airfare, transportation, accommodations and meals. We are also giving merchandise to all the youth such as; Deaf Pride backpacks with school supplies and a T-shirt.

The Jamaican Deaf population has suffered years of oppression. A large community of 7500 plus still discriminated and ostracized everyday. Regardless of the 2014 Jamaican Disabilities act, the government does not recognize Jamaican Sign Language. The 14 Deaf schools are  taught by hearing  teachers who are not required to know any Sign Language or obtain Deaf Education training, and  interpreting services are not an option.

As a cultural and linguistic minority, the Jamaican Deaf community is unique. The Chinese, the Burmese, and other small communities on the island learn their language, culture, norms, and values from their families. But this isn’t true for most Deaf Jamaicans. After all deafness tends to be one generation thick; a person with a significant level of deafness will usually have hearing parents, and their children tend to be hearing as well.

What does this mean for the Deaf child? Well, there are quite a few things to consider.

Like any child, a Deaf child loves and idolises his or her parents. If their parents spend money for hearing aids, the Deaf child will try it. I want to be like Mummy and Daddy.

It doesn’t always work, though. It’s annoying hearing all these new and strange sounds. Plus, it doesn’t make them hear everything, doesn’t ‘fix’ them. I don’t want this anymore.

Language, It’s the highway that culture travels through. And yet many Deaf children in Jamaica get little exposure to accessible language in their earliest years. Then, once they do happen to attain this, they truly begin to form their own sense of identity.

I’m not like my parents. Or siblings. Or cousins. Or neighbours… They use their mouth. I use my body. I sign. Like my friends at school.

Where do I belong…? At home, I don’t understand anyone, but it is still home. With my Deaf friends, I can be free to learn, and laugh, and be… me.

Leaving the question, “Who am I?!”

The need for self-acceptance and cultural identity has suffered for decades upon decades! Through our camp, “ I. A.M. Deaf Pride” we are working with the Deaf students by Inspiring, Affirming, and Motivating the youth to embrace their  Deaf culture, community and learn how to self-advocate.

The camp is 4 hours and will visit 3 campuses during the week of March 10 -17, 2018. Camp gives  opportunity for the youth to interact and engage with successful International Deaf role models.

Activities designed for self-evaluation, and self-discovery. Providing opportunities to be shown “Deaf Can “ and remove the stigma, “ Deaf and Dumb” that Jamaica society has imposed .

A total of 250 students will be provided the camp and activities. Caribbean Christina Center for the Deaf , Kingston and Knockpatrick campus, in addition to Lister Mair Gibly High School of the Deaf in Kingston, Jamaica.

Hearing teachers of these campuses are also encouraged to attend to, better understand the culture .

Our scheduled Deaf presenter to Inspire, Affirm and Motivate the Deaf youth is , non-other than Douglas Ridloff. There is nothing more impactful then Deaf youth connecting with someone from their culture to tell and show them that they are worthy and capable. Douglas connects with his Deaf audience through expressive sign language poetry. Activities include opportunity for youth to express their identity through the use of their natural language, to promote confidence and self-awareness.

MORE ON DOUGLAS:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/meet-the-man-bringing-slam-poetry-to-the-deaf-community_us_591f43f6e4b03b485cb17c33

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