Founded in 2017 in Rochester, NY, Deaf Refugee Advocacy (DRA) empowers refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants to “become independent and adjusted to life in the USA through a variety of programs and classes.” It is the only organization of its kind in America, established out of a need to fill language and social work service gaps for Deaf New Americans.

DRA provides:
• Courses in American Sign Language, English, math, and life skills
• Citizenship process support
• Social events
• Advocacy services and paperwork guidance

Because there is no existing funding, policies, or infrastructure to support Deaf New Americans as they navigate our nation’s institutions, DRA’s reach and impact are limited by the number of volunteers they can find to share their time. Deaf New Americans often engage with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and other service administration units. If the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) prioritized linguistic access for Deaf New American job seekers, funding could be allocated to DRA and other organizations for English support services to promote increased dignity and independence for Deaf New Americans.

Founded in 2020 in Rochester, NY, but with nationwide reach, World Deaf Refugee Day “lifts up Deaf refugees through leadership, educational, and social opportunities by raising awareness of their diverse resettlement experiences.” June 2021 was the inaugural World Deaf Refugee Day conference, held in Lancaster, PA, where approximately 125 Deaf New Americans with origins from dozens of countries were in attendance. Planning is underway for World Deaf Refugee Day in 2023 by the Global Deaf Refugee Network (GDRN).

WDRD / GDRN provides:
• Weekly courses on Zoom related to American Sign Language, English, and life skills in the U.S.
• Leadership and advocacy opportunities for Deaf New Americans
• Cultural exchange and education forums

VR counselors could consider referring their clients to this conference for networking and social enrichment. When Deaf New Americans can gather, they are encouraged and reenergized by meeting others with shared experiences. Service providers are also invited to this conference, where they can witness the interests, skills, hopes, and dreams of Deaf New Americans first-hand. This event provides extra context on why English and ASL literacy education is crucial for Deaf New Americans to achieve career and independence goals.

Formally established in 2010 in West Chester, PA, but with work dating back to 1991, DeafCAN! provides “a range of community supports to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind and Late-Deafened people in need, especially the most vulnerable, who are often very reluctant to go to others for help because of communication barriers.”

DeafCAN! provides:
• Case management services
• Weekly classes for refugees and immigrants
• Prison outreach and literacy efforts
• Interpreting services
• SSP training seminars

DeafCAN! encourages and supports Deaf New Americans to get their Deaf interpreter certifications, but it’s often a lack of English literacy that prevents them from achieving this goal. These Deaf New Americans are focused on providing for their families, which often means prioritizing shift work at big-box retailers instead of reserving time to invest in their personal education. However, if Deaf New Americans are able to get the literacy education they need, they will be able to facilitate a smoother transition for future arrivals and obtain more sustainable jobs to support their families. VR counselors have the power and resources to significantly impact this.

Formally established in 2021 in Syracuse, NY, but with work dating back to 2012, Deaf New Americans Advocacy’s mission is to “provide a safe space for Deaf New Americans to develop education, leadership and life skills without limitation in a way that honors their culture and traditions.” The organization works to accommodate the needs of Deaf New Americans in a way where they can create their own barrier-free future.

Deaf New Americans Advocacy provides:
• Interpretation services
• Cultural mediation
• Connection and compensation advocacy access for community resources
• Community basic education

As VR counselors determine what resources to leverage for their clients, consulting with this Deaf New American-led organization could be a great place to start. Deaf New Americans Advocacy would be invaluable consultants for new U.S. policy development to serve Deaf New Americans better everywhere. This organization abides by the “nothing about us without us” mantra. As VR counselors determine what resources to leverage for their clients, consulting with this Deaf New American-led organization could be a great place to start. Founded by Monu Chhetri, a Deaf New American, she experienced the isolation faced by many other Deaf New Americans, making it her personal mission to invite them into a community. Her organization would be invaluable consultants for new U.S. policy development to better serve Deaf New Americans everywhere.