Developmental Evaluation Adjustment Facilities

Ubicación

Allston, MA

Beneficiario de subvención USCIS

FY2022

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Developmental Evaluation Adjustment Facilities (DEAF) has been providing immigration services and English instruction to support deaf adult immigrants since 1982. DEAF provides services in American Sign Language (ASL). However, most immigrants communicate using country of origin sign language, or none, due to language deprivation. They arrive in America without an effective bridge to learn English as a second language. Not having fluency in ASL compounds their difficulty in mastering English. This creates difficulty in communicating for both DEAF staff and the receiving community. DEAF uses visual-gestural communication, role play, and pictures to communicate without the use or knowledge of ASL. With USCIS FY 2022 funding, DEAF, in partnership with Gallaudet University’s Gesture Literacy Knowledge Studio (GLKS), will prepare deaf immigrants for naturalization/citizenship. Gallaudet University instructors will train DEAF staff on the visual gesture communication program and how to best implement it for the needs of immigrants who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or Late-Deafened. In addition to designing and developing classroom materials, DEAF will develop a series of VG/ASL vlogs on citizenship for home practice and use for assisted study.