Deaf Community Center to promote American Sign Language, Education, + Diversity

by 0x62b89cebc70086f132d75fb8d8a4e3f7920642a1

Should the following Tier 3: up to $5,000 USD in MANA, 3 months vesting (1 month cliff) grant in the Community category be approved?

Abstract

Creating a barrier-free environment where Deaf culture and ASL is appreciated and accessible through interactive and educational experiences. Decentraland has a perfect platform to bring together isolated individuals and communities and to allow Deaf experts to be the purveyors of their own language and culture. Creating a place where people could become immersed in a cultural experience, learn a new language, see and hear stories and histories as well as receive support and access services without barriers. Many countries still do not have disability rights legislation or recognize signed languages. This could be a truly global community.

Grant size

5,000 USD

Beneficiary address

0x62b89CEbc70086F132D75fB8D8A4E3f7920642A1

Description

Schools for the Deaf are closing as the population is small and the cost is seen as a drain for a relatively small population. Access to services is limited, many sites have moved to remote interpreting but a head-on iPad is not sufficient for a child still developing sign language who needs to see more of the signing space to be understood and to understand. ASL and Deaf culture are beautiful and need to be shared with the world while allowing people to create a community of barrier-free access to education, shopping, customer support, education, legal, mental health and physical health services and more.
Many countries, Canada included, do not have disability rights legislation and do not recognize sign language as an access and human rights issue. Deaf people sit in hospital waiting rooms without access to information, jails and are not provided with appropriate support. Receiving support, advocating and even filing grievances are loaded with barriers. A team of educators all fluent in sign language, myself, a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with masters in Deaf Education, Counselling and Science. I work within a community of people looking to share their skills and talents and struggling with barriers and access. Creating and connecting this group with those individuals with the developmental know how to build this community would change the world!

Specification

Connecting with a developer team in Decentraland to create a community space and develop the vision with appropriate technical considerations.

Personnel

Jacqueline Meeks - Certified Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Masters in Deaf Education, Masters in Counselling, Masters in Science Shanny Haider - Certified ASL instructor, Deaf native signer Michelle Dow - PhD in leadership and inclusive education specialist Other experts to be identified once project is approved.

Roadmap and milestones

Finding and vetting a developer team - 1 month Creating the initial content to provide ASL instruction and literacy support and development for both hearing and Deaf individuals at an introductory level - 2 months Creating an exhaustive list of supports, barriers and providers to be accessible from this project - 3 months.

Vote on this proposal on the Decentraland DAO