Cultivating deaf leadership and global advocates from China to the United States

Solution
US China Deaf Leadership and Advocacy Project
Country of Implementation
United States of America
Start Year
2016
First published
03.12.2023

CIDAD at St. Cloud State University, U.S.: Graduate leadership certificate for Chinese deaf citizens. Initiatives include internships, summer camps, and advocacy videos. Plans to involve 30 interns in 15 deaf schools by 2024.

This image depicts a diverse group of individuals in an educational setting. The focus is on cultural exchange, as evidenced by the person at the front, who appears to be giving a presentation about China, as suggested by the cultural artifacts and decorations, such as traditional clothing and informational posters. The audience includes people of different ethnic backgrounds, demonstrating an inclusive environment where learning and appreciation of different cultures are encouraged. This scene promotes themes of equality and tolerance through education and cultural awareness.
At St. Cloud State University (USA), deaf Chinese students can earn a leadership certificate.

Solution details

People

Amy HEBERT KNOPF Website
“In America the SCSU Deaf Leadership Project is when my true deaf identity was discovered!” Jiaxin Mai, Chinese Sign Language teacher, Hainan Association of Sign Language, Hainan, China

The Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy (CIDAD) at St. Cloud State University, in the state of Minnesota, initiated a graduate leadership certificate for Chinese citizens who are deaf. The students teach Chinese Sign Language and culture to American deaf students, facilitate a summer camp, and produce advocacy video modules. From its 2016 inception with one student, it plans to involve 30 interns across 15 deaf schools by 2024.

Problems Targeted

In China higher education options beyond art, programming, and dance are limited, restricting the growth of leadership and role models for those who are deaf, at the same time marginalizing the community.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The project is implemented by the Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy, a hub within the public and Minnesota-based St. Cloud State University (SCSU). It is a one-year formal education project for deaf Chinese students studying in the United States. It concludes with a Graduate Certificate and is clearly intended to increase leadership and advocacy development among deaf Chinese citizens. Students attend one semester to develop deaf identity, culture, leadership, and advocacy skills. During the second semester they are placed at an American school for the deaf, where they teach Chinese Sign Language and culture to American deaf students. In the third semester the interns lead a summer camp with American deaf students in which they demonstrate mastery of their leadership and advocacy skills. Students choose a research topic and create a video module on advocacy and fundamental freedoms to bring home and to help build the capacity of knowledge and empowerment among deaf citizens in their own community. At the same time, American deaf students develop global competency skills and second language acquisition through learning about Chinese culture, history, and Chinese Sign Language.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

It project founded with partnerships in China but is expanding and open to deaf students worldwide. Primary funding for the Chinese interns had initially been through the Confucius Institute, which provided travel funds and stipends, while schools for the deaf provided housing and meals. China´s Embassy in the US is funding US students to experience a China education abroad. SCSU is also seeking scholarships from the China Scholarship Council for deaf Chinese students to enrol at SCSU. (Awardee 2024)

Media

Pictures

This image depicts a diverse group of individuals in an educational setting. The focus is on cultural exchange, as evidenced by the person at the front, who appears to be giving a presentation about China, as suggested by the cultural artifacts and decorations, such as traditional clothing and informational posters. The audience includes people of different ethnic backgrounds, demonstrating an inclusive environment where learning and appreciation of different cultures are encouraged. This scene promotes themes of equality and tolerance through education and cultural awareness. At St. Cloud State University (USA), deaf Chinese students can earn a leadership certificate.
This image depicts a diverse group of individuals in an educational setting. The focus is on cultural exchange, as evidenced by the person at the front, who appears to be giving a presentation about China, as suggested by the cultural artifacts and decorations, such as traditional clothing and informational posters. The audience includes people of different ethnic backgrounds, demonstrating an inclusive environment where learning and appreciation of different cultures are encouraged. This scene promotes themes of equality and tolerance through education and cultural awareness. At St. Cloud State University (USA), deaf Chinese students can earn a leadership certificate.

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    Amy HEBERT KNOPF

Solutions with the same:

Country of Implementation

United States of America