78% of Deaf Ecuadorians face difficulties with transportation. At GDRI, we are committed to push for safer and more accessible travel for all.

GDRI board member Robert Gray—a seasoned expert in Computer Science with a career that spans programming, management consulting, and large-scale project management.

I interviewed Lorne interviewing - founder and Executive Director of the @globaldeafresearch.org - about intersect between #ClimateChange, #RiskCommunication and their impact on deaf communities. Read here, by me for European Geosciences Union (EGU): blogs.egu.eu/geolog/2025/... #SciComm #DRR

"I would strengthen laws to require employers to hire disabled people, in all jobs, not just executive ones." - Deaf participant, Ecuador. 81% of Deaf Ecuadorians are dissatisfied with their work capacity.

Introducing GDRI board member, Robb Adams—a licensed attorney with a passion for helping others thrive. A member of the State Bar of California, the U.S. District Court Bar, and the American Bar Association, Robb brings legal expertise to the table with a twist.

Many Deaf Ecuadorians face challenges finding stable housing. Our research shows that 55% do not own a home, and 55% still live with their parents.

Introducing GDRI board member Joshua Josa—an Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategist with a powerful track record in disability-inclusive education. Joshua’s previous work at USAID has been instrumental in building foundations for disability inclusion and coordinating regional trainings.

Education opens doors. In Ecuador, 60% of Deaf children attend schools for the Deaf at the primary level, but this number drops to just 39% in secondary education. This gap highlights the ongoing challenges Deaf Ecuadorians face in accessing equal education.

Introducing GDRI board member, Leila Hanaumi—a marketing and branding expert with over a decade of experience working with Deaf-owned companies and organizations. Leila specializes in mission and vision consulting, helping organizations align their goals with their purpose.

We’re excited to share the results of our research trip to Ecuador! Each week, we’ll highlight a key finding about the experiences of Deaf Ecuadorians, starting today. A full report will be available in a few months, stay tuned!

Meet GDRI board member Dr. Beth Benedict—a true pioneer in early intervention with 35 years of experience. Having given over 200 presentations and authored countless publications, Dr. Benedict’s work has earned recognition on local, state, national, and international levels.

Meet GDRI’s Treasurer, Randal Pituk—entrepreneur, artist, and community builder. As the owner of Inka’s Screen Printing in Austin, TX, Randal brings over a decade of experience in the printing industry, blending craftsmanship with creativity.

Say hello to GDRI’s Vice Chair, Jack Z. Ludwig—a true change agent. As a project manager, entrepreneur, educator, and community leader, Jack somehow fits 36 hours of brilliance into a 24-hour day.

Meet GDRI board chair Dr. Emily Jo Noschese - a powerhouse in bilingual education, sign language linguistics, and deaf-centered advocacy. As an assistant professor at Wayne State University, she’s building an ASL program from the ground up and working to launch a new deaf education initiative.

GDRI joined the panel hosted by the Collaborative on Citizen Data to discuss data for intersectionality and persons with disabilities, with a focus on leveraging both citizen-generated and qualitative data.

Food insecurity and limited access to sanitation deeply affect their quality of life. GDRI is calling for urgent action to make water, food, and support services accessible for all. Learn more: bit.ly/water4nigeria

GDRI is currently advocating for deaf rights at the United Nations conference. They are working on building networks with key organizations and creating opportunities for a more inclusive future!

Mental health struggles are a reality for many Deaf Nigerians. At GDRI, we’re committed to providing the support and resources needed to promote mental well-being for all. To support us in this mission, visit our website and consider donating via www.globalgiving.org/projects/sup...

GDRI has successfully completed our first full-length research deployment in Ecuador. From September through January 2025, we partnered with FENASEC and CONADIS to collect data from over 300 deaf Ecuadorians and conduct more than 100 interviews—led by local deaf researchers and grounded in community

Many Deaf Nigerians are unable to afford the healthcare services they need. At GDRI, we’re committed to ensuring everyone has access to the care they deserve, regardless of their financial situation.

We would like to show a glimpse of how phase 2 of data collection works, it focuses on deaf individuals’ quality of life and access to services. This phase in Ecuador was led by local deaf researchers and community leaders, ensuring that the process was linguistically and culturally appropriate.

Effective communication with doctors is crucial, yet many Deaf Nigerians struggle to be understood. At GDRI, we’re committed to breaking down communication barriers and ensuring equal access to healthcare for all.

GDRI attended the First Interregional Meeting on Strengthening Preparedness for Health Emergencies and Disasters in Cities and Urban Settings, held October 15–17, 2024, in Quito, Ecuador.

Access to healthcare is a necessity, but too many Deaf Nigerians are unable to afford the services they need. At GDRI, we’re committed to making healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone.

Dr. Farovitch signs an official Cooperation Agreement with Technical Secretary Edison Francisco Martínez Rivas, uniting GDRI and CONADIS in the work ahead to improve the lives of disabled Ecuadorians for the better through the research that GDRI did. CONADIS is the government body in charge of

Access to clean water for handwashing is vital, yet many Deaf Nigerians are still without it. At GDRI, we’re committed to providing the resources needed for everyone to stay safe and healthy.

Here’s a link to paper (globaldeafresearch.org/2025/03/25/p...) authored by Alina Engelman l, Saminu Ismail, Jordan Fenlon and Lorne Farovitch.

We just published research project with the deaf community in Nigeria…GDRI’s first research publication! It’s a big milestone for us, and we’re proud to contribute to empowering deaf communities through research. Thanks to everyone who supported this project! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

This event is designed to shed light on the unique challenges faced by Deaf adult immigrants, particularly in literacy education that we are seeing around the province. This is to help you to understand data and how it can support you as a practitioners. To register: bit.ly/deafglobal

We're excited to be moving into the planning phase for our next long-term research deployment in Dominican Republic! Please, consider donating. This will support the collection of data that will have a positive impact on the lives of the deaf people in the Dominican Republic. givebutter.com/5Wqc8R

The Global Deaf Research Institute is looking for volunteers especially those who are film editor, grant writer, content creator, social media manger, and bookkeeper. If you’re eager to contribute, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Thank you, Nathaniel Humpal, for writing this great article to raise awareness about three amazing deaf organizations (Global Deaf Research Institute, Atomic Hands, and Deaf Worlds) that have been doing important work! www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/new-...

Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is essential, yet many Deaf Nigerians struggle to get them daily. At GDRI, we’re committed to changing this by ensuring that everyone can enjoy fresh, nutritious food every day through data.

We are at the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Disability Conference. Presenting findings from our research on the systematic barriers and basic human rights challenges faced by deaf communities in Ecuador. Aiming to share this data to support informed advocacy and drive policy change.

Too many Deaf Nigerians feel they're not getting enough to support their health needs. At GDRI, we’re committed to bridging this gap and ensuring that everyone has access to the nourishment they deserve through data.

Affordable, healthy food is a right, not a privilege. Yet, Deaf Nigerians often face tough choices. At GDRI, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the nutrition they deserve through data.

Please donate on December 3rd to participate Giving Tuesday to support deaf community all over the world! https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/deaf-community-research/

No one should be without clean water. Yet, this is the daily reality for many Deaf Nigerians. At GDRI, we’re committed to making clean water accessible to all, ensuring that no one is left behind through data.

Participate Giving Tuesday on December 3rd by donating to support deaf community all over the world! www.globalgiving.org/projects/deaf-community-research/

Since September, GDRI has been in Ecuador working with deaf/disability-serving organizations and the local deaf community to gather data on accessibility, quality of life, and basic rights. We'll be here until January building a foundation through data for meaningful change.

No one should go hungry. Yet, many deaf Nigerians face this harsh reality daily in the fight for food. At GDRI, we’re committed to breaking these barriers, ensuring access to nutritious food, and empowering the deaf community to build a secure future through data.