Plans for Secondary Program Initiatives

From August 19-27, 2009 Ms. Dela Torre (CEAD Director) and Ms. Nora Shannon (PEN International Senior Project Associate) conducted series of meetings with a number of Deaf students, Deaf and hearing faculty of SDEAS, including a select number of students, faculty, interpreters and administrators of some high schools for the Deaf. These schools were: Philippine School for the Deaf, Bible Institute for the Deaf and the Adult Night HS of La Salle Greenhills.

The rationale of the visit was to do data gathering of the needs and concerns of Deaf students and the Deaf and hearing faculty who are involved in the secondary and post-secondary education of the Deaf in the Philippines.

Through the extensive assistance of the top administration of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, Ms. Nora Shannon had an opportunity to not only meet with the target participants but she also met up with the CSB administration, experience Philippine culture, and celebrate with the SDEAS Deaf community through dance and laughter.

The 7-day visit had the following activities:

Meeting with CSB Administrators and Tour of Campus



Meeting with SDEAS and SHRIM Administration



Site visit of SHRIM faculty in their FSL Class and Dinner with Br. President, VCA Bob Tang, SDEAS and SHRIM administration





Consultation meeting with select SDEAS Faculty and Administration



Consultation meeting with select SDEAS Deaf students



Consultation meeting with Dr. Therese Bustos of UP SPED, Advocate and Interpreter of the Deaf



A weekend encounter with Silent Odyssey



A weekend of relaxation



Tour of select Schools with Deaf programs and Conversations with their administration, faculty and students



Farewell Gathering for Nora