Many refugees and immigrants struggle to adjust to their new lives in the United States. They do this often with the help of many organizations. For those who are Deaf or very hard of hearing, that adjustment can be much more difficult. Some, because of greater communication challenges, remain extremely isolated for years after their other family members and friends have received benefits, education, jobs, health care, and new relationships.
DeafCAN!’s Refugee, Immigrant, & Asylee program is currently the only such program in all of Pennsylvania that focuses entirely on those refugees and immigrants who are Deaf or very hard of hearing. We currently provide FREE weekly classes and case management in both West Chester and NE Philadelphia.
The focus of these classes is on the teaching of English and American Sign Language, American culture, American Deaf Culture, and naturalization (citizenship interviews). We also assist with life concerns such as food, shelter, employment, assistive technology, and financial assistance/management. To date, we have worked with almost 35 different countries and have helped 13+ people achieve US citizenship these past few years.
If you are interested in learning more about these services, either for yourself or someone you know, please contact our Program Director, Bill Lockard, at BillLockard@deafcanpa.org or 484-477-6489. We are available to visit individuals in their homes or in their communities and provide free initial evaluations.
DeafCAN! is a participating member of the PRHC, Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative. With members of a recently formed Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) Refugee/Immigrant/Asylee (RIA) national coalition we assembled a D/HH RIA DeafFACTsheet to be referenced as a primer for immigration/resettlement agencies.