Discovering Deaf Worlds to Lead Philanthropic Travel Opportunity in Southeast Asia

March 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Rochester, NY – Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is collaborating with socially conscious travel organization GoPhilanthropic to launch its second Journey to Cambodia and Thailand this summer from August 7 – 17, 2011. These Journeys are a unique opportunity for deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing people to come together, engage in local Deaf communities, and explore the culture, language, landscape and adventures these countries have to offer. “Cambodia changed my life!” said 2010 DDW Journey participant Mike Mazzaroppi. “I plan to return every two years to volunteer.”

In between visits to World Heritage Site Angkor Wat in Siem Riep, Cambodia, and Bangkok’s Grand Palace, participants will engage in the work of four local deaf advocacy organizations. Establishing a deaf club in all 76 provinces of Thailand and supporting deaf youth in Cambodia to achieve financial independence through vocational training are two projects that tour participants will learn about and support on this journey.

In addition, local deaf or signing guides will lead this tour, providing accessibility in English, American Sign Language, Thai, Thai Sign Language, Khmer, and Cambodian Sign Language.

DDW recently returned from its first journey to Costa Rica where participants visited a black light and dance performance with Fernando Centeno deaf school and zip-lined through the cloud forest outside Arenal Volcano. “DDW provided barrier-free communication to all deaf and hard of hearing travelers,” said Wendy Dannels, Journeys participant and professor at National Technical Institute of the Deaf (NTID). “A rare gem!”

Additional participants from Australia, England, Germany and USA joined DDW in pioneering this program. The ten-day tour culminated with life-long cross-cultural friendships having a shared common goal – to support the local deaf association in Costa Rica, ANASCOR, and preserve LESCO, Costa Rica’s native sign language.

Registration for DDW’s Journey to Thailand/Cambodia is open until June 24, 2011. All are welcome to join, though the tour group size will be limited to a maximum of 15 persons.

For more information, please contact DDW International Programs Director, David Justice at (585) 234-8144 or djustice@discoveringdeafworlds.org; or visit the website: www.discoveringdeafworlds.org/programs/journeys/thailand-cambodia

# # #

Discovering Deaf Worlds, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering deaf people in developing countries, strives to advance the capacity of local deaf communities around the globe to meet their social, educational and employment needs.